The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-03
MEETING
Of Christian Endeav-
ors at Boston.
18TH ANNIvE RSARY.
The President Sends Greet
ings to DR.. Clark.

Boston, Feb. 2.-The 18th anniversary
of the founding Of the Christian En-
deavor Society was celebrated in Ire
mont Temple this evening by nearly
5000 people, representing the Christian
Endeavor of New England
Rev. DR.. Francis E. Clark, founder of
the society, was the special guest, and
he made ringing address on THE at
titude of the young Christian toward
the territorial expansion of the United
States'
DR.. Clark said: Expansion is an APP
propriate note struck on the 18th ami
versary of the birthday of Christian
Endeavor, for expansion has been it's
WatchWord and expansion has been it's
business during every day of these Is
years of its history. The first society
expanded from the pastors parlor, I'M
I'll 1T covered almost the whole world.
Russia, the last great country which
barred out the Christian Endeavor has
within the last few weeks found a place
for at least one society. So it is appro-
pirate on our anniversary to consider
the burning question Of expansion. The
Christian Endeavor has always en-
deavored to look at these things from
a Christian standpoint. In the discuss
sion OF this question, unless we APP
proach it from a Christian standpoint.
it will be forever settled wrongly. If
we do for Cubans, the Porto Ricans, the
Filipinos, what Christ would have us
90; we shall do the right and eternal
glory and honor will come to our nation
as a consequence. The very reason why
this problem is now confronting us, the
very reason why these fair islands have
fallen from the nerveless grasp of
Spain, is that she has forgotten our
Lords golden rule. She has exploited
these subject races for her own benefit;
she has taxed them and oppressed them
and her corrupt politicians have fat
tened at the colonial crib. If with this
spirit and purpose our nation enters
upon an age of conquest and uses the
Wonderful victories of 1898 simply to
promote her greed for territorial con-
guest and her lust for commercial gain,
she will deserve and will receive the
fate of Spain at the hands of Just and
righteous God.
Our mother country, Great Britain,
is shining example in all the worlds
history of advantage to just and gem
erouS treatment toward subject people
and backward races. [ do not saw that
we should emulate England's example
and acquire colonies in all parts of the
world, but L do say that whatever is
done, we. cannot escape from our re-
sponsibilitieS or scuttle away from our
obligations. These ten millions of peo-
pie are in truer sense than ever be-
lore our neighbors and brothers Shall
we ctvilfze them and Christianize
them? Shall we give them good laws.
and see that justice prevails within
their borders? These are more impor-
tant questions to decide than even the
ratification of the treaty of peace, or
the disposition Of the islands to which
the treaty refers.
1t is for young people of America to
answer these questions in some meas
ure. If We seize our opportunity, if we
as nation do our duty, if we apply the
golden rule to the Cubans and the Fill
ipinos, our children's children will look
back upon the expansion of this Christ
like kind as the years of our greatest
glory
Rev DIR. George c. Lorimer pastor
of fremont Temple, made an anti-ex-
pansion address.
Rev. DR.. George Lorimer spoke as
follows The most magnificent piano.
rama Of imperial expansion that ever
dazzled the imagination was presented
by Satan to Christ when ne offered
him all the kingdoms of the world, and
yet the Master declined To many peo-
pie his rejection of such an empire
must seem unreasonable unpatriotic
and unphilanthropic. The scene enact
ed on the mount is finding a counter
part in these modern times. Our coun-
try stands contemplating distant pos
sessions and the arch-enemy points to
them and urges it's acquisition, and
many are in doubt whether he is an
angel of light or of darkness. Let me
try and state the situation fairly. No
one objects to the extension of Amer
lean influence, American commerce or
American institutions: no one denies
the right of the United States to ac-
quire islands or continents even pro-
vided the nation does not violate her
own constitutional provisions or the
natural rights of others But there is
large party in our land, and one in
creasing daily, that believes these adj
vantages to be worthless and indeed
impossible of realization if the at
tempt to secure them involves any act
of homage to Spain.
A policy of expansion that is not
a policy of greed and dishonor, that
does not place us in the position of re-
pudiating our past, that does not
weaken the principles of constitutional
government in our land, and that does
not drag us into militarism and entang-
ling alliances, we have no controversy
with. But to every plan or program
that fails to steer clear of this kind Of
qualification and disgrace every lover
of his country ought to say, Get thee
behind me, Satan"
While with the political settlement
Of this question we are all concerned,
there is a religious side to it. which
should specially appeal to this as
sembly. If we were assured that the
forceful possession Of the Philippines
and the assertion of sovereignty at the
expense of their liberty and honor
would afford us a large opportunity for
preaching of the word, we have no OPP
ton in the premises we dare not
sanction outrage and oppression in
this world ror the sake OF possibly
saving souls in the other. Let us re-
member that religion has never been
advanced by alliances with the state,
and that her expansion can never be
facilitated by a policy Of national ex-
pansion that is not thoroughly In har-
mony with what makes her freedom,
honor and virtue. DR.. Lorimer closed
with an earnest appeal for faithful
ness to Christian principles of prog
reSs. N'
Secretary John willis Baer read the
following telegram Executive man