The Topeka state journal., 1899-05-18
FROM JOSHUA TO M'KINLEY
Force is the Argument Of Savages,
Says DR.. Wallace Radcliffe.

Minneapolis, May 18.-Soon after II
| o'clock this morning the opening ser
vice of the 110th annual assembly of the
Presbyterian church in the United
States was celebrated in Westminster
church. Almost all of the nearly 700
commissioners were present and the
galleries of the spacious church were
crowded with spectators.
The musical and responsive services
We're as follows:
Organ voluntary, Doxology, anthem,
responsive reading from the Psalmer.
hymn, Scripture lesson, prayer, offer
tory hymn.
After these services, which were very
impressive, the Rev. DR.. Wallace Rad
cliffe of Washington, D. c., the retiring
moderator, delivered the opening SER
mon.
After the sermon a recess was taken
until 2:30 when the organization of the
assembly was taken up.
During the morning there was much
canvassfng in the interests of the sew
eral candidates for the moderatorship.
The election of the moderator was the
first business taken up after roll call in
the afternoon.
DR.. Radcliffe said in part:
Ideals rule the world. Spain had
dreams, and she reels toward chaos.
America had visions, and she marches
moves from meanness to nobleness,
from limitations to enlargement, from
subjugation to freedom, from sin to
grace-not so much by SylIogiSm and
argument as by the distinct and radiant
vision. The redemption of humanity is
in the awakened perception and vivid
conquest was because of inspired vision.
When the disciples say one to the other,
we have seen the Lord their hearts
burn within them, and their lives glow
with service and sacrifice.
IF there be anxiety or fear, if there
be lack of faith and faithful service, if
materialism threatens and chills our
life, or inf1delity in new forms insinu-
ates doubt or marshals mighty attack,
if in any way, life doctrine or or
dinance have threat or anxiety, the re-
dress must still be in the restoration of
the Divine vision. Look unto me and
be ye saved
He is the Son of God with power.
His is the name which is above every
name He moves with authority and
glory in the midst of the golden candle
sticks. He wears the gold ring set with
byrl, the seal ring of Jehovah
1T is significant to recognize the five
epochaI events of the past year, in each
of them the pointing finger of the
Mediatorial king-the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, the Anglo-American friend
ship, the czar's proposal for peace, the
reformation of China, the opening of
the Soudan; liberty, unity, peace
redemption. Christ is uplifting the cur
tain never before to human gaze
The most significant century of history
is closing: the most significant oppor-
tunity of history is opening. The pulse
of a new life, the omnipotence of new
ideas. the expectation of awakened
hope thrill and summon the distant and
burdened nations. In the east the sun
does not rise; it leaps above the hori-
zon- The dawn has suddenly come be-
fore our astOnished gaze. We are liv-
ing in the golden age of humanity. The
beams of the sun of righteousness
CLEANS into open doors of the north, to
the south. to the east, to the west.
Today we convene, the peace con-
gress meets in the capital of Holland.
The very call is the echo of Christs
prayer: Thy kingdom come In the
presence of these opportunities, the
church cannot be careless. We dare not
refuse obedience. He calls to sub
jugation. Force is the only argument
known to savages from Joshua to Nc
Kinley. The earth must be subdued
that it may bring forth the rose and
fruit and the tree of life whose leaves
are for the healing of the nations. Our
national life has new impulse and daz-
zling ambition. We are looking from
our provincialism. We have made war
for humanity. We have conquered for
humanity. The victory will be a de-
feat and that endowment poverty and
destruction, save as through these open
doors the church shall Immediately and
enthusiastically carry the vision of
Jesus Christ. I see peace, white fields,
inviting doors of commerce, liberty and
enlightened races; but L see them all l
beyond the cross There is no other
perialism, but an Imperialism that is
a beneticent republcanism. 1 believe
in war for humanity, but in war for
humanity that carries to humanity the
enduring peace and good will of the
Gospel of Christ. We can not escape
responsibility. This is not the time for
swollen ease. If we daily another will
dominate If we evade, the sceptre will
fall from US. We have come into the
kingdom for such time as this. Ha-
wall, Cuba, Porto Rico, the Philippines
these are the summons of our Media
torial king. The man of Macedonia |
waves and calls. This is not the day
for microscopic vision We have wait
ed long over material considerations
and delicate distinctions and refined
determinations We are tempted to
see and consider only the little circle
which bounds the domestic the comfor-
table the polite. 1t is the day for tel
escopic vision. A wide horizon, high
achievements, beatific prospects, stars
of magnitude and brilliance, worlds of
spiritual wealth await and invite our
enterprise and conquest. 1t is not the
time for retrenchment. To retrench is
to retrograde. Our Mediatorial king
commands now as never before. OPP
portunities gleam with the glory of His
presence. Indifference is dislOyalty-
Apathy is sin. There is especial obliga-
tion upon US. American republicanism
has it's mould and inspiration from
PRESBYTERIAN repu blicanism American
Imperialism must have it's counterpart
in Pres byterian Imperialism which VIII
awaken TO the significance of itself
which will recognize its own fitness and
opportunity, and in the diStinctneSs and
responsibilities of it's life, go forth
and carry its republican beneficence,
its spiritual republicanism, it's divine
spiritualness to the end of the EARTH"
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