The Portland daily press., 1899-04-28

Citizens Should Take
Part in the Primaries.
Ring Fights, Lynchings, Natur.
alizatiOn Receive Attention.

1t many years since religious union
services on Fast Day have been so largely
attended and of such absorbing interest
as those held yesterday at II O'Clock am.
In the First Free Baptist church of this
city. The spacious sanctuary was COM
pletely tilled by an audience made mp Of
people representative of the different
churches in the western end OF the city
aud behind the chapcel rails were seated
Rev. Smith Baker of the wiliiston Con
gregational church, Rev. Samuel Wor
oester Of the New Jerusalem church, Rev.
Il. S. j. Meal lister of Pine street III. IL.
church, Rev. John Carroll Perkins of the
First Parish church, Rev. Henry Blanch-
ard, d D.. of the Congress Square Uni
sersalist church, Rev. Asa Dalton, d d.,
of st. Stephens church, Rev. DR.. Wilson
of the Free street Baptist church, Rev.
Luther Freeman OF the Chestnut street
NJ. e. church, and Rev. Lewis Malvern
of the First Free Baptist church.
The services began by the singing of IA
hymn, which was read by Rev. Mr. Wor-
cester, after which came invocation by
Rev. DIR. Blanchard. Rev. Luther Free
man read from the scriptures and prayer
was offered by Rev. DIR. Wilson. Rev
MIR. McAllister read the next hymn
which was sung, and then Kew. Lewis
Malvern submitted resolutions presented
nv tie w. G. L. U. asking the President
of the United States to suspend the oper'
ations of the canteen system at army
posts, and to abolish the sails of oil In
toxicating liquor at these posts pending
a decision of the Attorney General touch
ing the legality of the Law. The resolu-
ton was adopted by rising vote after
which Rev. Smith Baker preached a SER
mon on national topics which held the
individual attention OF the large audience
from the opening TO the closing sentence.
His pointed references to ring fights. to
lynchings in the South, the Philippine
N after, the question of.suffrags and other
sutjscts of current interest were
greeted with hand clapping and at the
finish of his forceful and able address DIR.
Baker was heartily congratulated on his
happy effort. His text was taken from
kpbesians 4.2b "Ye are members one of
another"
REV. DIR. BAKERS SERMON.
Rev. DR.. Baker said:
A pure republic is still an expei iment.
The strength and perpetuity of our gov
eminent is not proven. There are tive
things a nation must be able to do in Or
der to long exist. 1t must be able to
gain It's own independent existence.
This we have done 1t must be able TO
repell an invading foe. This we have
done. 1t must be able to crush a rebellion
among it's own people This We have
done. 1t must be able to make aggres-
siye war upon other nations. This to a
certain extent we have done. But the
greatest and supreme test OF a nation
strength is its power to maintain its own
internal ethical Righteousness. This Is
the experiment, the test. This our hope.
our peril. With tie nation as with the
man, the supreme strength is character
This is the question with Nc now. The
result Is not decided.
Other republics with greater wealth, as
high culture, larger armies, more de-
fensive and aggressive power as
They did not stand the ethical test Can
W stand 1T? This is u more important
question than the tariff or national ex-
pansion,
God has made of our land general
catoh-all into which he is bringing of all
peoples, and out of which he would bring
the highest civilization. Our nation is
the words object lesson, to which HUI
manity Is looking for solution OF the
people, rights and destinies. The nations
are listening to hear the latest word
from the experiment. of II government
''of the people, for the people'and by the
people. Ours is the leadership OF the
world. The question is not simply that
of government but OF democracy, and not
only of democracy but of American dem
ocracy and not only of American demcc-
racy, but of Christian democracy. Our
example has shaken the thrones OF the old
world and Is waking up humanity i'll all
lands The common people are looking
at us and thinking. Can we maintain
our character?
God has made us the vanguard Of the
world We cannot live for our own de-
yelopment. We must lead the Onward
march OF the nations, and while we are
not to be expansionists tor cur own
agrandizement we are not TO shrink from
any work which God has for us in the ey-
olution of his plan for the advancement
of humanity. Our flag stands for the
civil and religious liberty of the nations.
There is q providence of tod above the
plans of statesmen or the schemes of
politicians or the ambition of generals,
Our greatest fear Is not from outward ex-
pansion, but from nward corruption.
OUR ELEMENTS OF STRENGTH.
What shall make us strong, able to lead
the world-able to do Gods work. First
The recognition OF common rights.
This is the corner stone and glory dem
oeracy 1t honors no man for his birth,
his wealth. or-his culture, but recognizes
the manhood OF every man be he poor or
rich. ignorant or learned, white or
black. A Christian democracy secures to
every man his rights OF life, property ana
the pursuit of happiness SO far as be does
not interfere with The same rigats IN
another man IL aims to put IN practice
tho Golden Rule of our Lord AS the
foundation Of social and political life