Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-05-01

rare.
III am conscious that some here pres
ent may think that what ! have said
has been In poor taste: that u has been
an afYront TO the object Of the meeting
or an Insult 70 the feelings OF thoss
who have called the audience together
In order that the people may know
that Am sincere In all ] have said
will say that I have placed ln the bank
the sum OF $4,000 10 be used as the
committee may deem wisest and best
In the education Of children In be
reaved homes or In any way that shall
be for the best good Of those In need
This money 10 Gods ] have robbed
him and my brother man all these
years. Whatever restitution car
make in the next few days desire &c
make.
"But the great question with us all
my friends. is not this particular disas
ter. That will In time take It's place as
one event out Of thousands 10 the daily
life Of this world. The great event OF
existence Is not death; II Is life. And
the great question of the world Ii moi
the tariff nor the silver question MOI
the labor question nor temperance nor
this nor that nor the other. The great
question of the whole world is selfish.
ness In the heart Of man. The great
command Is. Seek ye first the kingdom
of Cod II we had done that In this
town. l believe such q physical disaster
rs the one we lament would never have
happened. That ls our great need.
"If we 20 home from this meeting
resolved to rebuke our selhshness In
whatever form It is displeasing to God
and II we begin tomorrow to act out
that resolution In word and deed, we
shall revolutionize this town In Its
business, its politics. its church, ita
schools, its homes. n we simply allow
our emotions to be stirred. our sympa'
thies to bs excited to the giving OF q
little money on this occasion. II will dc
us and the community little permanent
good. God wants complete trans.
formation In the people Of this nation
Nothing less than complete regenera'
tiou can save 10 from destruction. On.
cousecrstsd. selfish money and selfish
education, selfish political power asd
selfish genius In art, letters and diplo.
macy will sink us as a people into a
gulf of annIhilation. There Is no saliva.
ton for us except In Jesus Christ. Let
US believe In him and live In him.
81 have said my message. ! trust
you have understood 1t. l would not
say otherwise II knew that | should
step of this platform now and stand
before the judgment seat Of Christ.
God help us all to do our duty! Time
is short; eternity Ii long. Death Is
nothing; life 10 everything"
Five years after this speech Of Rob
ert Hardy to the people Of Barton IL
the town hall one who was present 10
the audience described the sensation
that passed through II when the speak
er sat down to be like distinct eiec
tric shock which passed from seat d
seat and held the people axed and
breathless a. II they had been smitten
Into images Of stone.
The effect on the chairman Of the
meeting was the same. He sat motion
less. Then q wave Of emotion gradual
" stirred the audience. and without q
word Of dismissal they poured ont OF
the building and scattered to their
homes.
Robert found George waiting for
him. The father was almost faint
with the reaction from his address
George gave his arm. and the tive
walked home In silence.
We must pass over hastily the events
Of the next day In Robert Hardys lifs'
The whole town was talking about bid
surprising address Of the night before
Some thought hs was crasy. Other
regarded him a. sincere. but after the
6rst eject Of bis speech bad worn "a
thsy criticised him severely tor pcs