Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-04-23
DISTINGUISHED MEN
At Opening of Ecumenica|
Conference, New York.
Ex-Pres. Harrison Pfesides and Pres.
Mckinley One Of Speakers.
A Quiet Sunday President Attends Church
and Takes Short Drive

New York. April 2a-Ncarly every
nation in the world is represented at
the Ecumenical Conference on Foreign
Missions. which began its sessions
here. Saturday afternoon. ana Carnegie
hall. which will be the scene of the
conference. until May I. was crowded
to its greatest capacity. Former Pres
idcnt of the United States benjamin
Harrison, occupied the chair as hon
orary president ut the opening session.
and Saturday night, the delegates
We're addressed by the President of the
United States. William Mckinley. and
COY. Roosevelt Of New York state.
At the opening of the conference
there We're representatives from every
branch Of the Christian church. except
the Roman Catholic. the Greek church
and that branch Of the Anglican
church known as the Society for the
Propag cation Of the Gospel. There We're
huge maps showing the fields in which
the missionaries labor.
Ex-President Harrison. escorted by
committee. appeared on the platform
at 2.25 o'clock. He was applauded ana
bowed his acknowledgements. He at
once took his seat as presiding officer,
The Rev. Judson Smith. H. H.. rs chair
man of the general committee. intro
duced the President.
Chairman Harrison introduced Rev.
DR. II. G. Mabie Of Boston. who offered
prayer.
Gen. Harrison then delivered his
speech, reading from manuscript He
was applauded many times.
Gen. Harrison then introduced Rev.
Dr. JudsOn Smith Of Boston. VINO de-
livcred the address Of welcome. DR.
Smith spoke for half an hour. the
great audience giving him the closest
attention.
Rev. r. WardloW Thompson spoke
for the British delegation. Rev. A.
Schroeder. ID. D.. secretary Of Berlin.
responded for the German delegation.
Rev. Joseph King responded for the
Australian delegation. Rev. Jacob
Chamberlain, u. D., responded for the
In the evening. an enormous crowd
went to Carnegie hall in the hope Of
getting admission to the national wei
come extended to the delegates on be
half of the nation by President Nc
Kinley.
The President was greeted with en-
thusiasm when introduced by DR..
smith. He said:
Mr.. Chairman. members of the Ecu
mcnica Conference. ladies and gentle
ncn-Words Of welcome are unnecessary
lcre. This representative gathering. this
earnest and sympathetic assemhlage. is
your trucst and best welcome. 1t attests
he profound pleasure and satisfaction
which all of us feel that the representa-
ives of more than 200 societies engaged
n the work of foreign missions in every
,art of the globe are guests within our
gates. To them are extended the hoSpi-
ality of our homes ana the devotion OF
)ur hearts in acknowledgement ana en-
'Dura cement of their faithfulneSS and un-
fitting tho races Of men. teaching them
he truth of the common fatherhood of
iod and the brotherhood of man, and
showing that if we are not our brother s
keepers we can be our brothers helpers.
II am glad of the opportunity to offer
without stint my tribute of respect to the
;uch wonderful triumphs for civilization.
'''rhe story Of the Christian missions is
me of thrilling interest and marvellous
csuts. The sacrifices of the missionaries
or their fellow men constitute one nf
lie most glorious pages Of the world
history. The missionary. of whatever
.hurch or ecclesiastical body. who de
.otes his life to the service of the Mas |
er and Of man. carrying the torch Of
ruth ana enlightenment, deserves the |
gratitude and homage of mankind.
"'rhc roble. self-effacing, willing minis
crs of peace and good will should be |
Iasscd with the worlds heroes. Weld |
NJ the sword of the spirit. they have
onquered ignorance and prejudice: They |
ave been the pioneers of civilization |
hey have illumined the darkness Of idol |
.try ana superstition with the light of
nj diligence and truth. They have been |
messengers of righteousness and love. |
rhcy have braved disease and danger |
ma death ana in their exile have suf- |
cdc unspeakabe hardships. but their no
lie spirits have never WaVercd. They |
ount their labor no sacrifice.
AWAY with the word in such a view |
nd with such thought says David |
livingston. 1T is cmphatically no sacri-
ce. Saw rather it is q privilege They
,1rnish US examples Of forbearance and
1rtifudc. Of patience and unyielding pur-
ose. and of a spirit which triumphs. not /
Y the force of might. but by the majesty
t right. They are placing in the hands
T their brothers. less fortunate than
themselves. the keys which unlock the
rrasures of Knowledge and open the
ind to noble aspirations for better edu-
&c re 70 4