The age-herald., 1900-04-23
M'KINLEY SPEAKS
 OF MISSIONARIES
Delivers an Address to the Ecu
 nemicaI Conference.
RECEIVED AWARM WELCOME
President Said That the Missionaries Should be Considered as Among
 the Worlds Grestest Heroes.
 Their Work of Education

New York, April 22-President and Mrs. Mckinley, the presidents secretary, G. B. Cortelyou; Dr. P. M. Rixey and A. J. Leonard arrived in this city yester- day. They were driven to the Manhat- tan hotel, where they were met by Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Brown of the hospitality committee of the Ecumencal conference; W. Shawk, Morris K. Jessup. Cornelius F. Bliss, Abner Mckinley, Mrs. Abner Me Kinley and Walcott Jackson.
 In the evening an enormous crowd of people went to Carnegie hall in the hope of getting admission to the national well come extended to the delegates on behalf of the nation by President Mckinley. Nearly 5000 persons were present. At the main entrance crowd of several hundred people assembled, attracted by a desire to see the president.
 The president, escorted by members of the conference committee and a police escort of six mounted men, reached the hall at o'clock. The party alighted at the rear entrance and in this way escaped the crowd which was in front.
 Governor Roosevelt and ex-President Harrison arrived about the same time.
 The president, Mir Harrison, Mrs. Har- rison MT. and Mrs. Lucien c. Warner, Governor Roosevelt, Bishop Potter and Morris K. Jessup came upon the stage to- gether.
 Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Brown, secretary of the Presbyterian foreign board, introduced Morris K. Jessup who then introduced Bishop Potter, and the latter offered prayer.
 The Presidents Speech
 
 Kinley who awaited for some moments until the applause died out. He spoke as follows:
 MT. Chairman, Members of the Ecumen- ical Conference, Ladies and Gentlemen Words of welcome are unnecessary here. This representative gathering-this earn est and sympathetic assemblage presided over by one of Americas most illustrious statesmen, General Harrison, is the bes. welcome one could receive. q am glad of the opportunity to offer, without stint, my tribute of respect to the missionary effort which has wrought such wonderful triumphs for civilization.
 "The story of Christian missions is one of thrilling interests and marvellous re- suits The sacrifices of the missionaries for their fellow men constitute one of the most glorious pages of the worlds history. The missionary, who devotes his life to the service of the Master and men, carrying
  serves the gratitude and homage of kind. The noble self-effacing, willing minds of peace and good will should be 1 classed with the worlds heroes. Yielding the sword of the spirit, they have con quered ignorance and prejudice They | have been the pioneers of civilization. They have illumined the darkness of idolatry and superstition with the light of intelli- 1 gence and truth They have been mes sengers of righteousness and love. They have braved disease and danger and death | and in their exile have suffered unspeaka- ble hardships, but their noble spirits have never faltered. They count their labor no sacrifice.
 It is a Privilege Away with the word in such view and with such test" says David Livingston. Tt is emphatically no sacrifice; it is Il privilege. They furnish examples of forbearance and fortitude, of patience and unyielding purpose and of a spirit which triumphs not by the force of might, but by the majesty of the right. They are placing in the hands of their brothers, less fortunate than themselves, the keys which unlock the treasures of knowledge and open the mind of noble aspirations for bet ter conditions. Education Is one of the in- dispensable steps of mission enterprise, and in some form must precede all success full work.
 "rhe labors of missionaries always diff fcult and trying, are no longer so perilous as in former times. In some quarters 1n- difference and opposition. have given place l to cooperation. A hundred years ago many of the fields were closed to mission ] ary effort. Now almost everywhere is the 1 open door, and only the map of the world | now marks the extent of their thought and action. Who can estimate their value | to the progress of the nations? Their con- l tribution to the onward and upward march i of humanity is beyond all calculations. "They have inculcated industry. They 1 have promoted concord and amity, and brought nations closer together. They l have made men better
 | May this great meeting rekindle the l spirit of missionary ardor and enthusiasm | to go teach all nations; may the field never l lack "a succession of heralds who shall l carry on the task-the continuous procla- 1 nation of His gospel to the end of time.
 The president read his address His reference to General Harrison as one of the greatest statesmen of America | was heartily applauded
 Governor Roosevelt made a brief address and received an ovation.
 General Harrison then spoke few words thanking President Mckinley and Govern l or Roosevelt for coming to the opening of | the convention. This was followed by the | benediction, pronounced by Dr. Judson | Smith. The president, the governor and | General Harrison remained on the plat | form for a short time and met many of | the delegates.