The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-02


ooo have been invested in church ednccs in ad.
dition to the regular expenses Of maintaining
public services. 1t is fitting TO begin our cclchra.
ton in the churches. 1t will be a calamity If it
ends in the saloons.
THE CHURCIrs PART IN CITY LIFE.
As other like services are being held today, II
is pardonablc that this discourse in its history
should dwell chiefly Presbyterian matters.
This church has horne long and honorable part
in city affairs II was founded i'm June, lN2o,
when the village contained perhaps fifteen
houses. Ten members constituted the beginning.
When the municipality was chartered in lS5l the
church was twenty-five years old and had gained
a membership VI lGi. Rev. T.. u. Willis being the
pastor lie was succeeded by Rev. r. ;. Ward.
Up 10 that time So persons had been received
members. OF these, about twenty survive,
though only two NJ them are directly connected
with this church now Since that date l,3s2 per.
sons have connected themselves with this organiz
alton, making total from tho beginning ot
l.760. We reported our membership last spring
as 507, showing that one.third Of all who have
united with this people are still in touch with
each other. As the founders of Carhondalc were
largely NJ our faith it is not surprising that Pres
hytcrians were somewhat prominent in its his
tory. In chartcrine the city 1t happened that the
chairman Of the meeting deciding to seek a
charter. the man who drew up the instrument,
the representative who secured its passage. the
FIRST mayor, tho first recorder Uhouoh not resi-.
dcnO, and the first foreman Of the grand jury
were all PrcsbytcrianS Should you read the list
Of those who have been connected with this
church you would find many of the foremost
names in our civic history.
4 MssIoNARY's INFLUENCE
Only God can measure the good wrought by
this and the other churches IN our community.
g;t,. ,,..tg -. a. ,,,I. .r,',r
than FIVE policemen. No people can flourish with.
out men and women ot upright character, and
it is the aim Of the churches 10 produce such
character One of the glories of Cs'boudalc is its
cordial friendship. Is not such friendship based
on the love which Christ inculCatcd2 To suS
gest what these churches have accomplished let
1t he said that If they and what they represent
were removed, property would deprcciate fifty
per cent in year. There Is not 4 skcptic in
town that would wish 70 stay whom religion went.
Looking over what divine grace has wrought
through men and women here, he may say We
are citizens oi no mean city
POLITICAL FAILURE or MUNICIPAL GOV.
ERNMENT.
But tho hest purpose oi the past is to be the
foundation Of a nohlcr future. Thirteen thousand
people are on the threshold nj the next half
century, time throhhing with larger pcrils
and Crander opportunities than any preceding
period. In America We have solved the problem
Of national government 10y democracy fairly
we'll, though eternal vigilance is requisite. But
our greatest political failure is municipal GOV.
ernment. It is a problem that will not down,
for there is an utterly irresistible tide setting
toward the cities Carhondale has its share Of
the gigantic enigma and Ne are the ones to con.
quer or hc conquered by il. our city cannot at
tain its highest possibilities unless every one shall
toll for the great ConSummltion.
Il 4 -.
peral sovereignty Of three laws The law Of
| service, copying the Son Of Man, who came not
20 he nnstercd unto hut to minister. is the
first. 1t is municipal treason for any man 10
refuse 70 aid in gaining tho common welfare.
The second law is that ot sacrifice dcvoting one :
self to public and private civic duties even at
heavy cost. The man who fails 10 discharge the
citizens functions because hc has no time. that
| is, his private business might suffer, should in
| poetic Justice, he deprived If the many honon
| Of the city. The third supreme law is that Of
| love. In it is wrapped uprisltncSS care OF 9th
| erS, suppression of vice. promotion NJ virtue.
J This threc.iold obligation should hc consciously
| resting on every one-Servicc, sacrifice and love.
| COUNCIL CHAMBER KEY TO MUNICIPALITY
| The key to the municipality is the council
| chamber The councilman L. expected To devote
| his time and wisdom To Cty Affairs without
| money compensation. Here is the glory aud
peril of tho office. To servo honestly, wisely,
| skillulv defeating the wrong and promoting the
| right is noble act Of patriotism. Tho peril is
| that tho temptation 10 sell his vote shall be
| Welded 10, directly or indirectly The franchise
| steals that have dsCraccd Philadelphia and .ho
state With II aIc liable to occur ~ minor dnd
| varied forms in every town The honest council.
man VIII ho often abused and will make many
enemies. let us see that he makes many friend,
| hv standing for and arpaudlng him What has
| partisan politics 10 do with our city govern,
| ment; What possible difference does II make
| whether Republican, Democrat" or Prohibition
| men frame our ordinance direct oUr educational
| matters, administer ow hcneyolcnres, lust "a
| They are honorable men
| God give Us men. The time demands
strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready
hands;
! Men whom IN" lust of office does not kill.
| Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
! Men who possess opinions and will
Men who have honor men who will not lie"
CARBONDALE WORTHY OF BETTER EDUCA
Tl0NAL FACILITIES
Carhonda'e is worthy Of better educationa
| facilities Much progress has been made. hut
| there Is possibility ri advance still Make sur,
| that the host men have the responsibilities o
| director; the best teachers are instruct'ng III,
| growing minds. But education is broader thar
the school room. Ii the Carnegie library ia los
| by default, vet us develop the one we have
| support II literally. But money alone cannot
| make library. Select the best hooks and cult
| han, ~