The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-27
CONGRE6AT|ONAlISTS
IN CONFERENCE,
Continued from Page Two }

The second session OF the conference
opened In the chapel at O'Clock yester-
day with Rev. J. j. Woolley in the chair.
and after prayer. by Rev. T. ii. Root OF
Wood River Junction Rev. Frank J.
Goodwin. pastor OF the Pawtucket Con-
gregational church, read q paper which
was especially timely and full OF elo-
quence and food for reflection. His sub
ject was THE Materialstic Temper OF
Our Age" He said in part:
las believers I'm the Gospel as optimists
by faith and choice, we must none the
less face the facts which surely point 10
the spirit OF gross materlalism of the
day.
The first indication which mark as
denoting the materialistic temper OF the
day is the cheapness with which human
life Is regarded. II civilization means
anything 1t means an increased esteem
for human life.
A CHEAP COMMODITY.
I'VE may admit that there was prob
ably some matter OF national honor or
justice back OF all wars. brt take out
the greed of conquest, the lust OF power.
the brutal tyranny OF the strong over the
weak and the history even of the fair 18th
century would be largely reduced I'm vol
ume and greatly diminished In military
glory. The life OF man Is still cheap
commodity when brutal mobs masquer-
aiding under the pure ermine OF Justice in
wild fury are lynchng negroes in increas-
Ing numbers every year
Human life Is still a cheap thins
where the beet sugar trust assays TO
starve over new wards. the Cubans, and
the Beef Trust dares TO coin gold out of
the hunger OF American citizens, both OF
which assaults would have been success
full but for the stalwart manly blows OF
that fearless champion of right, Theodore
Roosevelt.
Human life is still cheap when poverty
can make such ravages as Il does.
INCREASE OF woRLDLINEss.
"The second Characteristic which
notice as an indication of the material
stic temper OF our day is the increase
of the spirit of worldiiness and love OF
pleasure Pleasure is right in it's place
and In due proportions a light heart
Is the gift of God. Laughter is from
God and Is more TO he priced in this
world OF pain and sorrow than the jewels
OF the earth. The point l wish to en-
phasize is the growing prevalence OF the
spirit Of worldliness and the love OF
pleasure In the life OF our people.
THE love OF entertainment is rushing
into our churches. even.
"Unrestrained ambition for larger op-
portunties unsuited often to the ind-
travagance. There Is a lack OF serious
purpose among our youth. an avoidance
OF religious and moral obligations, an
easy and light hearted evasion Of respon-
stbility. Positive wrong doing and the
pursuit OF evil pleasure OF all kinds are
increasing.
Wees which were once mentioned only
with solemn gravity by scientific writer's
or IN secret by the depraved. are now
To-, ~
public press. and the purity OF our youth
is being early tainted vitiated aand de-
stroyed
ION every side premimum fs being put
on wordiness OF life OF the most pro-
nounced type and the youth who loves his
self respect. honor and cleanliness OF
heart is being made 10 feel that he is
not Thoroughly manly and up TO the times
IL he does not give himself to n life OF
dissipation and weakening pleasure.
IN SECONDARY PLACE.
Lastly the materiallstic temper OF our
day Is seen In the secondary place. which
religion is given in the thought and con-
duct OF men. Today we need plain old
fashioned love of right and shame OF
wrong doing.
The standard of private morality is
not growing higher with time. Honesty
Is none too common. Among rich and
poor an evasion OF the Just payment OF
duties or taxes Is not considered dis
honorable. even by reputable citizens.
Political corruption has now reached
such state that good men are Justly
alarmed for the welfare Of our country
Methods have changed political
thievlng which formerly was a well
guarded secret Is now open. fragrant and
defiant; franchises are seized from a
state or city without price and without
blush: new code Of morals is coming m
which makes IL possible for men OF
scrupulous private lives To join with the
politically corrupt for the securing and
maintainance of official power"
, Mr.. Goodwin's paper aroused deepest
interest on every side and was fGllwed
by discussion by Reverends McCord. Nc
Cleland, Johnson and others
THE UNCEAsING INCARNATION.
The second address OF the afternoon
was by Rev. Francis j. Van Horn OF
Worcester. Hls subject was announced
to be. The Tnceasing Incarnation In
stead. however. he substituted the topic.
The Growth of Scientific Idealtm" f"
Upon this subject ths speaker enlarged
most eloquently giving clear expiana-
a.