Ottumwa semi-weekly courier., 1903-03-31

manner. He said that some of the old
er members of the. brotherhood could
probably explain it by the custom of
the earlier time of having certain re-
freshments that tended to make the
tongue run freer, and thus made the
toasts OF greater interest to the listen
ers.
Col. c. G. Saunders.
Col. c. G. Saunders of Council Bluffs
was the first speaker and his toast was
sparkling with wit Col. Saunders is
judge advocate on the governors staff
and is member of the Iowa senate.
He spoke in part as follows:
Mr.. Toastmaster, Brothers and
Friends: There seems to be some
doubt as to why this bountiful repast
was served before the addresses and
music were heard, but have just had
it explained to me by Dr. Craig. He
speeches should follow the dinner, that
the diners might by drinking coffee
keep awake during the speeches. 1t
is evident that Dr. Craig knows of the
sleepfulness of an Ottumwa congrega-
ton.
Church Not Without Fault.
"The subject assigned to me tonight
is Men for the Times This sub
ject is one that l shall not try
to treat in the concrete but rather
in the abstract We have gathered here
in convention to advance the cause of
our church in part but Christ's church
in general. The church has not been
without fault considering the criticisms
that have been made upon their fel-.
low men by men in the church and
even criticisms made flNm the pulpit.
Should Work Reform at Polls.
"The man of the hour should be an
earnest, consecrated churchman, one
who is not only Christian, but citi
zen as well. How often have we heard
a minister say, 4 want nothing to do
with politics. Many men of the gos-
pei will not take their place in the ad-
ministration of affairs because they
say politics is corrupt and filthy. But
to my mind you cannot live up to the
requirements of citizenship unless you
take up the burdens. Let me say to
you, my friends, politics is what has
made this country what it is today. |
say that the way to reform politics is
to 60 to the caucus and to go to the
polls. God Almighty has placed the
duty of citizenship upon the shoulders
of men, and if we want to be Christians
We must go out and work.
Christians Are Impractical.
ssIn my judgment this nation never
produced cleaner man than VIM
Mckinley, and yet I have sat in a pew
and heard him denounced as a wine
bibber. These miserable stories, al
ways uncharitable, sometimes untruth'
full, are our most telling criticisms
Many Christians are impracticable
They say they will not vote for man
because he does not belong to church
| say that we cannot reform the world
in a moment. All that can be done
is to fight evil with the best weap
ons we have We say that we are CO
workers with God, but how long dc
you suppose we would be co-workers il
/ He expected of us what we are wont
to exact from our fellow men?
No Alliance With Evil.
j ssI do not believe in an alliance will
evil. but I believe in using our bes
Influence against it. l do not believ'
j in an alliance with gambling, the sa
loon and the brothel, but | say go ou
into the world with the best weapons
at hand to fight them. The men wht
have made this country what it is to
day are the men who have devoted
their time to the country.
"The Men of the Hour"
(. ssThe men of the hour are the mel
that walk inthe light of the honda!
sun. Men who will grapple with thu
u affairs of state; men who are broat
and liberal; men who by their exam
!, pie of honest living will gather in thu
1 church the thousands the church ha
J, failed to touch. To these men whel
the death hour comes there will b.
the realizing sense Of duties well per
formed and when they pass away the.
!. will hear the words of the Master
: We'll done, thou good and faithful
5 servant ="
Mr.. Simmons Address.
The address delivered by 7. H. Sin
mons, of Cedar Rapids, was the fes
ture of the after dinner program. MI
Simmons talked upon the subjec
"Methodism in Public Life" and hi
hearers were charmed with his mattel
less eloquence and the excellent maj
ner in which his address was delive
ed. He spoke in part as follows:
Methodism and Public Life.
: .Breathes there man with soul S
e dead,
! Who never to him self hath said,
q This is my own, my native land!'
l. asBreathes there Methodist with sol
so dead,
l. Who never to himself hath said,