New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-09
DEPEUy TO BIBLE CLASS.
Tells John ID. Rockefeller, Jr. s,
Scholars of WOrldIy Wealth.

Two hundred and fifty members Of the Fifth
Avenue Baptist Church Bible Class. of which John
D. Rockefeller 1r is the leader, sat down 20 their
seventh annual dinner last night at the Hotel Ven
dome Broadway and Forty-frst-st. At the guests
table sat Mr.. Rockefeller. Senator Chauncey NJ.
Depew, the Rev. Dr. r. P. Johnston. pastor of the
Fifth Avenue Baptist Church; the Rev. W. S.
Richardson his assistant; ]. NJ. TroxeH. president
of the Bible class; William d. Murphy, the toast
master; the deacons and elders Of the church and
the officers of the Sunday School,
Senator Depew paid brief tribute to the class
and spoke of the growing Importance of wealth.
He said in part
1t gives me great pleasure to meet you here
talked about of Bible classes Your organization
has become famous because you have invited dis
young men, and stimulate and encourage them In
0uiries TO the ieIds of the clergyman but have
requested men of letters and of law OF politics and
We must learn that success has other meanings
than great wealth. There will always be men Phe-
nomenally gifted with talent for accumulation.
and Judgment TO compete for the prize or being
considered among the possessors or the largest
work and ambitions to the one object Of an enor-
nous fortune and succeeds before he dies in being
largest holders Of its wealth, he has failed In his
efforts. Simply as rich man and nothing else
of his fellow citizens who have more than he pos
consideration in the 100000 class and the $40
100000 chap is a little fellow in the s5O.OOO0O0
500, 10000 circle.
But every one who has secured a most modest
independence is a success; the rest Is accumula-
ton. A home which is owned. be II ever so hum
BILE, is independence An income which will enable
one TO live within that nome, Is larger lnde-
pendence. 1t is a wise OF time and mind. of
industry and talent, to become as far as possible
Independent of the world and provide for those
who may be left behind. but it is supreme folly
to attempt to rival and reach great fortunes and
sacrifice all the pleasures of life and all its Oppor-
tunties in the many directions open for enjoy
ment, culture and education Tor that purpose Ihere
eighty millions Of people in the United States.
of whom probably hundred thousand are mill
iOnaries, but there is no country IN the world
there are many comfortable homes and cultured
people.
The POSTMASTER then introduced John d. Rookie
Teller jr. saying: Il have to introduce one who
succeeds because he does not try to attain the
impossible" In part Mr.. Rockefeller said:
The most embarrassing moment of mans life
is. perhaps the moment when he proposes TO the
girl he loves. There has been no time IN my life
when was so embarrassed as L am al Jhe present
time. but l would be ungrateful II allowed my
embarrassment TO prevent me from expressing to
our honored guest our sincere thanks for his talk
l devoutly thankful that Senator Depew,
through his many business engagements. has been
unable TO establish Bible class in this city. On
the Sunday he opens his Bible class, all others
must close their doors. The text OF the evening
has suggested TO thought, which 1 would
like you to take away with you. and that Is the
necessity OF being in earnest Anything that worth
doing at all is worth doing Well The lie or Prest
dent Garfield illustrates this. He worked his way
fully aware OF the need of being in earnest? Are
waiting for to come TO you, are
you seeking il? Are YOU waiting for opportunities
to open the door, you forcing the door?
Short addresses were also made by the Rev w. S.
Richardson and the Rev. Rufus p Johnston.