The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-06
DR.. CRIFF|S
DELIVERS
SERMON
Famous Clergyman and Author
Of Works on Japan Spoke at
B0nefiC0nt Church Yesterday

There WAS an interested audience at the
Beneficient Congregational church on
Weybosset street yesterday morning TO
listen 20 the sermon which Rev. william
Griffis, d. D., Ph. d., of Ithaca, n. Y.
was 10 deliver
Taking his text from Pauls epistle, 10
the Philippians, Ills, DR. Grifs said IN
part:
IF you and l had been in Jerusalem
in the time OF its power we should have
been struck by the cumbrousness OF the
way 10 God. IL is no wonder that the
Apostle Paul, saw that this complexity
was unnecessary, and that Christ struck
against every vested Interest, sweeping
away the politicians and the forms OF the
Jewish church.
Let us this morning learn a lesson
from wireless telegraphy. II Is a won
derful story since the Greek child rup-
bed the cats back on a dark cool even
ing, drawing therefrom sparks II was
a wonderful thing when Moses Farmer
actually demonstrated most OF the things
that Edison has since brought to pass.
IL is wonderful thing TO see how the
knowledge of the great force has develop
ed In man. They thought at first that
4 was on the points. later in the air.
but now they know that Il is everywhere.
so II has been In religion. II isn't In
Jerusalem. IL isn't this creed, this theory.
IL is everywhere and man may commu-
nicate with God wherever he may be.
God is a spirit. always ready on this
planet. or any other, 10 help and bless
us. Whatever 9 true IN Rhode Island
is true everywhere else. man wants
TO live with the spirit OF Jesus. This doc
trine of wireless telegraphy with God was
e,.N. a IL.
pharisees. 1t was the doctrine OF Jesus
Christ
SPIRITUAL DETACHMENT.
Let us look at the principle of spir-
itual detachment as IL Is worked out in
the life of Jesus Take for example the
boy who is brought up in rural district.
lngs. when he comes out of his humble
world he is obliged to make a new stan
dard OF life. A still grander Illustration
happy is he who reaches middle life and
his spirit has not grown. Each day we
ind that ambition takes new flights. and
that we are not satisfied with what was
then that Paul. having all that a young
man might desire, could call himself
Puritan. Having all that he could hope
for or desire. he caught the heavenly
vision. He cast away all his alluring
prospects TO seek the righteousness that
Is In Christ 1t is very much the same
amusements. An old pastor could tell OF
the change there is in the young people
OF today. There Is no examination. no
question OF doctrine but Can go TO the
dance or the theatre? is the question
that they ask but you must remember
that II you give yourself To dances and
the theatre you can never become stall
wart Christian.
There are a great many Christians
who never get any farther in the Chris
tan world than to just walk out around
ha oil fnN NJ evfx f1nF T1t.aa t.. la
attractions OF this world. Our forefath-
ers placed their trust I'm God and braved
the dangers Of the unknown sea and land
footsteps. in so far as they worshipped
and trusted God Let us approach the
Lord in that spirit With no incense or
candles, no uniformed priests, but heart
to heart"
A WELL KNOWN AUTHOR.
Rev Dr william Elliott Grinis is au-
thor OF the "Mlkado's Empire" and OF
other well-known books and was born In
Philadelphia IN 1913
Dr. Grieis was educated I'm the city \
schools ~ Philadelphia. and at % he be- 7
came n student at Rutgers college. being I
graduated in the class OF GO with the de- I
gree OF a. u. Later he was made an A /
NJ by his Alma Mater. and also received \
thedegrec u u. n from Union college. I
Rutgers made him an l.. " II. In 1899
About the time Japanese students were
coming TO this country I'm large numbers
DR.. Griffis became much Interested In
their condition and formed acquaintanccs
with many 81 them In 1870 there came
m application from japan for young men
totcnch physical science IN that country
md ono of the most progressive OF the
feudal rulers. Matsudalra Echizen no
KANT. invited DIR Grifis 90 enter tho
work. lie accepted the call and organized
! school cr the American plan az Fukai
md for year lived alone In that strange
Witnessing sights never before
'een by an American.
After the old fe1dal system was broken
~ DR. Griffis proposed 10 the japanese
Minister cf sdIcation that polyteshnic
chool he established and ne was invited
o undertake the plan. In the meantime
10 was invited TO tho chair OF physical
ciences In the Imperial University.