The San Francisco call., 1904-02-23
PASTOR LAUDS
THE JAPANESE
DR.. NJ. C. Harris Says That Rus
sia's Plots Have Been in Prog
resS More Than Thirty Years

"War in the Far East" was one of the
subjects discussed at the Congrega-
tional Ministers Association meeting
yesterday. The Rev. William RAIDER,
president, was in the chair, and the
Rev. DR.. NJ. c. Harris, whose knowI-
edge of the peoples and geography Of
the East is extensive. delivered the ad-
dress. DR.. Harris in speaking to his
brother ministers of the outbreak of
hostilities between japan and Russia
made an imDassioned speech, and at
the close of his remarks a great volley
of applause showed conclusively upon
which side the sympathy leaned.
DR.. Harris in chamDioning the course
Japan has taken said that if a nation
ever went to war in a holy cause Japan
is doing that now. He spoke from the
standpoint of personal experience and
observation, which led him to advocate
it as a righteous war.
For more than thirty years. said
Dr. Harris, Russia had plotted
/ against Japan, which, though patient
/ for a length of time, had grown worn
/ out, and failing to effect any satisfac-
/ tory relations had gone at last to war.
/ DR.. Harris said that he not only
! deemed it a righteous war. but, more
! over. he advocated that the so-called
"bogie yellow peril" should receive no
serious consideration, for the war was
being prosecuted to preserve the ma
tional integrity of japan, and not
through any desire to array the East
against Europe.
WOULD FIGHT THE RUSSIANS.
In view of the provocation to Japan.
DR.. Harris declared that he himself
would like to shoulder the gun against
Russia.
The address was not down on the
programme, and while it came in the
nature of a surprise the remarks of DR..
Harris ELECTED loud and long-continued
applause.
An able paper entitled "Rise of Cove
nant Theology was read before the as
sociation by Dean Hiram Van Kirk, in
which he traced the origin of a system
which began in the Netherlands in the
seventeenth century with Coccejus.
Dean Van Kirk showed the influence
of the system on modern thought.
Bishop Hamilton left the city last
night for the East TO attend his spring
conferences of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The Bishop will hold confer
-ence at Topeka, Kans. March 10; Bald
win. Kans.. March 16; Wichita, Kans..
March "a; Salina, Kans.i March 81, and
will return to San Francisco April 10.
Bishop Hamilton will then begin
preparations for the semi-annual gatn-
ering of the Bishops in April, which
will mark their first meeting in con-
ference in San Francisco.
PreIates of the Methodist Episcopal
church from all parts of the world
will arrive to take part in the delib
erations.
''Is Suicide a SIM" will be the sub
iect of a sermon by Rev. William
RAIDER at the Third Congregational
Church. Fifteenth and Mission streets.
next Sunday night. Rev. Mr.. RAIDER
intends to procure statistics from Coro-
ner Leland relative to the number and
causes Of suicide.
Rev. w. B. Berry, editor of the Pa
cific Christian and a member Of the
Christian Church Ministers Associa-
ton. suggested that inasmuch as the
birthdays of Lincoln and Washington
come so near together and as America
has produced so many illustrious men
a day be set apart to be designated
great mems day" allowing each com
munity to divide the hOnOrs according
to local sentiment.
Rev Mr.. Berry adds to the sugges-
ton that as Washington is first in the
history of his country and first in the
hearts of the people his birthday be
appointed for the observance of great
mems day" throughout the land.
A PASTORS SOUVENIR.
A souvenir showing the Mariners
Church pulpit, which is modelled after
the stern of the clipper ship Young
America, together with a portrait of
Rev. Joseph Rowell. who has been
pastor of the Mariners Church for
forty-five years, was received by the
Congregational Ministers Association
yesterday.
The fifteenth meeting Of the San