Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-29
CLOSING SESSION
Continued from Page One.)

and prayer by Rev. +. A. Flint of War
rem. and ln anthem by the choir, me
speaker Of the evening, Rev. J"hh
Bascom. ID. d.. l.. l.. D., OF Wiliiams
College, was int oduced. and delivered
a powerful address upon the subject OF
The Present Religious Crisis.
Rev Dr. Bascom spoke Ill part as
follows:
There is u feeling that we have
reached a critical period i'll our rel1Si-
Gus faith, that there are Influences
steadily undermining ii and which
threaten its overthrow. While there is
some truth in this sentiment there is
ALSO much assumption and cXaggera-
ticn. Those who entertain ii. imagine
that the direction of the world is much
more at thoir disposal than 1t really is.
The last thorGht of the last philoso-
rherS. of the lat st theory of TIE latest
scientist. las about as much TO 10 with
the faal issue OF tn" church, as
single leaf on Il magnificent tree has
TO do with it's fortunes. The tree has
encountered the frosts. and borne the
SHOWS. and met the whirlWindS of
many seasons. and come out of them
unsca:hed II will not now perish be-
cause II few leaves have withered.
We rave to deal not with the Spccu-
latiOnS Of speculative minds. but with
tie thoughts of practical mon t0ssct;
about amd beatc. upon by their owl.
gri"fs and acknowledgements and by the
wrongs Of their fellow men
Religion springs up like seed on the
soil, between darkness and light, and
like seed viii Eerminatc as long as
earth and air minister tu il.
SO long as We attach impprt.Hcr to
human history ana feel that here lie
the great courts Of the world. 80 long
We shall rot be diSheartcned by any
attack on III" principles Whic, lavG
made and are making mans life il
lustriuiiS. w stand with )Sc potent
Impulses. which have brought 1T least
4 par,ill redemption among men.
While, then. We DO not bt licvc thai
the skeptiCiSm nf orr time has brought
any shock Of dissolution to the spirit
ual Wvrld, We yet recognize the fact
that thc day is ch@nEing and that the
stress Of duty IS not the same as it
was Yesterday. our time is critical.
but critical times are good times: they
Indicate that new Influences arc setting.
in ana that ii No take this tide at thu,
food il will lead IT.; on to fortune. The
Gatur" of this crisis is simply an in
Junction to so forward.
This is ,u crisis: Much to be done.
much tn he feared. much to bc gained
the red, mptiun Of great opportunity
which has oVcrtaken IT'S.
Mans life is followed up in effort It is
from life unto life. Take the most sim
pie. intclligibl" truths. the two commands
of love. or tn. simpler of tn" two, Thou
shalt love thy neigDbor as myself" II is
Ike the sea. il has many measurements.
and many places in which tho plummet
has not reached the bottom. These pain
words remain to be filled with meaning
by Il lifelong experience, by an inGuisi-
tive and dillSen; inquiry that knows no
WEAKNESS.
CndcavGrS 10 mite all CrccdS under one
head IS one Of the dreams OF the modern
reformel. But church can no more be
made than Il state can be made. This IS
the error Of socialism. The Socialist
inasincS that We're men once united in
helpful relation they will remain tOSeth-
er in manifest fellowship OF purpose.
But The fellowship of purpose must come
before that Of structure, and 50 rule il.
Here is cur way out of the religious
crisis that has come TO us OEr escape IS
through new form OF growth. We must
cease to rely upon Il creed. no matter how
carefully shaped. We are to so forward
under the Divine Providence which has
come to MS 20 perform as heS; We can
those duties which ar: marked oGt for
US and which constitute u1r immediate
service.
our thoughts and feelings will take On
a new character under this fresh form Of
S"ryi = and before VIC are aware We shall!
J." united and strengthened according %
Personal life. family life. social life. ma
tionIl life, wait on wisdom and good Will;