Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-22
Large Audience Hears Him.


Solution of all the woes of a people
and a nation is found by Hon. William
Jennings Bryan in the application of
the commandment, Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself'-the injunc-
ton of the Prince of Peace. Mr.. Bryan
spoke last evening at the First Meth
odist church under the auspices of the
Rock Island Young Mems Christian as
SOciatiOn. His lecture was a supple
mented number to the regular enter
tainment course offered during the
winter by the association. Mr.. Bryan
gave his new lecture, "The Prince of
Peace" He had intended delivering
The Value of An IDEAL" the one he
has been using mostly during his tour,
but made the change when informed
that he had been billed here to give
1.-THE Prince of Peace" The auditori-
um of the church was filled. The dis
tinguished Nebraskan was accorded an
ovation when he walked to the plat
form. and his sentiments were fire.
quently interrupted by applause. He
was introduced by Hon. William Jack
son. Mr. Jackson said that Mr.. Bryan,
a fact probably not generally known to
the people of the city, once stood as the
champion of Rock Island, not political
ly, but in a fight of several years that
eventuated in a victory for the city
that which was waged for the removal
of the headquarters of the Modern
WoOdmen society from Fulton to Rock
Island. 1t was Mr. Bryan who present
ed the claims of Rock Island at the
head camp meeting of the society in
1892, when the society voted in favor
Of this city. He began the fight in be-
half of Rock Island Mr. Jackson felt
that it was superfluous to introduce
one so widely known to the people as
Mr.. Bryan. and only could express the
pleasure that he felt in sharing in the
treat of listening to the golden truths
that he would eXpound in his discourse.
Years Aid Moral development
Mr. Bryan said doubtless it was a
surprise to many of his auditors to
think of him, in view of the part he
had assayed in political activity, de-
voting himself to peaceful topic. But
while the people might disagree in
various lines of thought, political and
otherwise, it was easy to bring them
together when they joined in going
down to the foundation of the general
proposition on which they had been
divided in discussion of surface merits.
He believed as one grew older he
strengthened in moral development.
He disagreed with the Osler theory as
70 the stagnation of man at 40 and his
worthlessness at so. He had passed
the former limit himself but he be-
lieved himself good for at least 10
years more of active work There was
10 time limit on spiritual or moral de-
velopment. No man would ever out
grow the necessity of religion. Fear of
God was the beginning of religion.
Some have rejected the christian re-
ligiOn because they could not under
stand its mysteries and it's miracles"
said Mr. Bryan. Il passed through a
period of skepticism when 1 was in
college. but / have seen outside of the
bible so many things more marvellous
han anything recorded in holy writ
hat its mysteries no longer disturb
ne. Is it impossible that a multitude
could have been fed with a few loaves
and fishes? Every spring. when the
sun melts the ice and drives away the
now. vegetation springs up and not
= few thousands, but hundreds of mil
ions, are fed with the products of the
oil
Mystery of Vegetation.
And how many of those who eat
are satisfied they understand the chem
stry Of the vegetable? / plant some
iced myself in the springtime-lettuce
seed, melon seed, various kinds Of
seed. The earth grows warm beneath
he rays of the sun; the seeds burst
'orth and send their little roots down