Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-24

American people have a great destiny. They
are the people of the future who are to aid
most in doing Gods will In the world"
But doctor. many say that we are going
to the dogs. They claim that we are po-
litically and socially corrupt; that we have
gotten beyond redemption and good way
down on the other Side?"
Il don't believe it. We have scandals,
it is true and there are tales and evidences
of corruption unearthed. That is no reason
why we should despair or grow pessimistic.
Those scandals are only the outward evil
dences that we are still in the rashness Of
our youth, and not that we have lost sight
of our ideals The country is all right and
the people are all right. We are now hav-
ing a mud bath, which smells to heaven
but from which in the end we shall emerge
with our social, political, financial and in
dustrial bodies healed of their present sores
and made pure and clean. 1 am not afraid
of the American people"
A Word About immigration.
Eyes, doctor, but how about the foreigners
who are coming in such hordes from Eu-
roper
There is no reason to be alarmed about
that. They will be swallowed up in the
great sea Of Americanism and in time will
make good citizens. These immigration
streams may be compared to those which
flow down the hills into the ocean. Some
of the streams are loaded with filth some
tainted with corruption, but all are swal-
lowed up and the ocean itself is pure.
know that many Of our immigrants come
from the lower classes of humanity. Some
are ignorant and some vicious, but our
great national body will absorb them and
still maintain its purity and individuality
There is nothing like the recreative infiu-
ences of American liberty. The immigrant
begins to change the moment he resolves to
come to u.s. When half way across the At
lantc he throws his apron and the word
master into the sea and remains free there
after"
Robert Collyer VS.. Doctor osler.
The conversation here turned to the theory
Of DR.. Osler that man should be chloro-
formed at about sixty, as his efficient work.
ing life is then over, and I asked DR.. Coll
yer as to the years during which he was at
his best He replied:
II think did well until after was sew
enty I was In continuous work until that
time, and I have been preaching more or
less ever since. My best years were from
the time I entered the Unitarian Church
until year or so after the Chicago fire.
The strain of that was such that 1t affected
my constitution, and since then I have had
to work more slowly and carefully. Still,
my work has been steady. and I believe
that during the greater part of my life ii
has been as good work as I could do. II
man can sleep eight hours and eat three
full meals every day, their Is no reason
why he should not continue his work until
mon sense and moderation
Il heard you preach yesterday, DOCTOR"
said /, land II seemed to me that your
voice was as clear and your articulation as
distinct as when first heard you in All
SOULS Church over twentythree years ago.
The sermon was equally good and your
reading Of the Bible was In itself SER
mon."
Il am glad you thought that" replied DR..
collyer. land am glad you told me 50.
want to know how I am doing and to avoid
the mistake of holding on after I should
stop. I now preach only occasionally and
am always looking for signs of decay
Still. my health is good" continued tho
octogenarian preacher. "and am hoping to
go to England, as I want to see the old
country once more. There II only one thing
don't want to do that. This Is my home
my country; and 1t Is here want to be
buried. My real working life has been In
the United States and for II. Here my chill
dren were born and here my wife died
When I pass away want to be placed be-
side her In the beautiful cemetery at Wood
lawn"
From the Anvil to the Pulpit.
During our conversation Dr. Collyer told
me how he became preacher. His father
was Methodist. and he was brought up
under the shadow OF John Wesley. He was
twenty-five years old when he was CON
verted, and 1t was shortly after that that he
thought well of him and licensed him as
local preacher. This was about two years
before he came to America. He continued
his preaching while working at his trade
here. and In time began to act as supply
In the Unitarian Church. 1t was about then