The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-11

them the spirit of love and justice; If
they do not have in their breasts the
spirit of divine law, there is little
hope of enduring concord.
The Christian church is doing much
for peace everywhere; much for the
preservation of good order among the
nations of the earth. We are spend
ing millions upon millions to keep our
armies and navies abreast of our ma
tional needs. We are spending sums
annually which would impoverish
many governments, in preparing to
vindicate the national honor upon land
and sea, would occasion require. But
we find in the quiet influence of the
church more potent agency for the
preservation of international peace
than the strongest military and naval
forces of the most powerful govern
ments upon this earth. The church
demands that the cruel sacrifice of
life and property by war shall cease.
1t insists that the methods of adjust
ing differences between nations shall
be an improvement upon the old meth
barous peoples. The church stands
with intelligent firmness for the deter
mination of international questions in
the tribunal of reason. 1t believes in
the potency of moral suasion. 1t be-
lieves more in the efficacy of debate
in the supreme chamber where JUS
tice presides than in the appeal to
might which is made upon the field.
Among the many beneficent in
fluences which Methodism has set In
operation, there is nothing which has
better claim to our consideration than
its educational institutions, its col
leges and universities. Young men
and young women, educated within
their wholesome atmosphere carry in
to the world the high ideals which
were there inculcated. These institu-
tions are not only doing very impor-
tant work, but many of them are doing
it under great difficulties. AS rule
they are endowed with more zeal than
money. They should have an abund-
ance of both. Their necessities
strongly appeal to every friend of the
church and to all who seek to adj
vance the welfare Of their country.
1t may not be inappropriate to the
occasion to speak a word in support
of the American university, in the sue
cess of which all Methodists should
feel a particular interest. 1t is not
strictly a Methodist institution, yet
Methodists are in the majority in its
management and control The Meth
odist Episcopal church has taken a
leading part in it's construction and
endowment. 1t has placed upon it
the seal of it's approval. If the in
stitution shall fulfill the hopes of it's
founders, it will he fraught with great
good to the entire Christian church,
and to the country as we'll. 1t will
be of especial advantage to the cause
of MethOdism north and south. A
great institution of learning, fostered
by Christian denominations at Wash
ington, should prove to be power
full influence for good. Such an in
stitution will enjoy exceptional advan-
tages. Its professors and students
will have access to the nations IL
braries, great now and destined to be
the foremost in the world. There the
opportunities for literary and sc;enti-
iic research will be unsurpassed. Many
millions have been spent and will be
spent by the government in support
of its libraries and in broadening the
opportunity for development in every
branch OF human knowledge.
My brethren. our lines have fallen
tunate hour in the history of the
upon us and that is to live we'll our
day and serve we'll our generation.
We are in the fullest and best sense
trustees OF a mighty trust Fidelity
to it is the watchword. We are the
adherents of church of great po-
tency. We give to it our loyal allie
glance. for we have faith in it and
we love it. We should serve it and
transmit it to those who shall follow
us with power increased and honor
undmed. Methodism is progressive
1t moves forward majestically, meet
ing new conditions and the advancing
needs of the world; meeting in full
measure the increasing duties which
cd Almighty lays upon it. No finite
intelligence can set the boundaries OF
her future influence. We look back
upon what she has done with pro-
found satisfaction and forward with
the utmost confidence. We believe
that, inspired by all the sacred men,
cries Of the past, the mighty arm of
Methodism will go forward doing it's
full share in lifting humanity to still
higher and nobler life.