The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1906-11-30

SERVICES
(contlnued from Page one.l

, shouiu NC ueNOutlN tnhnktWI Am
, wrong in believing that it is of the,
things we should speak on such da
as thisf If it seems to you that thei
is the sound of thunder in the firmi
ment of our national life, would il nj
be well, today, to listen more after
lively, for II may be you will dcteC
some melody of an angel s voice with
the dread revcrberations. am one q
those who believe that the suggostio
of the text is true to the nature o
all things in life The sound, in il
self, was not that of thunder, il wa
not even that of an angel s voice. i
was sound deeper and nobler thai
/ the most faithful of Jesus attendant
dreamed or hoped 1t could beth
| sound of the Fathers voice; so / be
lieve that the prevailing Influences, II
work today in our nation IS life, are no
| the forces that make for evil: the,
are even something more than tn,
! forces that make for material good
they are forces stronger and finer thar
the most optimistic among us have evei
dreamed or hoped. | believe the voice
within the thunder is a voice purer
and of sweetcr melody than even that
of an ANGEL believe it is the voice
of God. He who listens carelessly
may say that ii thunders, but he whose
ear is attuned to those deeper harmo.
MES of the living Spirit will say that
there is music under the discord, that
while many things look dark and
threatening, and while many things
tend to discouragemcnt, there are 9TH
err things, and those of deeper import
far, that should fire our hearts as
Christian citizens with new courage and
hope.
Having gone thus far it would seem
that | ought to be somewhat more par
ticular. Accordingly let me illustrate
by looking rather hastily at some of
our American institutions. Take that
one most present in our thoughts to.
day-the home. What shall we say
ut work upon itl Are they such as
build up or tear down. Is the voice
wholly that of thunder or may we
hear some sweeter note, if only we
pause to listen!
Now | am not prepared to deny that
we are face to face with rather grave
situation. The home is being attacked
from many different and some unex-
pected directions. Every minister should
speak, occasionally, some clear, definite
word of warning. But he should take
care lest the thunder render him deaf
to that deeper voice that sounds across
the storm. The idea of the home in
our American life nav be in danger,
but it is in danger only in the sense
that the full and complete triumph of
that idea is being deferred from gen
Grafton to generation by the attacks
made upon it. To him who has faith
n God, and faith in his Christ, aud
faith in the divine gospel that he
preached, there can be no question as
% the ultimate triumph of the home
dea, and the family institution. If
here is anything certain on the earth it
$ this.
You will understand that have no
line to justify such n statement by any
inquiries. My purpose is
'ery simple and direct. / would sug-
.est that the American home is still
he foundation of our national strength
md virtue. / would point out that
here is no land under the sun where
ZONE influences are 80 pronounced, and
ome associations so deep and precious.
\mcrica is and ever will be, believe,
land of homes. 1t will continue to
hunder. and men will continue to say
hat great storm is gathering; and it
lay be that from time to time clouds
ctually will obscure the sun, and
'mpcst come bursting upon us from
ut the skies. But | think the air will
C clearer after the clouds have passed.
he sun will shine more brilliantly, the
irds sing with new depth of melody,
nd the flowers breathe n swecter frag'
ance because of the storm.
Again, | think the text has very
harp application when we consider how
,any regard our political life. | am
ware that | tread here upon some
hat uncertain ground but the thing
es in my way, and ! am determined
OF to 90 around it, Moreover, ! be
eve that you will be disposed to trust
le not to touch this subject from the ,
lane of party passion or prejudice.
ave before me those who represent
arious schools of political thought.
urely, it would be unworthy of me,
comparative stranger to take ad-
antage of this occasion BY advocating
olitical doctrines which none of you
ould have the opportunity to con.
-bNtIl- LIS tnt
ovcrnor, is here to bring me to book
'r any violation of alleged fact. No!
0! What | have to say can not posi-
" give offenso, whatever may be your y
,rty preferences. ] wish only to show
nat it is not all of thunder and the !
sing storm in our political life. We
ny hear another voice if we will; and !
it chance that the voice is not I
lat of an angel, at least it may be l
manly, earnest, resolute voice, one (
brant with the inspiring qualities of 1
'urage and hope.
/ can not deny, nor would | under 9
~ pressure, that | dislike, intensely, r
me of the present-day tendencies in ;
ir American politics. But he who
ills to see that there are deeper tend
lcies making for national honor and !,
ghteousncss needs to have his vision
arifed. Time may show that some ,,
us will have to class ourselves among y
@ fools, but until that day arrives,
Q shall continue to hold to our faith
the American people, and in our
nerican institutions; to believe that
c good outweighs the bad, and is
e