The San Francisco call., 1906-05-07

FIRST Peter. 2:11-6. spoke substantially
as follows:
God speaks TO us by divine revela-
tion and by his hands works In Great
ed nature and his lessons never con-
hict. The lesson inculcated in today
epistle, that we are pilgrims journey
ing TO our true home and that it is un-
worthy OF US to set our hearts upon
carnal or created things, is borne out
by the lesson Of the awful catastrophe
through which we have SO lately passed
and from whiCh We have not yet
emerged. Whatever some may think
OF the word Of the apostle, surely none
OF US can gainsay the fact that nature
has taught Us at q fearful cost the
transitory and uncertain character Of
mans work
Sixty years achievements OF the
greatest human endeavor were all but
wrecked IN less than one minute of
time by the earth's convulsions, and
what remained was mostly swept away
By FIRE In q few hours.
"Ought not this TO teach US that
there Is surely something more lasting
than what man can build; something
more worthy OF the aspiration OF the
human and immortal soul?
This. I say, is the lesson taught US
today both by Gods revelation and
the scenes and experience through
which We have gone.
How little IS man-'there is none
great but Cod
"The mind, the soul, the spirit Of
man is more precious than brick and
mortar. more valuable than the great
buildings consumed or the treasures
that lie IN the vaults buried under the
debris Of a burned city.
Let US not be wholly absorbed IN
creature comforts. The author OF life
has said. Man liveth not by bread
alone, but by every word that pro-
ceedeth from the mouth Of Cod Our
true life is that Of the spirit
PROBLEMS TO lie FACED.
"But we must speak face to face and
heart to heart Of the practical problems
that confront US. We have suffered
much, but We have much to be thank
ful for-thankful TO God and thankful
70 others under him.
Though the death lis: seems to be
growing larger than we first thought
81. II IS comparatively small when We
consider the earthquake and the hap
tism Of FIRE that have visited us. For
this we who prize life so highly and
who yet have It should be profoundly
grateful to a merciful Providence.
But we have contracted a debt OF
gratitude which we can never repay
save in simple and grateful acknowl-
edgment-to our municipal govern
ment, to our State and Federal author
tiles, TO the committees Of citizens,
handling so completely and so salts
1actOrily a state OF affairs. the
gravest that was ever sudden
~ thrust upon a body OF men
We owe no less an acknowledg-
rnent 70 the Fire Department Of San
Francisco. The greatest testimony Of
valor Of an army is that It is as much
beloved and honored in defeat as iD
victory by the country It defends.
'Our Fire Department fought los
ing battle from the beginning. yet no
citizen OF this city but understands
that they did al that brave men could
6o-end that In fact after fighting in
cessantly for three days and nights
that they should have saved the large
part OF the city that yet stands is al
but marvellous.
MUST SHOW WORTHINESS.
I'VE have been greatly moved by the
practical sympathy that has touched
the heart OF the nation-we should he
grateful for 1t, but we must not abuse
81 We have been dazed for this fort
night passive must now show our
selves worthy OF what has been done
for US
I'VE are eating the bread OF charity.
which IN their magnanimity those who
contribute It DO not wish US to so nsmc
tt-but call It by another term, hu-
mainly
"Au this must create and strengthen
n as the virtues Of patience, fortitude
and courage. Upon the past we must
look only 70 correct our mistakes
whatever they may have been. In the
rebuilding OF San Francisco.
zone thing we ought to learn from
the prompt, wise and energetic action
OF the military is suppressing the
abuses OF liquor. No sane man In this
city Is ignorant of this fact, that this
one act has done as much as any other
one act for the benefit Of the city In
the most critical moment OF its history
For this all honor 10 the city govern
nent and TO the military authorities
And can we not learn from It when
once more IN our normal condition that
liquor is not a necessity-that It IL al
most & luxury when properly con-
trolled; that it is veritable engine OF
evil TO many at al times and to all e;
many tineE7 Can we NOT better regG-
late II hereafter than It has been In the
past7
Fathers and mothers and lovers OF
this city. study the matter.
LET no man be able 10 point at Sar
Francisco with any Justice or truth an
say that II is a wide open town
ssW4 A.. a.