The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-10-15
WWwW~ww~WT


T~~~W~WwTW~
edifice which was very largely made
possible by the generosity of our many
friends, whom we take this opportunity
of thanking, afforded our local branch
the desired opportunity of extending
to President Smith an invitation to
come here and conduct the services
connected with its dedication. There
had been some misgivings on our part
as to whether Elder Smith would I'M
dertake at his period of life so long a
journey, but his presence here testifies
to the willingness with which he re-
sponded.
I'VE are pleased to welcome him in our
midst, feeling assured that his promi-
nent identification with the work which
we have endeavored in the past to rep
resent here will obtain for him an in
terested hearing, and knowing as we
do by reason of long and pleasant as
ISOLATION that his frank manner and
kindly disposition Will win for him a
warm place in your hearts.
I'VE therefore bid him hearty well
come and trust that his visit may
open up to him a vista of pleasant
associations and agreeable experiences
that shall add an interesting chapter
to his long and eventful life.
I'VE feel sure you will accord him
a patient and attentive hearing"
Then, turning to President Smith,
Elder Waller continued:
Now, dear brother, as president of
l. T
take pleasure in turning over to you,
the president of the church-represent
ing the Bishop, the custodian of the
church property, this key of the build
ing, stating for your information and
for the information of others, that
there have been expended in the pur-
chase of the lot, in its improvement Of,
and in the erection of the building
about $1,000, and that there is no debt
upon the property"
Replying President Smith said:
Il return this key to you, Elder Wal
Ter, to be used for the benefit of the
local congregation and 1 also trust that
from this pulpit and from out these
walls nothing but good shall come =
good thoughts and good words-and
that there shall be exemplified here
what our church stands for, an open
Bible and free pulpit. Also, Brother
President, 1 thank you, and you, my
brothers and sisters, and your friends,
in the erection of this building, for the
kindly welcome extended to me.
81 have long had the desire to visit
the Islands of the Sea and they have
T.; ,t,a a;,-o <1f IL
Dor. I am pleased that the opportunity
has come to me. 1 thank you for the
kindly interest you have taken in the
work which / represent.
There is a question which arises
from and exists within the great di-
versity of religious thought. 1t is i'm
portant, at the inception of every ren-
gious movement, especially anything
considered new, or that has borne the
of being new, that those
who inaugurate such movement
IN which it takes its stand,
reasons why they assume the positions
which they do in this religious contro-
versy: for, disguise it as you may, the
question is not settled. 1t is still open
for human ;.-quiry, for human discus
sion, and so Iar as possible. for human
In teaching this, there
arises the question of what should be
the doctrine discussed from this pulpit
by those in whose interest it has been
erected. Possibly 1 may be answered,
as l many times have been, that the
discussion of doctrine is not profitable
that to discuss doctrine in the Chris
tan church has a species of fatality
to it, that it is introducing controversy, |
resulting in excitement. |
and apparent separation. |
This, we know, has been the history |
Of the churches from time immemorial. |
This is the only answer, tha,. if it |
san be conceded that Jesus Christ has |
so carelessly wrought in the mission !
which His Father sent Him upon. and |
N the interests of which he called his |
disciples. SO carelessIy, that the preach
ng of the doctrine of Jesus Christ Is
calculated to destroy its own organi-
,ation. it is time this event occurred
md that the character of the doctrines
If Jesus Christ, which He came to
each, and for which He died, should
De well known everywhere"
Reading from the Gospel by St. John,
President Smith continued:
This from the 18th chapter of Johns
5ospel-the prayer Of the Master for
His disciples, and also for those who