The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-10-17
ANNUAL MEETING HELD
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH
Address by Dr, Gardner on the Unity of Churches-So-
 cial Evening.

At the Church of the Messiah last evening occurred the annual meeting of the church preceded by the usual SUD- per served by the lad2es of the church, about seventy-flve being present. The address of the evening was delivered by Dr. Gardner, of the Journal and Courier, who with Rev Mir Dickerman, former pastor and now state superin- tendent of the Universalist churches in Connecticut, were the guests of the church. Rev. Theodore Fischer pastor of the church, presided.
 Dr- Gardners address related to the increasing tendency toward unity on the part of the various denominations more especially in New England, as compared with the combativeness or competition in the past. He pointed out that there is steadily making pro- gress more cordial spirit of fellow ship and cooperation on the part of all denominations. A more liberal under standing of truth is becoming more marked and Is due in measure to the influence of those denominations that have adopted the thought and spirit of the larger hope"
 Following Dr. Gardner, both Mr. Fischer and MT. Dlckerman spoke at length. Charles H. Doolittle, sheffield Scientific school, 1909, sang solo, and poem was read by Lucy Creemer Peck ham, MD.
 At\the business session of the meet Ing MT. Dickerman presented a reso- lution commendatory of Roger M. sher- man, who was for many years clerk of the church, but has now removed to Portland, Oregon. Letters of greeting were sent to the "shutins" and several new members were received. It was also voted to cooperate with other de- nominations in the religious campaign the coming winter The original poem by Dr. Peckham follows:
 THE WORD OF GOD.
 Tn the beginning was the Word and the word was with God and the Word was God
 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us!"
 Let there be light; God spake and it
 was done!
 The flooding brilliance swept the uni
 verse;
 And one small earth with warmth and
 color shone.
 God said: Let there be thought and
 wave on wave
 Of inspiration thrilled all flesh until Perception grew and relt the glowing
 force.
 God said: Let Will in early life un-
 fold it's strength!
 And this, my will shall bless, and life
 shall be,
 As each shall choose the way his feet
 shall tread;
 A selfish strife, or holy sacrifice. God said; Let there be love within the
 earthl
 Then there awoke a yearning, deep
 and strong,
 Through all the forms of life, for ties
 to bind
 Together, hearts that else were faint,
 for life,
 Above, was strangely sad and silent. The love brought forth and gave to the
 fair earth
 A treasure all Life's other gifts above. The word made flesh! The golden gift
 of speech!
 By which our human tongues voice joy
 or pain.
 And recreate and pass from life to life The blessedness that thought and will
 have won.
 The miracle repeated at each birth; When inspiration from the encircling
 air,
 Imprisons in the flesh living soul, Which seeks expression in its new
 found world,
 And homesick longs to find again the heart of God The infants wall the battle cry of nations: But tell of struggle for the wider life Meantime the life goes on, the feeble vail, Is soothed by lullabys; the battle cry Changes to songs of praise; the am. biant air Is charged with glorious dreams thaI visit ,, The imprisoned soul to comfort and tc cheer. l Loves hopes and aspirations thrill tn,
 heart Whose vibrant strings in ecstacy res ponds , And every quivering nerve is glad | High aim and purpose strengthen man hoods will. ' And the cadence of sweet peace i a heard In patriarchal blessings as the shadow Reckon to repose and sleep.
 We trust
 In Gods onninscience; He understands 1 We do not fear the stings and throe