New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-02
BRYAN ON RELIGION.
Refuses to BelieUe IN Doctrine of
EUoIution Because of MOnkeyS.

William Jennings Bryan delivered a religious
lecture, entitled The Prince OF Peace last night
in the St. Nicholas Avenue Presbyterian Church AT
l41st street. The pastor OF the church. the Rev Dr.
Thomas w. Smith. cIassmate OF Mr.. Bryan
IN the University OF Illinois, and that was given by
Mr.. Bryan last night OF the reasons for his
presence. An audience that completely filled the
edfce listened to the speaker. and at the close
crowded about him. eager to shake his hand.
Ex-Lieutenant Governor NJ. Linn Bruce sat on
the platform during the preliminary exercises. DIR.
Smith, before Introducing Mr.. Bryan. told OF find
ing him a powerful rival in their college debating
societies.
Mr.. Bryan arrived in this city last evening from
his lecture tour through New England, and spent a
strenuous night. which included the lecture in
Harlem a speech in Newark and a dinner at the
Cafe Martin. Rudolph Block. who Is associated
with William r. Hearst in editorial capacity,
was the host at the dinner, the guests being for
the most part well known Democrats and one
prominent Republican, Ex-Governor Benjamin b.
Odeu, tr. "Of course tho dinner has political
Significance" said Mr. Bryan Among the guests
were ex-Judge Herrick Justice Gaynor, Charles +.
Murphy, Arthur Brisbane. ex-Justce Woodward,
Clarence J. Shearn. Justice Crane. Darwin r,
James tr., Professor Shepherd, of Columbia Uni
versty: Controller Metz Joseph Johnson. jr, DR.
John w. Cox and Charles s. Hervey.
Mr.. Bryan had intended stopping off at Albany
10 visit Governor Hughes his way from Bos-
ton but he missed connections and could not
halt without missing his New York engagements.
1T have had a very pleasant trip through New
England" said Mr.. Bryan. IT spoke before
eral legislatures and associations and 1 sur
prised TO my speech. Initiative in Referen-
dunn" referred to new issue for me. 1t isn't.
I had It put in the platform at Kansas City six
years ago; but 1t requires more discussion to have
It properly understood"
Tonight Mr.. Bryan speaks at Blair Penn; to-
morrow night at Chicago, and on Saturday he
will be back homo in Nebraska
IT am farmer you know" he said. land be-
fore leaving the farm the oat crop IN pretty
good shape. but there is lot work to be
done.
The hero of tho Platte" will be at the James
town exposition May 80 which will be 'aPtrick
Henry Day." and has engagements st. Paul
and Minneapolis. Norwegian Day"
Speaking OF money getting. Mr.. Bryan said
The objections made some time ago to accepting
q certain contribution is good sign. There could
be no better evidence OF the moral awakening
Education, charitable and religious, institutions
should not help great criminals spend the money
that they have obtained dishonesty
Mr. Bryan said he glad to renew his ac-
quaintance with good in college as DR.
Smith and TO overlook his one indiscretion Of
joining inferior debating society. In response
to the praise that DR.. Smith showered on him.
he said ITO be overpraised by friends in pub
lie life is make UP for the abuse one gets that
he doesn't deserve And I don't know of any
right here in the city Of New York, where / have
not IN the past complained or too much praise. :"
He said he chose a religious theme rather than
political one because he did not want 10 offend
anybody in the house he speaking in. People
differed in religion, he said. but in the way
that they do in politics.
Il am led also to take this theme he went on
'besause OF the large number OF young l meet
who think it is smart to be skeptcal. When 1
hear Of a young man boasting of his iiberalty I
know there is something in him fundamentally
wrong. l am not an old man, but I am old enough
TO have seen many a rise and fall and I
have noticed that the reason for the fall was in
many cases because of the lack OF the endurance
that moral power gives TO one"
Mr.. Bryan said that he Skeptic in college
and even now was all mixed UP the subject of
creedS. His father a Baptist and his mother
Methodist. She became Baptist after marriage
At present, Mr.. Bryan said. he belongs to a Pres
byterian church but attends with his wife a
Methodist church Only two OF his children no
said attended the church. He said he took
the Book of Genesis his foundation and the life
of Christ as his guide AZ will accept the doc
trine of evolution" OF the things he said
Il cannot believe that man came from monkeys /
don't say a man must not accept that belief but
he can't graft any such family tree on me