Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-11-20
PRESIDENT TAFT
TALKS ON MISSIONS
addresses Joint Council of Lay
mems Missionary Meeting.
MR. TAFT GIVES SOME
LIGHT ON THE PHILIPPINES

asHord Pinchot Presides And is Given
an Ovation as The President Grasps
44is .Hand--What President Taft
Said of The Work Being Done by
Foreign Missions.
Washington, Nov II His faith in
gaissions was again affirmed by Presi-
Dent TAFT before a great audience of
clergy and laity, representing the Pro-
slant denominations Of the National
Capital, assembled at tho first session
nj the Laymen's Missionary Conven.
-10E neld in Continental Memorial
Nall yesterday
Among those Who occupied seats on
gsse platform were Bishop Alfred
Fsarding, Rev Dr. Wallace Radcliffe,
saastos OF the New York Avenue Pres
ssyterian Church: James Bryce Brit
ssh Ambassador TO Washington; Rev
a1r. g. Ernest Smith. rector of 81.
missioner Henry 3. F. mcfarland
Clifford Pinchot. chief forester o.
she United States, presided over the
session. In a short address he said
sssat while we ale looking toward the
conservation Of our natural resources,
Ne should also be looking toward the
conservation Of our spiritual resour-
rssa
As he finished his remarks Presi-
rcnt Taft appeared on the stage, ac-
a-ompaned by Col. Spencer Cosby. AS
ahe President took the center of the
ssiaaforn he was enthusiastically APP
aiauded- The applause gained addl-
atonaa vehemeno when he grasped the
fand Of Mr.. Pinchot.
an his address Mr. Taft spoke at
some length on the work of the friars
sn the Philippines.
The Philippine Islands themsel-
scs.' he said, are an example Of what
ancient foreign missions could do.
They are the only people, the only
rssre in the Orient that are Christians,
nnd they were made so 800 years ago
ny the earnest effort of Augustinian
End Franciscan friars. They led them
0n. taught them the agricultural arts
ns1id dnduced them to lead a peaceful
snd religious lie
They did not believe in too much
s@dtgUstion, and they did not believe in
nEiaging them into close union with
sSse European nations. They thought
Shere was a good deal that they might
Z a>arn there that would nurt them. and
sxleg preferred 20 keep them--I do not
nssan all OF them but all but select
a>1 few-in a soate of tuIeiage-Christ-
Aan peoples
Tat that which they wrought has
been TO our advantage in working out
ate problem that we are set to there
s45ts problem o. teaching them self-gov-
asTwment They are Christian peo-
ole ans shey look TO Europe and
america for their ideals, and they
azscDgnize those ideals And that
makes it POSSIBLE TO instill in them
slAe principles Of civil liberty and the
Freedom of our institutions"
T@he Presideut said OF our work in
she Orient:
g think It has developed our nation
s.3 character II has broadened us in
40 a view of our responsibilities as no
4ssseC experience could. And | am
snFee we have bettered their condition.
AMT in the control and government
M Esose islands | first become aware
ST the Importance of foreign missions.
AND II ! may say So | think there is
SAEong analogy between the spirit
s.ssf leads a nation into what We have
5, 1ous IN Cuba in Santo Domingo and
xe Philippines. and that movement
whGsh I am glad to see growing
Bl~1Gger and stronger, the movement
a 6axor of foreign Missions
The devotional service opening the
sgssssoa was conducted by Bishop
azud ing. Commissioner Mcfarland
-nsf,e tae opening address.
E3aHNare of the order excluding wo'
nam from the sessions of the laymen
ambassador Bryce brought with him
40 guests a. the embassy who at
ais request were allowed to remain
.a1 pccHpied boxes.
Tfis evening session was presided
ssF--r by Joha w. Foster. former Minis
/ Ter TO syh:na. The principal speakers
+ ~sxe .Rr Silas Melee, of New York
-ditoE of the Churchman; DR.. William
II Grenteil, 81 Labrador, and j. Camp
x.ses Sghtte, oe New York, who discuss
a 4rnerlcs's World Responsibility.
-s9e addresses were preceded by
'srsy 8 Foster
sues Masonic Order.