The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-11-15
BANQUET at M. E. Church.

Friday evening brought together fully
one hundred of the men of Tionesta and
was all that its promoters could wish for
it. The large dining hall of the church
was prettily decorated and the tables we're
most tsstefully arranged, covers being
laid for an even hundred, and we believe
nearly every place was occupied. An
elegant four course dinner was served by
the Ladies' Aid, and The service was we'll
nigh perfect. At the conclusion of the
splendid repast, s. r. Maxwell, president
of the Brotherhood, called the assemblage
to order and announced the Toastmaster
of the evening, DR.. j. G. Dunn, who pre-
sided with grace and dignity in that ca
pacity. The male quartet, consisting of
T. f. Ritchey, F. r. Lanson, Linus
Shriver and JEFF Henry, with Miss Le-
more Ritchey as organist, rendered fine
selection, and then DR.. Dunn introduced
the speakers of the evening, the first
three being limited to five minutes. Mr..
Ritchey's theme was The Bible, which
was we'll handled for the limited time he
had at his disposal. Rev. Mr.. Bailey
gave toast to The Ladies, those present
having been invited to the banquet hall.
The reverend gentleman did himself
proud in his eloquent tribute to the fair
sex. Rev. Mr.. Burton spoke on the Men
in Religion Forward Movement, and he
brought out many excellent points in the
few moments allowed him, his subject
being one which should occupy a whole
evenings talk. That the speaker believes
in getting the men into the work of the
church was not doubted when be finished.
The set speech OF the evening was de-
livered by Rev. Robert E. Brown, pastor
of the M. e. church of Franklin, and it
was scholarly address on The Marks of
Man. Ia part he said: "Tonight de-
sire to bring a fundamental me sage. My
theme might we'll be put in the form of
question, "Wbat is it TO be a mani" That
ought to be the supreme question of every
life. One thing alone counts; that thing
is manhood. In our best moments we
are at one in that opinion. And yet how
many failures there are. We began life
with passion for manhood. Why have
so many of us disappointed others, our
selves and most OF all, God, in the thing
we have come to be? 1t is not complete
answer to that question to say that it is
because of alse ideas OF manhood, but 1t
is one that contains truth of almost
measureless meaning. 1t is this which
inspires me tonight TO exhibit once more
the elemental qualities of the highest
manhood. In such an address some
things must be taken for granted. It
m ust be assumed that the highest man
hood needs for its foundation clean,
healthy body, and a clear eager mind.
The man who for any reason does not
possess these begins life seriously hand
capped. Nevertheless all do not have
them. Then the problem is simply that
of pursuing the highest moral ideals and
building manhood in spite OF all bodily
and mental hindrsnces.
II wish tonight then to place the en-
phssis upon four great principles: The
first is moral strength. Nothing is so
pitiable as moral weakness. No wastage
is so expensive as moral wsstage, no de-
feat so terrible as the defeat of the soul.
Moral courage is the basic quality of all
worthful manhood. The great battles
are inward. There are near hundred
battlefields represented in this room, any
Marston Moor or Gettysburg. Moral
strength is the power to win in the strug-
gle for pure thinking, clean emotions,
and high living. In seeking it we need
not lack the inspiration of great exam
Pile. Jesus Christ stands before US clothed
with imperial manhood. He never lost
battle. Follow him, trust him and sue
cess is sure.
"The second quality needing emphasis
is simple brotherliness." Here the speak
er with great earnestness plead for real
love of fellow men aud condemned in
most scathfng terms that christianity that
masquerades in mantle of solemn piety,
but is devoid of sympathy and helpful
ness for the man who is in need. He
said: 1.-THE world will never be led to
believe in the love of God until it is
brought in touch with a church sur
charged with the passion of brotherhood.
'Ifs man love not his brother whom he
hath seen how can he love God whom he
hath not seenP' Become big brothers of
mankind"
The final emphasis was placed on the
religious element in human life and on
what the speaker called the consciousness
of Immortality. "Man," he said, sis
messurably religious. No amount Of
speculation can change the souls essen
tial need of God. Everywhere you go
along the track of the centuries you come
upon the pathetic memorials of mans
religious hunger. Every ruined temple
and wasted altar tells of his longing for
divine fellowship. The man who fails to
rise In the experience of religious faith
has not come into his own. The upper
and diviner half of life is lacking. The
blossom and the fruit OF true manhood
are blighted."
In closing the speaker pointed out tie
fallacy of supposing that a man could be
all he ought to be in this life without the
hope and desire for immortality. We can
never serve our fellows in all the highest
ways until we serve them as immortal
beings. He closed with an illustration
of woman who before her death said
that after seeing and speaking to Jesus
her only wish was that she might be
permitted to return in spirit and be the
guardian angel of the feet Of those who