Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1917-10-26

Illinois.
Gentlemen ard Ladies'
After another year Of toll and labor the a-wise
Creator and Ruler of the universe has ordained it
that we as officers and delegates Of this Convention
should be permitted to assemble together in our
Thrty-seventh Annual Session for the purpose of
viewing work of the past year and to give an ac
count of stewardship here below, and sincerely
hope that each of you will be able TO give good
account of yourselves.
Since we assembled in our last annual session
ranks have been broken That cruel monster and en-
emy to all humanity in the form OF DEATH has crept
into some Of our homes and left bereaved widow,
weeping children and amenting friends The past
year has been year that should be forgotten
in the history Of all of lives. Storms tornadoes,
wars pesienees strikes, riots the high cost Of
living have ell played great part in the great
fabric Of the universe and in the midst Of all these
many changes God has held hand Of protection
over Us, and deep down in hearts should ever
be thankful for his loving kindness and his tender
me-cies
One year ago said in my address that this repub-
lie enjoying peace prosperity and happiness while
almost ali the nations of Europe were struggling for
supremacy, and thousands of human beings were des~
ttute and afflicted and homeless, battle fields
drenched with human blood and countless aous
sacrificing their lives for their country, but to-day,
like many of you, my heart is filled with sorrow when
| think that before the summer sun has gone down
try winds shall begin to blow and spread It's gloom
the earth telling the world that another year is
almost passed awgy this nation viii be plunged into the
greatest var that has been known in the history
of the world with of the greatest and strongest
nations in the world. Oh dear friends Think of the
thousands of fathers brothers and that viii be
called to offer their bodies sacrifice the altar of
their country. and let RE impress it your minds
and. If possblo, stamp it deep down into the very
depth Of your souls that there is great work for
ali do in this great struggle for renewed peace and
the cause of b.<nanity You ask the question, what
cant do, If you cannot go on the battle field you
encourage those who forced to go; If you cannot
till the soil you plant the seed and help gather the
grain; you cannot do either you learn the lesson
Of economy in order that you and your negbhors will
not be destitute while our friends and relatives are
serving their colnTys flag, and the best Of it all il
that all of pray that God will preserve
nation and that fathers, brothers and sons may
be returned home with laures by service, and
when The clouds of have blown away and boon-
ing of the cannon shall cease, may all be able to
sing the song of Victory, Victory" for America and
her people
We are assembled here in this, our annual session,
representatives of the Church of our Lord Jesus
Christ EARTH and it is my desire that each
of you here for the sole purpose of having the
world to know that the church exists to make God real
to the consciousness Of and to have them to
derstand that the fundamental Of the church
to-day is the fort Of God at work in the world cooper
ating with men for the promotion of life. The church
is power, the power of God in the hearts and minds
of men, teaching the world how to live. The church is
tool instrument of God in the hand of for the
building up Of His Kingdom here on earth. The
church is the Cross. The Cross Of Christ upon which
are to cruelty the sefshness which has begotten
tooth and nail civilization and in love give birth to
humanity whose foundation shall be justice and
brotherly love. It is society that will make obso-
lete the prayer, "Thy Kingdom comeThy will be
done earth" The church is the by which
brought to live in the terms of God Never
in the history OF the world has there been fearful
thing for nations to fall into the hands Of the living
God it is at this present tme The day of vengeance
10 in his heart the day of judgment has come; the
great earthquake which sunk Babylon is shaking ma
tions to-day and of the mighty commotion are
dashng upon every shore. And this is not a time to
forfeit the protection of God when the hearts
Of failing them for fear and looking after
those things which coming earth If there ever
time that tried mems hearts it is noy, when we
see nations wading in each oters blood and fanting
and passing away in His wrath. This not time to
throw away the shield of faith when the sword and