Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-22
PAC|F|STS RAPED
BY YIN. CA. WORKER
AMONG MEN OF A.E.F.
REV. CLEMENT CLARK ALSO Az.
RAiGNS SELLERS OF LIQUORS
WHO PREYED UPON SOLDIERS
-CONFERENCE COMES TO
CLOSE.

CLOSE.
The attendance was much smaller
far the closing session last night OF
the SIN annual Illinois Congregations
al convention, at the Congregational
church, than at any previous session
of the conference. Less than 1870 per
sons were present, a great many OF
the out of town delegates leaving the
city on late afternoon, or early
evening train
The convention itself was one Of
the largest attended, and most sue
cesgful ever held, in the history OF
the CONGREGATIONAL church in Illinois.
Speakers of note from all parts OF
the United States, had visited Otta-
wa during the three days Of the meet
ing, to take part on the program.
The Official chaplain, Rev James
Austin Richards of Winnetka, pre-
sided at the thirty-minute devotional
service. which has been held at the
BEGINNING Of each session. He read
telegram from the New York state
assembly, which is now in session at
Oswego, n. Y, sending fraternal
greetings, acknowledging the mes
sage.
Miss Susanne Woodard of Grand
! Ridge furnished the solo of the even
ing, THE Lord is My Shepherd. This
was one of Miss Woodard's first ap'
pearances before an Ottawa audience,
and her voice was greatly enjoyed by
all who heard it.
The address of the evening was
made by Rev Clement G. Clarke of
, Chicago, formerly the conference
preacher who is just home from
France after spending eighteen
months overseas as a Y. NJ c. A. sec
retary
He spoke of the war, of the causes
which led up to the war, from Chris,
tianity standpoint, and of the effect
the war would have on the religion
of the world He spoke of being in
Chaumont Of the day the armistlce
was signed and of the joy the peo-
pie of Europe experienced from it,
saying Il shall never forget Novem-
Der H. 1918, and the joy cries which
went ringing, echoing and sobbing in
to and out of the almost benumbed
consciousness of the people who wired
, them from Paris, around the world
. lie Guerre est fini'," And | shall not
, forget the thrill of AmcricaniSm thru
me when on that memorable day when
} cultured Frenchman and his little
, daughter took my hand, and thanked
the Americans for their part in the
victory To the French first of all
ii was a victory over Germany it was
the emancipation of Alsace Lorraine,
He spoke of essential Christianity
and the effect the world war woulC
have upon it, and of the people who
did not believe in fighting, but clunl
to the belief of pacifism These peo
pie. he declared had a right to thei
belief but if they were truly opposed
to fighting they should be willing tt
become martyrs for their cause The.
ought to go 70 prison and take al
the punishment that the law present.
. ed for pacifsts, willingly and uncom
plainingly.
/ He spoke of the food stuff that ha
been made into liquor during the pei
!. iOd of the war, and of the way i
!. which allied soldiers had been sol
= wines in France and England, unit
I they became horribly intoxicated
4 Telling of the manner in which tn
: wives and mothers of Toronto. Can
l. da. had unsuccessfnlly tried to get
d dry law passed to prohibit anyon
,e selling their soldiers liquor Will
S they were in overseas service, he e
t planned how many allied soldiers. WI
ID never drank before they entered II
r army, had contracted the habit shor
Id ly after arriving overseas, tho mar
Of them never reached the firing lin
AT the close Of his talk, Rev. ClarI
spake at length on social disease
r. and urged a crusade against them.
Z The conference closed with a be
ediction pronounced by Rev. CT
ed Stackman