This united spirit should prevail, not only through the smaller bodies, but between the Roman Catholic and Protestant communions.  There has been a distinct division between these two bodies, much mutual suspicion, jealousy, and antagonism:  it is only quite lately that Protestant and Catholic leaders have been willing to work amicably together for great common causes.

A new situation has arisen.  In our new possessions we are confronted with a large population who, whatever may be the reason, are unquestionably not, as a whole, progressive, enlightened, educated, or highly moral.  The problem now is, not for Catholic and Protestant to waste energy and spiritual strength in contending for mastery over each other, but for them to unite in changing and bettering the condition of our island peoples.  What is past is past.  Our present duty is to bring peace, industry, intelligence, high ideals, and spiritual living to our new countrymen.  This is a work to fill the hands and heart of both churches, and perhaps, in a common task, each may learn to understand and regard the other as those should understand and regard each other who have one Lord, one hope, one heaven.

3.  The Church needs stronger and more gifted leaders.  In every business or intellectual enterprise to-day, there is an effort to place at the head of each organization the most powerful and resourceful man whose services can be obtained.  Nothing in this age works, or is expected to work, without the leadership of brains.  A primary step, in a far-reaching ecclesiastical policy, is to endeavor to draw into both ministry and membership the most active and intellectual class.  All earnest souls can work, but not all can work equally effectively.  Particularly in the ministry, north, south, east, and west, men are needed who are really men.  This does not necessarily mean the men with the longest string of academic degrees, the men who can write the best poems or make the best speeches on public occasions; it means the thinking men who are brave, talented, spiritual, and warm-hearted.

In the Report of one of the missionary Boards, I have recently read the following stirring words.  They refer to the work of missionaries in the far north, one of whom has lately travelled a thousand miles over the snow in a dog-sled:  “He who follows that mining crowd must be more than the minister, who would do well for towns in the west or elsewhere in Alaska.  He must be a man who, when night overtakes him, will be thankful if he can find a bunk and a plate in a miner’s cabin; he must travel much, and therefore cannot be cumbered with extra trappings—­must dress as the miners do, and accept their food and fare.  He must be no less in earnest in his search for souls than they in search for gold.  He must be so ‘furnished’ that, without recourse to books or study-table, he can minister acceptably to men who under the guise of a miner’s garb hide the social and mental culture of life in Eastern colleges and professional days.”