Address by Mr. Capen.

Hon. Samuel B. Capen spoke last night in Brooks House on "What Comes First?" He said in part:

In this busy world it is necessary for us to discriminate as to what we should do first. Most of us are busily engaged in earthly things, but still there is always waiting for us an invitation to come to Christ. Should this invitation be set aside for another time or should it come first? There are three reasons why it should occupy the first place. To begin with, our future lives are dependent upon its acceptance or its rejection. Then the present time is the easiest time for most of us. After our habits have become firmly fixed it is very hard to overcome them. Phillips Brooks once said: "Let us do what we can at once, for our power is slipping away from us." The third reason why the invitation of Christ should come first is that the acceptance of Christ is the foundation of noblest character.

A person should not delay making his choice in religion for the reason that a refusal of the right is always an acceptance of the wrong. The truth is not what we think, but what Christ says.

For the development of Christian life these three things are essential: First, good food--the study of the word of God; second pure air--daily prayer with God; and third, exercise--in working for others. Greatness in this world consists in service, and we shall gain our lives by giving them up willingly to others. We cannot control our feelings but we can our will. Therefore we can all become Christians by allowing Christ to be our pilot.