feel as if it were a personal matter, for I am one of those million or more immigrants who are annually dumped upon your shores and constitute to you such a very great danger, though General PORTER assures me that as the millions arrive the employers of labor are down at the docks fighting with each other as to who is to get them. [A cry: "That is right."] But the last time I stood here -had the privilege to be here, which was last year, as your guest -I was merely a visitor, as your President has said, upon these shores; but now I have a somewhat humble stake in the country. In a sense, a fairly wide sense, your Chamber of Commerce is responsible for this, for I suppose it is your great commercial prosperity which has made room for me and the many other immigrants. But, in a closer sense, you are responsible, for the chair which it is my honor to fill in the Union Theological Seminary of this city was founded by your President, Mr. JESUP, [applause,] who has, as you know, many wide interests, from an expedition to the North Pole to the establishment of a theological chair. But in all his varied life I am sure—and after what he said to-night you must all be sure—that nothing lies closer to his heart than an advance in sincere religion among his fellow-countrymen.

As to the subject presented to me to speak on to-night, I only wish I were as good a representative of religion as the British Ambassador is of diplomacy. Perhaps it is easier to be a diplomat than to be a religious man. [Laughter.] The first time I visited America I felt somewhat as Sir MORTIMER DURAND described so feelingly how much at home an Englishman who really has sympathy with America can feel and how soon. There was never a feeling of strangeness to me. I suppose it is, after all, due to the fact that we have so much in common-the same language, the same literature, the same common law, much of the same history, and, above all, the same ideals of life. It stands for a lot, I believe, that we talk the same tongue, that a man can make pretty much the same speech here that we can make in London or Edinburgh, and, I am willing to confess, I can make pretty much the same sermon-preach it, at least. [Laughter.] When I say that I get along pretty well-with the exception of the accent-with the language, I am not so sure but that my greatest trouble is going to be with the spelling. [Laughter.] To my mind deeper than the common language which makes that fundamental resemblance in the practice and institutions of the two countries, is, I believe, the fact that we have a common faith and a common religion. That is what is meant by speaking about the same ideals of life. Certainly it is true that here, and in my native country, we do look at the big things in life from the same point of view. We have somewhat of the same conception of duty. Now, in this relation of commerce to religion, I suppose that some would say that the connection is after all pretty much a slight one, and that commerce could go its own gait and religion go hers without getting very near together necessarily. To my mind, however, that is a superficial view of the whole situation-a superficial view of the needs of commerce, or, at least, a narrow and false view of what religion

really is; for, as your President has so well described, commerce is impossible without religion. Without the fruits of religion, to put it another way, without the fit ethical conditions it is impossible. Why, gentlemen, you could not do the world's business for a single day without religion. You, gentlemen of the Chamber of Commerce, will, I believe, agree with me, and will admit, that you could not do the world's business for one day without the existence of good faith between man and man, without mutual trust, and that trade goes to pieces when there is a lack of confidence. I suppose that would be accepted as a common-place. And these things I assert are the fruit of real religion-these very things that alone make commerce possible.

We are the members of different churches where there are different forms of creed. I suppose almost all forms of creed are represented here, but we are not far apart, I am sure, in theory at least, whatever it may be in practice, and as you know, it is easier always to preach than to practice. [Laughter.] I say we are not far apart, for we will all recognize that the social bond depends just on those ethical qualities which are represented by and are the fruit of religion.

Sometimes, it is true, men will speak as if they could get along very well with some vague thing which they call civilization, and, of course, in it they include literature and science, and art, as well as the material well-being of the community, forgetting that even if it were possible for men to attain great distinction in those regions, there could be no true stability, no true permanence, either in art or literature or science, or true well-being without religion.

Civilization, after all, is held together by principles, by convictions, conceptions of duty, because society is held together by ideals. of duty regarding the family and the estate and all other social relations. The more one thinks of social conditions the more one sees that often civilization and religion are really different names for the same thing, or, at least, we recognize when we go deep into both these subjects, that the social bond has many enemies-I don't mean enemies from outside--but many enemies in man's own nature, in anti-social feelings that naturally arise, in all forms of selfish passion. And I say, and you will agree with me, that all the restraints of law and of religion are needed to hold society together and to save it from utter collapse.

All the institutions and the sanctions that create good habits among men and enforce moral life in our midst are welcome assuredly by all men who are interested in the true welfare and wellbeing of their fellows.

There are some things, gentlemen, a nation cannot question. There are some things a nation dare not question, if it is going to remain a nation in the true sense of the word. Criticism there may be a plenty. We are living in an age of criticisim, when nothing is sacred. Religion is not kept from criticism by its sacredness, or law by its authority. And I dare say that is well. Criticism of all authority is probably necessary and is often useful. But criticism has its limits, indeed, and when the sanctions of moral life are de

stroyed, your civilization, no matter how great it is, no matter how high it has reached, no matter how stable it appears, your civilization will fall to pieces.

Religion stands as a protest against materialism, which is, after all, the great temptation of modern life. I don't mean materialism as a philosophic system, for that has gone to the wall absolutely, but I mean practical materialism of life. And we must all admit the force of this practically in our daily life, and the more posperous we are the more we must admit it. And I say, I don't know myself a single barrier against these things which lay nations flat and lay cities waste except something which we must all call religion. And if this great people is to fulfill her great destiny, if this great people is to take her place as she is fitted by Providence, and as she has been shaped to take her place among the nations of the world for the betterment of the whole world, and for her own peace and prosperity, then she must be, I believe, fundamentally a religious nation.

That materialism I speak of, that is our great temptation. It is seen in every sphere of life. In one sphere you see faith in forcethe creed of the big battalion, or it may be faith in mere machinery of some sort, and failure to realize what are, after all, the biggest things in life, the greatest things in human nature.

And if, sir, it is given to me, even in the humblest way, to say anything to that young life of these great universities and colleges which it is my privilege to visit, then I think I will be happy that I left my own country and home for the great opportunity which you, sir, have enabled my seminary to put in my hands. [Applause.]

THE PRESIDENT.-Just one moment before we separate; you surely wish to pay your respects to the ladies in the galleries, and to tell them how glad you are that they are here to-night, and I, in speaking for the ladies, I am sure that if they could have some one to say something in return for them, it would be General HORACE PORTER. [Great applause.]

Now, I know I am doing wrong; I know that General PORter will feel unpleasantly towards me, but I cannot help it. [Great applause.]

In response to this informal call of the President, General PORTER made one of his characteristically felicitous impromptu speeches, and his witty sallies were thoroughly appreciated and loudly applauded. He concluded by saying of every lady that had graced the occasion by her presence, in the words of RUFINI: Just corporeal enough to attest humanity, yet just transparent enough to let the divine origin shine through."

The President then declared the banquet at an end.

Monthly Meeting, Thursday, December 6, 1906.

A regular monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held in the Hall of the Chamber, Thursday, December 6th, 1906, at half-past twelve o'clock, P. M.

PRESENT.

JOHN S. KENNEDY, Vice-President.
GEORGE WILSON, Secretary.

And two hundred and twelve members.

In the absence of MORRIS K. JESUP, President, JOHN S. KENNEDY, Vice-President, presided.

The minutes of the last monthly meeting, held November 1st, were read and approved.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.

GUSTAV H. SCHWAB, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws, reported the following preamble and resolutions on the subject of the Philippine Tariff Bill.

Whereas, The Bill H. R. 3, entitled an Act to amend an Act entitled "An Act temporarily to provide revenue for the Philippine Islands and for other purposes," approved March 8, 1902, otherwise known as the Philippine Tariff Bill, is now before the Committee on the Philippines of the United States Senate; and

Whereas, The Chamber of Commerce has heretofore consistently and unanimously contended that this Bill involves a principle vital to a wise and just Colonial policy, namely, the principle that a colony should be administered in its own interest and not in the interest of the governing country; and

Whereas, The effect of the adoption of the Bill upon the economic conditions of the Philippine Islands will undoubtedly be most beneficial, while its influence upon the economic interests of the United States can be but slight; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York again urges upon the Committee on the Philippines of the United States Senate the early and favorable consideration of this important measure; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of these preambles and resolutions be

transmitted to the United States Senate, and that the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws be authorized to use every effort to secure the prompt passage of the Bill, and to this end that the Committee be instructed to request the co-operation of other commercial bodies throughout the country.

(Signed,) GUSTAV H. SCHWAB,

ISIDOR STRAUS,

S. D. WEBB,

GEO. FRED'K VIETOR,

WILLIAM SLOANE,

R. A. C. SMITH,

NEW YORK, November 30th, 1906.

Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws.

Mr. SCHWAB.-Mr. President, on April 5th last the Chamber adopted a preamble and resolutions urging favorable action by the United States Senate on the Philippine Tariff Bill. This Bill is now before the Senate Committee on the Philippines, having passed the House. There was at the last session of Congress opposition manifested in the Committee against favorable action upon this Bill, chiefly on account of its supposed effect on the beet sugar interests and tobacco interests of this country. Before adjourning the Committee laid the Bill upon the table without report.

There will be a concerted effort made to secure a favorable report upon this measure, which is of vital importance to the future development of the Philippine Islands, and which cannot, in the opinion of your Committee, seriously affect the economic interests of this country.

The Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws have instructed me to again present resolutions urging an early and favorable consideration of this Bill, and authorizing the Committee to take steps to secure its prompt passage.

The preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Mr. SCHWAB reported the following preamble and resolutions on the subject of increasing the working force of the Consulates of the United States in the chief cities of China and Japan.

Whereas, The trade of this country with the Empires of China and Japan is of growing importance and merits the increasing attention of our exporters and manufacturers; and

Whereas, The information conveyed by our Consular Officers as to commercial conditions and requirements in China and Japan is of considerable value to our business interests; and

Whereas, Other countries have recognized the commercial demand for such increased information by strengthening their consular forces in these two countries; now, therefore, be it