THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

April 29, 1907.

Sir:

Pray express the assurance of my hearty good will to those engaged in giving a world character to organized Sunday School work. All good citizens must cordially sympathize with the effort to secure for the children of all countries, for those who will come after us and in whose hands the destinies of their several nations will lie, the education in things spiritual and moral that even more than the education of the head and the hand are necessary to the making of the highest type of citizenship. I wish all success to those, whatever their creed, who disinterestedly and in a spirit alike of common sense and of devotion to duty thus seek to train the future generation in the things of the spirit no less than in the things of the body.

With regard, believe me,

Sincerely yours,

Theodore Roosevelt.

Mr. Edward K. Warren, President,
World's Sunday School Convention,

Three Oaks, Michigan.

you have accorded us. I have no doubt as I go back to India, I shall be carrying happy memories of this great convention. Was it not Augustine who went from this city carrying the message of the evangel to the people of Great Britain, and have not the memories of Paul and Peter traveled throughout the whole world?"

Pastor Basche of Berlin spoke of the work in Germany, but that which the delegates will remember best about him was his kindly face, and pastoral, benevolent bearing, a true type of the German shepherd of the needy and wandering human flock, a benediction wherever he goes.

In responding for North America, Mr. Warren told of the remarkable voyage of the two delegates' ships across the Atlantic and through the Mediterranean, and then said:

"The welcome to America will come to you from the foremost citizen of the United States-the warrior Christian. Warrior in that he defends the weak; Christian in that he is a world-peacemaker. Honored, respected, loved by all the citizens of North America, whether the United States, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, or any of the islands of the sea. He says to you: [Mr. Warren then read the letter on the opposite page.]"

"It has given me great pleasure" said Ambassador Griscom, "to accept the invitation of your distinguished President to be present at the opening session of your congress. I am, of course, not here in my official capacity, nor do I feel that I have any particular knowledge or abilities that would qualify me to speak to you about this work, or about the purpose of this Convention; but I do feel that I cannot permit six hundred or more of my distinguished fellow-countrymen to visit the country where I represent them, without my meeting thêm face to face and giving them personally a word of greeting.

"I do not propose to say much, because, as the Apostle Paul said to the Ephesians, 'I am an ambassador in bonds;' Paul referred here to cords and shackles, I am only under

metaphorical bonds to keep the peace; but as my mission is international and one of peace, so do I recognize that with your organization international in character, and with your high purpose of the broadening of the common brotherhood of man, we are, after all, fellow-workers.

"I understand that you are particularly engaged in the development of Sunday-school work, and you meet here, just as you met in Palestine three years ago, for the purpose of giving a world-wide character to your work. Surely such a high-minded, noble effort must meet with universal approval. I can readily bear witness to the great good that has already been accomplished by you and your associates in the United States by giving to the children of America in the formulative period of their existence that spiritual and moral education and uplifting which is the necessary complement of the practical education which we treasure. so highly.

"Permit me, therefore, to utter a special greeting to those among you who are my fellow-countrymen at this time. I feel that as one who lives here I can offer a heartfelt welcome to this historic capital, but to one and all of you, whatever be your creed or nationality, I offer congratulations on the good work so auspiciously begun. I wish the 'Eternal City' may provide the inspiration so necessary for the continuance of your work, and finally I hope that your unselfish efforts may be crowned with the success which their noble character deserves.

"It occurs to me that in order to give my greeting to you a more practical form, I will ask you to be so good as to honor me by coming to my house next Wednesday afternoon, at about half past five, where I will be glad to have the pleasure of greeting you personally and individually."

At the close of Mr. Griscom's address, Miss Grace L. Bailey, a daughter of the chairman of the Executive Committee, went to the platform and presented the Ambassador with a Convention badge.