The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-12-12

| arduOuS task before us here IN the ecu
cation of the people and their emancips
tion from error and folly.
1--WE must insist on the necessity o
sincerity and of knowledge on the par
of religious teachers. We need the de
for the needs and duties of life here
Strictly speaking we have no knowledg
of another world or a future life. w
may believe profoundly, but we do no
know. Belief, trust, and faith are also
as truly as knowledge, great dynami
forces in human life, and have q value o
their own. We must have religion anC
moral philosophy which will inspire pa
triotism, and hold us strenuously to tn,
work of making this country a clean
orderly, and wholesome dwelling place
school, and home for human beings. Th
religious people and the scientific peopl
are alike foolish and blind when they d.
not see their equal need of each other a.
allies against the assault of forces which
are equally hostile to both ALI who will
work for the health of the nation mus
be welcomed and encouraged. What is
good and effective in the church and it,
teaching will disentangle itself somewha
from that which is lifeless and worldly
if there is anywhere distinct forward
movement The secular press should
criticise frankly the preaching of the
day, in so far as it concerns morality anc
national interests, and we must all ex
pect the most rigid scrutiny of what VIZ
teach. We must hasten the introduc
ton into religious speech varying little
Professor Clarke Maxwelrs expression
of words and phrases consistent will
true ideas about nature, instead of Others
implying false ideas
THE people who believe that the utili
tartan doctrines provide sufficient basis
for morality should feel an imperative
requirement, in the circumstances of oul
country, for the development of those
doctrines. So far as they are capable o
becoming a religious inspiration ano
motive for men, they should be made
available to the utmost possible extent
They do not yet constitute religion
except perhaps to a few persons. who
represent in a rare degree what is besi
and highest in American civilization
We need work, just here, by masters
hand, in setting forth the character
meaning, scope, and practical require
ments of the utilitarian doctrines in re
lation to the circumstances and condi
tions of life in this country day What
does utilitarianism teach, and why should
men regard and obey it2
"a change in the reading of the peo.
pie is necessary, if we are to improve the
national life. Men who could really
teach English literature, and show peo
pie how to read and understand it, SO as
to receive culture from it, would be
among the most valuable missionaries OF
the new order of things If there are
such men it would be profitable to EN-.
ploy them.
Men of property or wealth. capitalists
and people of culture who understand
the value of property in civilization
must accept great and direct RESPONSE
bility in regard to all matters pertaining
to the moral education of the people,
Their course will decide what our nation
al condition shall be for some time to
come. We have been too much inclined
chiefly responsible for the moral culture
of the masses. There is no good reason
for making selfsacrifce and unrecom-
pensed labor for such objects the bust
ness of ministers exclusively.
"People will say, All this will require q
great deal of money. True; but it will
save much more. If the future of this
country is to be evolved from the ele-
ments and tendencies of the present,
then, unless something like what is here
outlined is undertaken and carried for
ward, the loss of property (not to speak
of moral losses) will be greater than the
amount of money that would be required
for an educational enterprise on a larger
scale than any the past has known. We
ought to expend million of dollars in
this work during the next three years,
as beginning 1t would be most prof
liable business enterprise, se,-considered
merely as an investment of money,-on
account of the pecuniary losses which it
would prevent.
81 observe much complaint lately of the
difficulties involved in universal suffrage.
They are doubtless great If the world
were wholly different we might do fine
things But we must have methods that
can be used as things are,--to begin with,
at least. The age is probably the most
unteachable since the Revival Of Learn
ing. But we can work to-day only where
we are. We are shut up to this univer
sal suffrage organization of society, and
must find out how to make it serve the
ends for which society exists. The fran
chise is not likely to be narrowed greatly
in our time. If America were jungle
of human tigers, still it is our country
and the country Of our children, and its
people. however undeveloped and in
tractable are our neighbors, brethren,
and fellow-citizens. We must live in
some relations with them, and to make
these relations orderly, benefcent and
just is worth all it can cost. The union
of the States is geographical, official, and
mechanical; the unity of the people must
be vital, organic, and spiritual. Such
unity is not yet actual, only potential" >"
Ur Joseph NJ. Masters, issued .
OF the Court of Common Pleas of the county |
Jackson, and directed to the Sheriff of said
nty. |
iven under my hand this 9th, day of Deem
=, 1878. JOHN NJ. EWING, ,
-, Sheriff j. g. o.