The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-06-19
1.-THE Power of Fiction,

was the theme selected by Miss Julia
Spencer for a well wrought essay, clear
IN outline, original in construction and
we'll expressed, while her appearance
aud manner of delivery we're In pleas
ing harmony with the character of her
thought and style Hrr general line OF
thought we epltomize as follows:
In all progress and reform fiction has
been one Of the most active forces. In this
practical age We are wont u recognize
reason alone as an impulse To progress;
but without the emotional element there
would be little left for the intellect 10
work upon. Every mind possesses an
inauguration which demands food tor
its development and satisfaction; this
demand literature must meet. Every
new discovery or invention exists first
in the imagination OF its author. Every
life presents phases more marvellous
than the most wonderful fiction.
Leaving the visible, man passes to
the invisible aud from out the threads
of his imagination weaves poetry, 70.
nance and philosophy. From the
earliest ages great truths and princi-
pies have been presented in the garb of
fiction. The Greeks had, previous TO
literature save that of their poets, who
appealing to the imagination of a prim-
| tive people, at the same time in the ira
ditions of heroes and deities which they
perpetuated, they embodied the most
sacred ideas and nobiest feelings of the
race They furnished Greece, not only
her poetry but her theology. With the
rise of modern civilization the develop
ment of whose peculiar conditions in
In Europe was largely the OutgrUWth OF
the imperial dream of Charlemagne
came other conditions OF society
10 which fiction has been
| u potent factor. The imaginative spirit
of the middle ages fOuac its expression
in chivalry, the embodiment of the
spirit OF fiction. Out of this spTang a
bright element Of our later civilization.
new sentiment of tender regard and
sympathy. of manly loyalty to woman.
| II was this imaginative spirit that gave
/ enthusiasm TO the crusades, q regard
akin to sacrSdness, To the Ministries and
trOubadUurs. and an ideal Significance 20
the legends Of Merlin and Arthur. With
the era OF the Reformation and Its spirit
of greater earnestness. imagination has
still held sway-In fact. fiction has been
hand in hand with moral reform Il was
the same Milton whose flights of fancy
have reached such lofty heights who 81
vigorously esPoused the canse of the Pu.
rItans. II was from Bedford prison that
John BunyAn gave 40 vivid picture OF
Christian experience in that immortal
fiction, the Pilgrims Progress.
Looking back u the origin of our free
country, we ind IL difficult "a conceive
how the SIN OF slavery could ever have
found or retained existence upon heI
fair domain tor more than a hundred
Netrs. But this sin for more than 2OO
years hung like q cnrse over the souls oil
millions curse that only the sacrifice
of the lives of her braVest and nnblesi
sans Gould remove. A country which
has been baptized in blood TO gain il
iressdOm, tTafiicking In human souls
Some facts are stranger than ficfiUb
But the sin has been washed away, and
among those whose names will be hand
ed down tn pOsterily for their noble
fnTtS IN behan 1T tbs abolition q
slavery Will he those OF Harrte.
B --ch-r Stowe ant John g. Whittier
"Un.:l'. Tum's Cabin" which VA
read AMI ~ pt over in our land and il
. every country IN chTIsirndOm awake
; slumberng reBple aud hasIened III
r emancipation of the slave.
We have seen that through the Greet
D POETS fiction had an influence in devotion
: ing the first idea uf ciViliz alton; tbs
9 through chiValry It aided IN moldin
y modern Civilization; that it was q gres
C factor in gaining cIvil and religious lii
= erty and was . powerful auxiliary /
J. the abolition Of slavery
g In England, Charles Dickens, by hi