Wichita eagle., 1890-02-06


Marks this epoch In your career
Nay II speak through i faith NJ, o. Victories won'
But never ended till life's latent force
Is fully spent, and finished It's course.
Our social features-By Prof. R. F.
Knight
As generalization is the highest act OF
the individual mind. so organization is the
supremest act of society. The spirit OF
union is the chief characteristic OF the
age; not that an universal harmony pre-
walls, but that the tendency Is toward 1t
as the logical outcome
From the smallest social clique to the
mightiest nation, the same law of unity
is expressed. This a world OF eXonerable
relations and mankind must classify IL
self according to them or suffer perpetual
warfare For natures logic valves no
conclusion.
Men perceived this truth in the earliest
times and through their barbarian phlloso-
piers rudely expressed it in epigram, yet
ouly in these latter days have their fine
sayings materialized in the servise of hu-
manity, and the nineteenth century hnds
society divided into almost lnnumerabIe
classes The world of business and the
world of state. of elegant leisure and In
cessent toll, of christian effort and artistic
crime, alike respond to the law and resolve
themselves into groups.
As the law of gravitation governs the
governs the spiritual world, and in the
discovery of these affinitits and obedience
to them lice the true emancipation or the
race.
But where shall these affinities be found?
In society, which is but the UNCONSCIOUS
workings of kindred souls; here only does
the individual become entire. Society
does not suppress nor obscure him, it only
places him in the environments OF natural
relations where he may develop normally
and be of service to his kind. Here only
does he find his complement, his mission
and the consumation deyoutiy to be
wished.
What l have said of society in general is
true of society in particular, and of that
particular society of which L speak to-
night. The social features of this class
were established at its beginning and l
believe the class has averaged social
every month since.
Believing that Christianity is essentially
social that by mingling often with our
fellows we are schooied in Christian sym
pathy and forbearance, and knowing OF
necessity that the Sabbath days meeting
cannot afford sufficient opportunity tor IN
formal and Spontaneous greetings, so
helpful to US all; our worthy teacher, hop
ing in some way to meet these vital needs,
inaugurated under the auspices and watch
care of the church, our class soclals.
How we'll he has succeeded is answered
by the roll call of the largest young peo-
ple' bible class in this city, by the long
list of elegant socials, and by your pres
ence here tonight.
These socials are noted, not only for the
attendance and the excellent propriety of
conduct maintained, but also for the va
riety of entertainment afforded. From
the winter evenings gathering in pariors
to a spring picnic on the river or Fourth
of July up at Fishers and Chinese Ian
tern lawn social just in the opening of fall,
this class has yibrated and echoed and ever
reioiced through it all. No doubt much OF
the general cheer of the class may be ac-
counted for on what may be termed
felicitious combination in numbers; there
being about as many ladies as gentlemen;
thus no diffident young man suffers the
disorganizing pang of inattentlon.
Still another claim Is its nonsectarlan
spirit. All proper persons are welcome
to many of its meetings without regard to
church or other affiliations, and We speak
the very great pleasure OF the class IN It's
exchange of visits with other classes in the
CITY. Thus broader christian fellowship
is secured and the formality of creeds
broken down.
The last feature of which we shall speak
is its organization. While il has all the
flexibilfty of an informal affair to adapt
it to the changing conditions OF society,
vet it has all the rigid arrangements of
government bureau for correct manage
ment: in the form OF records of attend
ance and residence; OF an autographlc
register: of a magnificent album. and
memorial pages. Thus each member of
the class is made conscious part Of a
truly fraternal system.
Glass memoirs, by Prof. j. G. South
NV memory of the class begins with my
first acquaintance with its teacher. 1t is
part of that gentleman's business most
Il. 7Ifa 81 -
CITY directories. | had been sent TO apply
for a position under him. l approached
the gentleman with what courage / could
muster and made my business known.
The first question he asked me was. What
is your name?" Very naturally, OF course,
I answered, south" Staring at me with
some surprise, he said. Look here, young
wered. that Is really my name'' Quite
a remarkable coincidence. then-my name
Is North. | suppose you are from the other
end of the world" About this time two
clerks sitting near surveyed ne very criti-
caIly. / began TO feel somewhat III at ease
until the gentleman said. well, SIR, what
do you know about this business :" Not
much yet, SIR; i am here to learn" DO
you think you can succeed with IT." Yes,
SIR commonly succeed IN what / under
take" Then followed tests in peDmanshiD
and neatness, etc, in which 1 must have
pleased the gentlemon, - ne gave ne
place The next Sabbath / visited the
class, and thus it happened / became
member of the \. Z. b. {.
Teacher and pupils, all told, numbered
twelve members, Of whom bat two or
three are at the presedt time with Us I
Some have become teachers in the school, !
some are in the normal class preparing
themselves for such, the greater number
are scattered TO distant cities All were
earnest students and most sincere Chris |
tlans.
I remember that the interest taken was
infectious the class grew rapidly IL NAM !
bers. discussions were frequent aud AMI
mated. great enthusiasm was awakened
and soon our quarters became too small, |
al exchange was effected by which the
class took its present rooms
Up TO this period my part in the class
had been that OF a pupil only. All tcok
an equal part "a the discussions. About
this tine the class record wa purchased
ard its keeping intrasSed to NE. / remeIn-
Der well tue pleasure which ! found II en-
tering fhe constantly increasing roll O!
mem tp-rS and ia wrItEEg the testsfnonlais
granted By tfSe class 10 members leaving
Miss Rosa Oiiyer. a young lady whom !
some Of you know veil, Was me first 70 re-
ceiye this public recognition. Few could |
b.. rr.ors -.lr.se9 than she seemed az being
thus remembered
This record has now passed into the
bands Of your present seerssary. = ID !
Lieurarcs-
Ssuc- the transfer named above have
been considered the associate tescher of
tse elass. / keep carefully hidden araoar
mr. treasures testimonial granted n1e ~
the members of this class IL Was gwen -
r~.-sI5-,x rz-s4 ~ Snfrudnreigl and veses=s