The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-13

eminent. The great races OF tne
world are educated races, and they
know that not only is their greatness
due to education, but that their hold
on the future depends upon it.
mature does but little for man.
Education must do almost all, and
the Importance of education is evident
from the inability of nature to- ac-
complish the ends which lie embodied
in her boundless resources. Nature
can produce very good tree, but she
cannot produce fine horse, much
less fine man. 1t is only when art
comes to her aid and releases the re-
sources that are hidden in her, that
her wilderness becomes a dream OF
beauty. It is so in the realm of mind.
Only babes are born. Men and poets
alike are made, and we may define
education as the process in which art
comes to the aid of nature and helps
her to realize that of which she her.
self could not even dream, much less
realize. Education is the transform
alton of possibilities into potencies.
81 use the word education in its most
comprehensive sense. 1t is lament
able fact that a great deal of what
passes for education is missnamed
education. The process is simply
the filling of the mind with facts,
which are thrown in and jumbled to-
gether, unrelated and useless for any
practical ends. 1t is carrying out
of the old maxim that knowledge is
power,-a maxim which does not con-
tain truth and hardly a half truth,
for we all know that knowledge is not
power, but power is the ability to use
and relate what knowledge gives to
us.
"He alone is fitted to be the servant
of man, in the larger relation in which
service is needed in the social ant
political world, who has had the
training to see and grasp relations.
Not he who has that dangerous thing
little learning, or that more danger
GUS thing, half thought out, half
formed sociological hobby; but man
of trained intellect, a man who knows
what the past has to teach in politics
and society can solve the urgent prob
lens of the present and future. The
salvation of American politics and
American society lies in the hands of
just such men as this. I do not know
but that I may safely say that the
one hopeful thing of the movement
for women suffrage lies right here in
this fact, that since women are receiv-
ing by far the greater advantages of
public education, and are themselves
doing the greater part of the work of
public education, it would not be
surprising if their accession to politi
cal power which is perhaps coming,
will add new force to the political
and social life of the world, and be-
come new factor in the solution of
political problems,-the factor of a
consecrated intelligence.
"Another of the great achievements
is character. or to use magnificent
word, sanctified by the usage of the
Hebrew Prophets = righteousness.
Character is the most pervasive force
in the life of men. 1t is a subtle,
voiceless, impalpable power which
makes its presence felt though no
word be spoken and no sign be given.
1t underlies and permeates every in
tellectual performance, and gives it
tone and quality. What man does
is absolutely dependent on what he
is. Hence, whether he loves or hates,
builds or destroys, it is character that
fashions his work and makes it what
it is.
"We have heard great deal in
recent years about the greatest thing
in the world. With all due Difference
to Mr.. Drummond and his bright and
interesting little book, l venture to
affirm that love is not the greatest
thing in the world. No sentiment
can claim to be the greatest thing
in the world. Love is very beau
tiful, and without it life would be
robbed of half its charms. But
great is the quality of the soul which
looks duty in the face and obeys.
The greatest thing in the world is
righteousness; and this is our great
est thought of God, for our highest
thought of him is that He is eternally
right. l would rather be chastised
and buffeted and smitten by a being
whose highest quality is righteous
ness, than be pampered by being
whose highest attribute is love, for 1
should at least know that my judg-
ment was just.
"In righteousness l include fidelity