The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-09-13
Closing Days at Greenacre,

Greenacre, Eliot Me-, Sept. 10, 1895.
The Rev. Charles Ferguson, of Co.
hasset, Mass, gave lecture on the "Rise
of Democratic Aristocracy," in which
he showed how the distinctions of aris-
tocracy wers a relic of the past when the
idea prevailed that certain portion of
humanity was inherently superior to the
remainder. Under that idea. aristocratic
tendencies were logical and practical, but
in the American Republic our aristocracy
of wealth is grated supon social system
whose very foundation is the inherent
equality of all humanity, and it is illogi-
cal and impractical The working people
will endure this domination of the aris-
tocracy only SO long as they think their
condition is accidental and temporary.
When it becomes Intentional and perma-
nent they will rise up and destroy their
masters. If we would avert this cataclysm
the remedy must be the voluntary service
of the rich. They must become willing
to hold their wealth and power simply in
trust for the good of humanity.
on Zone Aspect of Metaphysics inrelation
to the we'll being of Humanity in which
he said that the metaphysical philosophy
was optimistic and humanitarian. Its
three fundamental teachings might be
stated to be the perfection of Divinity,
the unity of Divinity and humanity and
the inherent perfection OF humanity.
Briefly, the Interpretation of these teach
ings is that God is impartial, unchange-
able, and God of love and not OF anger;
that humanity, as the expressof Divinity,
as indissolubly united,with.it aslthe Source
of all life, power and holiness; and that
humanity, made in the Divine image, is
inherently perfect, and as it comes into
the consciousness OF that perfection, will
manifest it more and more. Under this
belief, and the life which must show it
forth in action, universal love and broth
erhood bee ONE part of the Divine plan,
and health, Wilderness and harmony for
all mankind, follow as the result OF the
nature of mans being.
The formal closing day was occupied
with a conference meeting, in which
many took part, speaking earnest words
as to the great value OF the summer S
work and what it must mean in renewed
conservation and devotion to the service
of humanity The occasion was graced by
the genial presence of John W. Hutchin-
son, the last remaining member OF the
celebrated Hutchinson family of singers
who did so much in the anti-slavery
agitation. He is beautiful in the rlpeneSs
of his years, and sang and talked with a
simplicity and strength which aresrarely
seen in an octogenarlan.
The last address of the season was an
inspiring one by Robert A. Woods of the
Andover House College Settlement, Bos-
ton. Ills subject was: Is there an Alter
native to Socialism," In this he showed
that the only supposed alternative to So
cialism was individualism, and that the
ultimate result of this, the development
of the individual, is socialism in it's
purest and best form. The individual
cannot stand alone All that he has OF
power orsvalue comes from his relations
to society as member OF it,. Society,
on the other hand, is composed OF indi-
viduals, and can only be reformed by the
transforming of the individual The
future of society, therefore, is the future
of the individual All the best reform
work today is being done along the lines
which go to make men and women bettcr
members of society, and which show them
whaJ their relations are to society. The
full understanding and application OF
this principle will revolutionize educa-
ton. business, politics and the church
This is the great moral revolution that
is now going on as a part OF the Divine
purpose by which the very clods OF hui
manity are being brought to conscious
ness Of their divinity, and in which all
mankind are coming into the universal
brotherhood.
A rare event in closing week was the
benefit to Greenacre given by Miss Emma
Thursby, the prima donna, assisted by
Mrs. Ole Bull and other artists, who
have themselves been for some time en-
ioying the Congress. This beautiful
Offering of talent met its due appreciation
and the receipts were very generous.
1t is impossible to estimate the value to
the world of these weeks Of lectures in
struotion and the daily communion OF
Christ-like souls. The spreading abroad
of the "Greenacre spirit" and the "Green-
acre idea'' would substitute cooperating
for competition, and bring love, joy.
peace and harmony to the ends of the
earth. Long may the silken nag oil
"Peace" wave above Greenacre, and long
may Miss Farmer, the noble woman who
conceived and planned everything con-
nected with the Congress, live to give
material form and execution to her
cberiebod idea1s and visions