The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-06-06

les. and all that relates to the public
welfare, would not this duplicate the
highest work the world is now en-
gagged in, and be fruitful of blessed
change in the future? If these three
reforms-the peace reform, the tenn
perance reform, and the movement
for the advancement of women-were
carried, the world would take a
mighty leap forward into the good
time coming" They will probably
never eventuate as we have planned
nor accomplish just what we antici-
pate, but they will prove a gain to
the race, and take from the battle OF
life something of its hardness, its
hoplessness, and its brutality. Be-
lieve me, all three of these reforms
are coming up the steps Of time, and
are vet to be verities. We may not
live to see it; but some of you will
behold the approach of them, even if
you are not permitted to see the full
glory of God pass by. Whoever
works for the improvement of the
world, for the lessening of those
things that are evil and for the bring
ing about of what is to help human
ity, has his hand in the hand of God,
and takes on something of Gods al
mightiness. Those who work with
God will win, and do win, as
l have seen again and again DUR
ing my seventy five years of varied
experience in life. Victory is post
poued for time, but ultimately the
right triumphs.
There are other matters that enter
into the battle OF life. If you have
any ethical nature or any public spirit
in you,-and the man or woman who
does not care for the public welfare
is comparatively valueless,-you are
compelled to stand for the right in
the community where you live. You
are obliged to look after such matters
as temperance in your town or neigh
borhood, sanitation, education, the
prevention of small evils that grow to
be great nuisances, pure water sup
ply, lighting, good roads; and in
these matters women are as much in
terested as men. No matter how
small your community may be, there
are always public questions coming up
which call for your help, and for
which or against which you must do
battle. When we all know that every
one is up to his neck in trouble and
care, is it not astonishing that we can
not learn to be kind and tolerant rath
er than critical and denunciatory, for
ever saying and doing that which
adds to the bitterness of the almost
despairing, who are needing help in
stead? Some do this unintentionally,
but there is too much Intentional
wounding of our comrades in life. If
we cannot go as fast and as far as
others, let us go with our hands full
for those who need our assistance.
remember during the war going
in an ambulance some twenty miles,
after the battle of Murfreesboro, to
the field hospitals which had been
established along the way. We fol-
lowed along after the struggling col
umn, that was not compelled to
march with exactness, but was al
lowed to travel as was most comfort
able. As we moved along, l observed
how the men swore. | had never
heard such language. The chaplain
rode up to my ambulance, and said:
"How these men swear! AS soon as
they come in contact with Hoods
army, there is to be battle. Think
now unfit they are to die!' At first |
sympathized with the remark, and
said to myself" Wasit worth while for
me to leave my home and children
and all my pursuits to come down
here to these foul-mouthed men, who
do not care for anything good?" The
day was hot, and by and by the men
began to drop. One man after an
other would fall out, and be put into
the ambulance. Then, when the am
balances were full, the strong officers
would dismount and lift the fallen
soldiers in their places and walk on
behind; or, when that could not be
done, and the feeble fellows had to
be left by the way, they would be
placed in the shade of clump of
trees or under "the shadow of great
rock in weary land" and left with
healthy men to bring them on later,
with canteens of water and supplies
of rations. When the night came on,
and we were all in our tents, would
hear these men coming in one after
another, bringing their comrades with
them; and l found that all were