The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-19


and exasperates but does not educate
nor conciliate. So the whirligig of time
brings about it's revenges upon US, and
what should have been done from prin
ciple must be acquiesced in from me-
cessity.
The Rev. John Watson preached
what is described as his first and only
sermon in America" at the Fifth Ave-
nue. Presbyterian church in New York,
December 6. As the church could ac-
commodate only portion of those who
came to hear the author Of beside the
Bonnie Brier Bush,' and as all his other
friends in America would like to know
what he preached about in that first and
only sermon. it was finely considerate in
DIR. Watson to choose for that occasion
a sermon which had been published in
this country, and often reprinted. We
were thus enabled to know that he
preached an excellent sermon for
we had read it ourselves months be-
fore.
The president of the Western Re-
serve University, the Rev. G. F. Thwing,
considers in the December Forum "Tne
Drawbacks of a College Education"
The drawbacks most frequently men
toned are not those President Thwing
recognizes. His catalogue includes the
cultivation of the love of doing only
what is agreeable; training the judg
ment of the student at the expense of
his energy; filling the mind with useless
knowledge; promoting individualism
rather than social fellowship; and devel-
oping a selfish and pessimistic spirit.
Most critics of colleges will think that
DIR. Thwing has set himself an easy task
in choosing to parry the force of such
disadvantages as these. They will think
of extravaganza, love of luxury, dilettan-
teism on the one hand and the sporting
spirit on the other, cramming as a sub
stitute for education, and the distorting
influence of college politics. These are
real "drawbacks" which do not seem to
be diminishing. President Thwing
would recognize the evil while setting
against it the good If his vision were
more comprehensive his reforms would
be more salutary.
Though President Cleveland must
be credited with some of the most saucy
war talk any of our chief magistrates
have INDUCED in. he is able to announce
at the close of his administration con-
dition of foreign relations extremely
pacific and satisfactory. After having
given the tail of the British lion so vig-
orous twist only year ago, it is beau
tifully compensatory to read the story
the President is able to recite as to the
arrangements with Great Britain for
arbitration. appropriately eliminating
with the paragraph disposing of the
Venezuelan question. The irritating
problem presented by the war in which
Spain is exhausting herself to retain
possession of Cuba, is treated in the
Presidents message with wisdom and
dignity, and at the same time with
frankness. The statement that the
United States has offered its mediation
with view to bringing the wasteful
strife to an end. will be gratifying to all.
The temper of the Congress is not we
fear, favorable to so venerable an idea,
but we could wish that the weighty
words of the President as to the timeli-
ness and the duty of economy might sink
into the ears of our representatives. We
must have more revenue. is the message
borne on every Washington breeze.
Could not somebody find it in his faint
heart to lift up the cry, less extrava-
gance? If there is any truth at all in
the general belief that the times are
hard, and that they do not rapidly i'm
prove-as we know too we'll there is
why should not the affairs Of the nation
come under the wholesome rule busi-
ness man or corporation adopts in the
same circumstances? You cannot get
more revenue. gentlemen, except from
the people. either directly or indirectly.
Is it probable that you can make their
times less hard by asking them for more
of their substance to pay inconsider-
ately, not to say recklessly. inflated
bills?
The mission of the National Secre-
tary OF the Y. P. G. U. in central and
northern New York, has, we trust, been
source OF satisfaction to himself. We
are quite sure it has been beneficial to
the Unions. Mr.. Garfield brings mes
sage of good cheer and takes away
hearty God speed. The ideal which he
holds up before the young people is true
and high, and the exposition he gives of
the meaning and use of the departments
of the organization is adapted to remove
misapprehensions, correct abuses and
keep the membership in line with the
important religious ends for which the
Y. P. @. U, was created. Besides. the
visit of an official representative OF the
National body tends directly to con-
solidate the faith and the purpose of the
separate Unions. From what we have
seen and heard we take pleasure in
bearing witness to the wisdom, dignity
and fna snirit in which the Secrafary