The Portland daily press., 1896-02-27
SOCIOLOGY.
Rev. Mr.. Prescott's Second Lecture at
Union Hall.

1t is a noticeable fact that what one
does with enthusiasm, one does most
effectually; and Mr.. Presoott's hearty
belief in the Importance of the study Of
sociology and the solemn joy that one
might feel in following out its lessons,
and resulting studies. made his leotufe
of y esterday afternoon peculiarly helpful
and stirring. The word sociology, he
explained, meant merely by derivations
a discussion of companionship or the
science of living together-the study OF
human life in it's varied relations. From
this study we ought to learn the lines
OF the leas resistance along which the
human soul could find it's highest deve-
lopments, mentally, morally, and spirit
ually. This study, too. would eventually
give US knowledge of the laws which
govern human society, not the sense of
legal coverings. but the natural laws
of working.
For it is not enough that kindly people
sh ould rush in with good Intentions"
to reform the wor Id, but they must
kno w the actual conditions and their
causes and must study life in all it's
plleScos 0spoClhlIy Uue up Ot OAc WolNlbS
world. From such scientific observa-
ton would result n knowledge that
would have some of the feat ures of sta
tistics: Knowing the number of births
and deaths in a community; the ratio
of marriages and divorces; crimes an d
the conditions which led to them. This
is the study of sociology. This should
always precede the work Of the reform
er, which should..perhaps arise from the
work of the SOCIOLOGICAL, but is not ne
cessarily part of it, Too many rsformers,
unfortunately, go about their reforms
without the preliminary study OF snci-
illogical conditions. The philanthropist
sociologist. with his added wisdom, is
more ready for the work of philanthropy.
He will know how not merely to help the
object of charity, not IN erely, even, to
aid him SO wisely that he will rise in
the scale of society, but he will help him
to help others. (This is what Mr.. Van
Ness in his lecture on Tolstoi said was
CLOVER classes to help themselves, to
set in motion schemes for their own ad-
vancement).
All this broadens our idea of life and
gives us conception of our part in the
world which far transoends the old no
| tion of ''doing our duty as ''our duty"
| Is seen to take in the regeneration of hu-
| man society.
The development of the science of soci-
ology began about fifty years ago, when,
| with the introduction of machinery and
the consequent throwing out OF many
| hand laborerS, social conditions became
much more complex than they had been.
| Such great leaders us Ruskin and Carlyle
| had little to offer as remedies for the
| evils they saw. A new view was needed
| and careful complication of the facts.
| This has been made by Herbert Spencer,
who, in his principles of sociology has
made a vast collection of facts bearing
| upon the social life of man in every
country of the globe. Since this publ l.
cation the study of sociology has been
taken up by earnest students in all the
universities. Such book as Lester
Wards Dynamic Sociology has car
ried on the subject still further. Follow
ing Spencer, society is now considered as
a living organist with, rs in the human
body, all the organs dependent on each
other. Beginning with single cell, di-
viding and re-dividing itself, series of
groups OF cells are established. So in
society we have the evolution of the
individual. the family, groups of famil-
les, the clan, the community and then
the nation. Each is to be interested in
all, and all in each. There will neces
sariiy be struggle, seeming olashing
interests, but as Drummond shows
in, his Assent of Man." there is not
only struggle for ourselves but strug-
gle for the life of others; that is, a
truism, which is just rs real and potent
factor as the selfish struggle for in
divfdual existence. With this feeling
we are saved from the ''let alone" Cos
pei, and joyfully take part In the worlds
work; not believing with the pessl mist
in spite of the seeming prevalence of
crime that the world is growing worse,
but rather better, uniting Through our
careful study OF facts united by philan-
thropic zeal, "the dynamics of enthusi
asm with the Gictation of intellect.