The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-24
THE CAUSE AND CURE OF SUICIDE.
BY REV. c. @. Common.

material things engage and hold it.
Being moves with but single aim.
The body is no burden which is self
supportful and self -propelling. Be-
fore men find out witty inventions by
which they may climb or fly, they
are content to walk or run on the
earth. Savages have not INDUCED
to measurable extent in the carni-
val of self-destruction. In nations
that have been semi civilized suicide
has been rare. Among peoples that
have advanced in civilization and
culture it has become most common.
The Germans, who are the greatest
thinkers and best cultured people,
are said to be the most suicidal race
in Europe today. In the last decade
there has been rapid increase of
numbers in our country, and pre-
sumo the proportions will run about
parallel in other civilized countries.
l. Can it be that civilization is a
necessary provocative of self-des-
truction? Have the institutions of
the nineteenth century opened path
to the unseen and taught that the
way is broad and easy, while they
have narrowed the road to earthly
success?
We have a civilization to the de-
mands of which every individual is
not equal. Many have measured
their powers against that which holds
sway and have felt their lack. Some
have submitted to living order and
have gone to their humble place
which they try to fill with sense Of
duty; others would not be visibly
baffled by any forces against which
they must contend and lose, step
apart, dig their own grave and hide
themselves in it. And others still
grow weary of the race, sicken of the
fiattery of fortune. lapse suddenly at
a reverse and shuttle off the mortal
coil. And none, in fastening, has re-
gard to the great law of duty which
binds the living to the living.
2. Mems faith in better world
beyond has made them, in instances,
eager to resign this, and they have
written out their designations and
forwarded them. The old Scandina-
vians believed that the souls of the
brave went at death to the hall of
Odin. Dying gallantly was the con-
dition of entrance there, and we are
told that men would rush on swords,
jump from crags, or do any daring
deed which led to death.
We are living in an atmosphere of
faith in hereafter. Desiring the
better even if the assurance has not
been gained that they shall enter
with meet conditions happy state
beyond, some will take their chance
in darkness, not understanding, may
be, the first principles of spiritual
and eternal life.
B. Example is to be charged with
much and disposition to follow with
the same amount of the evil. Men
initiate others too oft. They do things
under spell without reason. Exam
pie hypnotizes. In the age of Nero
martyrdom became easy. In seasons
of religious awakening Christian
profession is a widely public act.
When dependency seizes one heart
the contagion spreads. Epidemics
of suicide become as common as those
of disease. One surrenders, then an
other because of the first.
Is there cure adequate to the
whole evil?
Remedy shall have to come upon
the grounds of the causes.
l. In civilization, in the midst of
many enterprises and labors, we want
measure of quiet and content and
neighborly regard.
We are living at too high pres
sure, some are realizing. We are try
ing to make hundred and City or
two hundred cents out of every dol
lar, as George Stephenson accused
Lindley, who was overworking, OF
attempting to get thirty shillings out
of his pound, and advised him to
stop it. "God has planted GASES
along the way at which we might
pause for refreshment and recreation,
but we pass them"
A certain amount of competition is
we'll. But when it makes men more
grasping for the first chance and
narrows their life-vision to one hard
line of business, it is ill. There is
not enough of real Christianity in
our civilization or our commerce.
Men are reading too many business
letters on Sunday and are hearing
too few sermons. Intellectual acumen
to perceive the one strategic point for
a successful business deal, needs sup
plementing with breadth of Christian
culture. Business has become too