Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-27
rHAEkselwne DAY.
CONTINUED from page So


ticle. says that "A most encouraging sign
of the times is--that we. as people.
have got over believing that all that Is
ours is good and that our social condi-
lions are model for the nations. The
vainglory that was so prevalent before
and after the war has vanished and We
have turned "A critical eye upon ourselves.
We at last fully recognize that we are
socially sick-the first hopeful step to-
ward a cure. What are the forces organ
izing for cure? The church. to which
past generations have too largely left the
diseases of society, was never more ably
led than now. albeit as social force It's
power seems to be waning. But this may
be apparent rather than real. Perhaps II
Is better to say that its influence Is
divided. II is still our highest standard
OF purity and correct life. But its hui
manitarian and Christian teachings have
fruited in a hundred ways and it now
finds itself surrounded, and its sway
shared. by score of organizations whose
object. like that of the church. their
mother is the social and moral we'll
being of the community.
1t Is about half a century since the
movement began which was to raise wo-
men from mere Servitude and dependence
to a position of influence as a public
moral force. Her progress has been
rapid and today. the tremendous lifting
power of organized womanhood is being
felt everywhere in aid of the progressive
ana Saving loTceS III SOCIelN
The marvellous growth of the Woman $
Christian Temperance Union until 1t en-
braces the whole world in its scope ana
every community in its influence IS tne
moral wonder of this generation. AKIN
to this is the formation of women $ CLUBS
for mutual Improvement. They are num-
bered by the thousand and include every
state in the Union-and through them
they are supplementing the de1ectiNe eu-
ucation of the schools and grasping the
tn,.ay of UnN
ness and civics generally and becoming
expert in the important practical analrS
of life. 1t is sometimes mentioned as a
degenerating sign that so many ladies'
whist clubs are running in some commu-
mites But the chances are that these
clubs will blossom eventually into some
new form of agency for moral or social
Improvement. A degenerating influence
from women bright enough to play IA
good game of whist is hardly conceivable.
Then there are the womens literary
clubs. art clubs. village Improvement So
cieties and school Improvement societies.
all looking into social conditions and do
ing something to improve them. The
Young Mems Christian Association. the
Christian Endeavor Society the Epworth
Leagues and the scores of fraternal organ
izations whose aim and practice are all
toward the wel-bcng of individual MEM
hers and hence of society. all these indi-
cate the gradual approach OF the time
prophesied by Robert Burns:
Its coming yet for a that.
When man to man, the world Ger.
Shall brothers be. for "a that.
When has there ever been a time in the
history of the world when the hearts of
men and women were so responsive TO
the calls of charity as now? When were
the wealthy ever so munihcent IN tnelr
gifts for religious educational and charl-
table purposes? To what generation OF
the past could Augusta have so success
fully appealed to private generosity Tor
the funds to erect its beautlful LlthgoW
library for free public use? !f lgno-
rance is the mother of misrule, the free
library is powerful curative.
Never has there been such a looking
into our social evils. by organized intelll-
gence as now. in hundreds of commune
ties OF such organizations the Century
club of Boston. $ a type. in which 125
intelligent men and women of wealth and
Culture are making a critical and palms.
taking Investigation of the tenement
house system and the social evils con
nected with it. and have determined that
it is feasible that there shall be no slums
in Boston and that the club shall accom-
plish their renovation into districts of
moral and physical healthfulness.
Of the various efforts making toward
reform in municipal government and san
itary conditions have not time to speak.
The age of dogma and superstition Is
gone forever. Creeds are showing signs
of wear. Christian union mas pasSeu It's
visionary stage. The brethren of differ
ing beliefs find their differences no social
bar as formerly. and are beginning to
dwell together IN unity. wealthy Epis-
copalian recently gave $l25.OOO to the
Methodists of Texas. The Universalists.
the Unitarians and the modern Congre-
gationalists are making common cause
against the dreadful doctrines of Calvin
ism which prevailed in the last genera
ton. A distinguished Baptist clergyman,
Dr. Clifford. led a discussion against close
communion. in a convention the other
day This led facetious Methodist min
lister to tell his conference that it would
not be long before they could recognize
the Baptists as Christians! The evolu-
ton of the church universal is progress
ing. Society is in a transition state re-
ligiously and socially. as well as indus
trially. but the conditions are encOurag-
ing and the future bright with promise
The closing address was made by
Rev. j. S. Williamson on Things To
Regret. and Things To Rejoice Over in
the Religious World
t.Thinus 10 Reuret and Ihjnus to Rejoice OveI