The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-04

The Eloquent Minister Takes Dis
passionate View,
CAUSE OF THE TRANSyAAL CRISIS
IL is the Inevitable Logic Of Human
Destiny, the Evolution of the
Highest and Best Is Human
Possibilities, and the
Survival OF the
Fittcst.

Rev Dr. L. y. Calisch preached last
night at Beth Ahaba to a large congre-
CATION, his subject being "Boer and Brit
on"
Taking his text from Zachariah xiv. o.
Rabbi Calisch began by saying that ne
did not presume It was necessary 20 state
that be did not propose TO discuss the
subject from a political or diplomatic
standpoint. but rather froil that Of the
dIspasslOnate spectator. who, whie ne
might have his sympathies with one side
on the other. yet is merely an onlooker.
The pulpit was a participant in human
struggles, yet it was the province or lhe
pulpit 10 be the invariabie guide. 10 nnd
out the lessons Of lfe's incidents, 10 DIS
cover the pattern OF God S plans as tney
were being woven In the woof OF the years
by the shuttle of human endeayor.
A CYNIC'S IDEA.
n was striking coincidence that the
close of this marvellous century should
find the two foremost nations OF the world
iu conflict with most distant and Interior
peoples. The cynical observer OF affairs
would say that the real cause behind the
present crisis I'M the Transvaal was the
lust and greed that affected nations as
well as individuals. and The Beers were
being sacrificed upon the altar Of British
territorial greed.
Granting the cynic the correctness OF
his diagnosis. yet 10 could not but be
observed that the course of affairs pointed
% very important moral Nations OF old
had vast possessions but they did no'
compare with the empires being built
up by England and America the 'domin-
ions over palm and pine' that were co-
extensive with the confines of the earth.
10 ls the inevitable logic of human des-
tiny. the evolution of The highest and
best IN human possibilities, the survival
OF the htte5t. remembering always, that
iu lhe dnauty Of things this means Of the
morally httest
From The standpoint of humanity IL
does seem cruel and mayhap even unjust.
that the small nations are not permitted
20 work out their salvation according to
Their own lights that the barbarian
should not have as much right to his
land as the civilized man has 10 his.
But the truth is he has, 10 certain eX-
tent NJ long as be- does not come in
conflict with civilization. II is true that
the barbarian should have rights which
civilization ought 90 respect but II is
no less true that civilization has rights
which the barbarian is bound to observe.
A man who lives on the outskirts OF a
city. or In the isolation OF the fields, may
maintain a nuisance Of dirt and filth.
and no one will say him aught Byt when
the clty grows up % him and clean-iiv-
frtr rrffr f.I. flI
he must abate his nuisance and clean
mp his premises This is barbarism and
civilization in miniature.
AN INFERIOR RACE.
In the present instance. granting 10 the
Beers all that has been said 20 their
credit their courage humane treatment
of British wounded and prisoners, grant
ing even the justice of their claims and
contentious. yet It must be admitted that,
compared 90 the BritOn the Boer is as
the barbarian TO the civilized man. His
Is an arrested development, the culture
of the seventeenth century. where knowl-
edge. arts sciences, civil and religious
rights are held In check by the brutal
power OF fanatic ignorance.
IL has been said that II it were not for
the gold and diamonds I'm their land no
it was simply the horde OF gold-seekers.
adventurers. spectators and diamond
hunters that have brought on the troubles
leading 10 the present crisis All or
which may be doubtless true. but IL does
not altar the inexhorable fact that when
the civilization represented by the Brlton,
meets the civilization represented by the
Boer no matter what the agencies that
brought them together, the latter must
inevitably succumb
COMMON BROTHERHOOD.
The reason for this is that one repre-
sents the agency that makes for human
brotherhood and the other for the force
that retards its advent The highest ideal
OF humanity is its common brotherhood.
bound together by the slken cords Of
love and tokenng the common fatherhood
OF God Our material progress Is one OF
the most effective means Of spreading this
gospel of love art. invention. discovery
commerce. these are the outriders Of the
chariot of civilization. Isolation IS the
characteristic OF barbarism, fraterniza-
ton Is the fruit OF that civilization. It's
powers are the ones that annihiiate time.
distance and training. that uproot terri
torial limits. national boundaries ana lin
guistic barriers. that are breaking down
the wall that custom, language, TRADITION
and selfish interests have built up. 10
keep nations apart that have made paths
of the heaving oceans roadways Of the
massive mountains. messengers OF the
lightning 10 bring people unto people,
and tribe unto tribe. and race unto race.
that they may better know each other.
and knowing clasp hands. and I'm that
touch recognize that under all the var.e-
ties OF human development there Is yet
the one. same humanity, and al children
Of the one. same God
Who will deny the beauty Of this hope
or the happiness OF its realization? And
that which opposes 1t must yield. II not
TO the forces Of inherent decay or out
lived usefulness, then 10 the pressure OF
external arms. every influence that stands
In the way OF the consummation Of this
far-ot. divine event must perish. Our
sympathles may go out TO the defeated
nationalities. but the logic Of history will
demand the sacrifice.
The nations can appeal to the great
tribunal OF time. and il Is then seen that
only that which IS founded on righteous
ness and maintained In Justice will sur
viye all else Is grass that withereth and
Hover that fadeth