The San Francisco call., 1901-10-08
IS THE WORLD BETTER ?

1.-TWO eminent clergynen in the East, during
recent convocation of their church, took occa-
Il sion to record their opinion that the world is
not only worse than ever, but that tendency is
toward still worse moral conditions
We think that these religious pessimists Their
lies in wrong estimate OF the conditions
which they are comparing. If they would realize
that there always good in the world, and learn
that the history Of remote ages recorded evil deeds
and left the good without witness they would
clude that this age is neither better than
any that preceded it There is the evidence of anal
ogy that every age mas been characterized by the
goodness and morality OF In the remote past,
now the evil deed, being exceptional finds rec
ord, while the good being common, is for that
unnoticed. The system that produced
Dionysius produced also Pythias and Damon.
David Uriah to be killed in the front of battle
but when he mouraed for Absalom it was an express
sion OF the passion OF paternal sorrow, common to
all
In every age, under all systems, in the Occident
and in The Orient, those who nave had a vision of
truth have turned It toward their fellow men as
means OF bettering their conduct and Sweetening
their lives. The human heart did not wait for any
special dispensaton, system of theology Its
promptings were toward the right and against the
wrong from the beginning of mans sef-conscous-
Those who claim for dspensation or one
revelation, all others, special and more than
natural influence over man, may grow weary waiting
for expected results transcending all that had gone
before Delay may make them pessimists and by
seeking ideal in that produce it they
may despair and turn upon with expression
of bitter disappointment.
But to the philosopher all ages have been good all
men capable OF seeking the TRUTH all plastic to the
effect of moral example all appreciating their weak
ness, able to discern and deplore their fall and
scarcely any who would rise again and be
clean. 1t is with this age, which has in retrospect
The inspiring view of all that has gone before The
sins of the past though frequently inscribed in
history than the virtues surely have not been pre-
served in form and features that allure mitators
The heart of man needs history to tell him that
always everywhere have felt as he feels, have
had the same choice between good and evil right
and wrong, that is his and have often chosen the
truth and rejected the false, and have as bravey
staked all on their choice Past ages having been
better than they SEEM their wickedness was like that
OF to-day, the exception and not the rule Man now
is better, noticeably better than ever before since
he is learning to do right because it is right and not
in hope OF reward fear of punishment If one
were asked for quality that distinguishes this above
all periods in the past this is that quality Men al
ways did right and Stunned wrong, but more men do
right now for rights sake than ever before and
fewer DO right from the lower motive of reward
promised a punishment threatened
If these pessimistic and complaining clergymen
would consider man as reasonable being with an
eternal germ of good in him. and less cod to be
fashioned into shape by external influence
their indictment OF the age would be quashed fol-
n-statement OF facts sufficient to justify it.
.@==---
Il is believed Upton would like to try again with
the same yacht, but with another captain He wishe.
the cup Just much as ever, but he is quite SO
eager 70 go 70 the expense Of building another boat