The Washington times., 1901-12-30
ALL THE WORLD A SCHOOL.
DIR. Ensron's Tribute Yesterday Ia
1inn's Ability 10 Teach Himself.

Days should speak. and multitude of
years should teach wisdom. was Dr.
Thomas c Easton's topic yesterday morn
ing at the Eastern Presbyterian Church.
He termed the world a large school
house and all society its teachers. He
said in part:
1T is 10 the honor of our new century
that so many great and good things clus-
ter within its first decade. but it is
disgrace to the human race in general
that it had no railroads at the opening
of the last century and had no printing
presses in the days of Homer and Virgil.
Man could write poetry 1000 years ago,
but he did not know that the world was
round. Man steps forward as a grand
and beauty and happiness and goodness,
and the problems he has solved. and the
Victories he has won are tremendous.
The being who wrote The thoughts of
Persia and Greece can be forgiven for
travelling on horseback. and sending his
mail by man on foot hundred miles.
Sages who composed the "llaid" and
Odyssey" may be forgiven for the alb
sence Of steamships, and the earth might.
without sin. still be considered fiat II
only IL grew such men as Plato and
Socrates. and we can forgive its old wood
en- plows n the handles were held by
Cincinnatus
''All in all, man is great occupant OF
the earth. and alarms all analysis by the
many sides of his greatness. Now. at the
close of one more year at school. this
learner. this perpetual pupil. this ever
lasting boy, comes to US with mary bad
marks of deficiencies in some studies and
a proud advance in others. Man cannot
yet guard his home and warehouses
against fire, for the flames have dCyoured
millions of property the last year. Men
cannot yet drain ali their cities, as
typhoid is still menace TO thousands.
They cannot yet supply their homes with
pure water.
Many toll too much. and there are as
many who follow an industry too ardently
as there are Others who too ardently avoid
all labor of hand or brain. Franklin stood
by electricity without seeing the tele-
graph or night transformed to day, but
our era stands near times hundred de-
grees happier and nobler. and yet we Will
not compel The blessed years to appear
Franklin failed from not seeing the good;
our age fails for not caring Tor what it
sees"
Continuing Or. Easton compared this
country with the Old World. saying:
Whole multituies follow some few
paths OF progress and neglect others.
France loves art and politeness. Germany
loves music and is beauty mad. italy is
satisfied with climate bright colors. and
song. Our nation loves iDdividualism and
riches and home: most of the money it
makes goes into the growth of private
life. unless the water Drained heiress IS
dying TO marry some old knight. duke, or
prince pauper in Europe. In the mon
arches these sums of money go into royal
families: in cur land gains lead family
out of log cabin into an elegant resi-
dence. aud send TO college children whose
parents could hardly read or write In
the Old World povertystricken family
continues such for generations and gen
and hundred years are like one
year. In mis- country the cabin cradles
our Presidents. The ccrnields OF Ken
tucky grow orators. and the cash boy
grows into a princely merchant"