The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-28
THE SOCIAL SPIRIT N AMERICA.

Prof. Charles r. Henderson. author Of
the work named above. is an Indioua man
He was born in Lafayette, where his father
and family were stanch members of the
Baptist Church. While a young man ne
was the very successful pastor OF the First
Baptist Church of TerTe Haute, from
where he moved 10 Detroit. Mich, and sub
sequently became professor Of sociology In
the University Of Chicago. DR.. Henderson
has occupied this chair from the beginning
of the university with great acceptability.
publishing from time TO time valuable
books upon the speciality, as well as lectur-
ing in Illinois and the adjoining States.
In his book, which is published by Scott.
Foresman < Co, Chicago. DIR. Henderson
has popularized our social and sociological
duties as well as the methods Of best per-
forming them. The volume is a part of the
C-hautauqua course for 19O1-02. Nothing
could be more attractive than its chapters,
from "Home-making'' to "Road-building."
In graceful and graphic periods the author
treats of our various duties as parents and
citizens. laying special emphasis upon
charities. education, working peoples
wages and our religious life.
Selections from the chapter titles show
now dllIdGNlNe anu VIdCAltdt ~ q
subject as sociology may be made by a
writer like DR.. Henderson, who deals with
the concrete rather than speculates on the
abstract: Home Making as a Social Art,
Better Houses for the People" THE Pub
lie HEALTH Good Roads" THE Organi-
cation Of Wage-earners," 'Socialized
Beauty and Recreation" Charity and
Correction" 1.-The Institution Of Ideals
~ - - 80 nell he
applied Christianity" While DIR. Hender-
son does not say less psalm-singing and
fewer Iong-winded prayers" still he none
the less emphasizes the essential hypocrisy
OF weIl-fed and weIl-paid pastors and
church members in shifting the relief of
the destitute upon the Lord by a string of
high-sounding sentences and a few reluct-
ant dollars. To work is to pray, and the
object OF the book is to suggest TO begin
ners how 10 work the most efectually, and
who are our neighbOrs.
Here are a couple of quotations to show
of what manner the book is:
w are learning the value Of franchises.
We have come TO the end of giving away
the use of roads and streets to make rich
capitalists still richer. We are weary OF
yielding. without compensation. our streets
TO be deformed by unslghtly poles and
wires. We are coming to see that a part OF
every fare we pay should go to some pub
lie use. Now that electric roads are running
in every direction. il is time for farmers
TO look after their interests and exact com
pensatiOn. Many companies will be glad to
keep the highway in order for their use. II
county and township authorities are honest
and will be up early on the day when the
franchise is to be let"
There is no historical qualification of So
ciety in this country like the rocks that
hold one class down forevermore and LET
another come to the surface and stay
there forever and rest upon those beneath
Our social qualification is like the ocean
where every individual drop is free to move
and where, from the deepest depths, any
drop may come up to glitter upon the high
est waves. . We confront the dan
gers Of suffrage by the blessings Of fret
and universal education"
ID. z.