The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-03-13

4 ~ NSAsoStosAS ANSeS
have expanded until they have ban
iehee slavery from civilization aud
changed the character Of Europe.
Federation, illustrated in our union
Of States and just begun at the open
ing of the last century, has been fol-
lowed by Switzerland, Germany, Can
ada, aud Australia, aud promises soon
to bind Great Britain and her colonies
in one vast British empire.
Our own naticn, evolving from the
union of almost Independent States
with diverse interests into mighty
nationality w1ioh possesses the patri-
otic loyalty of all its citizens, suggests
the ties which may in coming years
draw together the Anglo-Saxon race.
The strongest tie that binds these
peoples 10 ono another is common
religious faith. The last century sur
/ passes all others in the spread of
Christianity. All the great mission
ary societies of Great Britain aud
America, except five, have been or
sanizoi since 1910. All lands now
hear the gospel of Christ, while hun
dred years ago Christian light had
hardly begun to penetrate the dense
darkness of heathenism. Christians
Of all denominations are uniting more
and more effectivelv. in common work.
The British and Foreign Bible Socie-
ty, beginning in 1904, and the Ameri-
can Bible Society, in 1916, have been
followed by the Young Mems Chris
tian Association in 1874, tho Evangel-
ioai Alliance and the Young Peoples
Society Of Christian Endeayor, the
last named bringing Eve millions Of
young people into orgauis,d Christian
Fellowship. The modern Sunday
School, belongs essentially to this CEN
tury.
An expanding popular intelligence
is the key which explains llthis won
derful progress. Few nations had any
exact educational data in 1900 by
which comparisons can be made. In
our own country the first census to
gather information concerning illiter-
acy was in 1850. But there were no
universities in the United States
hundred years ago, no system of eff
cient free schools, hardly any provis.
ion for the education of women. Our
public school revenue has grown from
few hundreds of thousands of dollars
to one hundred and seventy millions
and what were perhaps five hundred
thousand pupils have increased to over
fifteen millions, with four hundred
and fifty colleges and universities hay-
ing nearly six hundred thousand stu-
dents.
The new century opens with all this
inestimable Inheritance from the past.
What it infolds would require bold
prophet to predict. But the future is
wrapped up in the past and the pres
ent, as the oak is held in the acorn.
The deeper our insight into the mean.
ing Of human history the more acour-
ately we can forecast the future. Ma
teriai development, starting from the
wealth Of inventive product We now
possess, will certainly be immense.
Within the new century we may cross
the ocean in day, may send the hu-
man voice round the globe, and may
see with our eyes what is transpiring
on the other side of it. Who can
measure mans achievements with the
tanned lightning at his commando
Humanity will have new meaning
in the coming century: Within few
years line Of railway, already fully
surveyed, will be opened from New
York to Buenos Ayres, another from
London to South Africa, another from
St. Petersburg to South China. Peo-
pies that hardly have heard of one
another will be brought into close con-
tact. A better understanding between
nations and afraternal spirit will en-
sue. IF universal peace be not ostab-
lished the civilized nations will create
strong police force 60 promote it.
Religious faith. based on clearer
knowledge, will promote more toler-
ant and fraternal spirit; aud Jesus
Christ, who was lifted up on the cross
to save the world, will draw all men
unto him. He abi1es.
This earth aud the universe Of
which it is part will pass through
changes we cannot foretell.
''They all shall wax old as doth gar
ment;
And as mantle shalt thou roll them
up,
! As q garment. and they ahall be chang