The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-02-10


 ar JeIusalem.
 Philistinism then in modern life is ev- erything devoid of moral and spiritual ideal; it is whatever is low in the con Ception Of life.
 In society Philistinism is not wealth, but low use of wealth. A social life which is not lifted up and frightened by clear, pure idea, is essentially vul- gar, though it be fashionable, and Phil istine though it be aristocratic. A good illustration of modern social Philistin- ism is afforded by the Paris edition of the New York Herald. There may be Philistinism also in education. It may enter our system of education at any point from the public school to the higher education of the university. Mere professional teaching, without nt ble love of truth, teaching not lifted up and inspired by personal character and influence is Philistine. I need not dwell upon this peril of education as two recent utterances, one by tho pres idfnt of our university, and another by cur syA- erintendent of schools have in sisted upon the higher ideal elements needed alike for the college and the common school. Our board of educa- tion are to be commended and support ed because they resented demands for i positions in the public schools for polit- ical and personal reason, and have sought for the best culture and person. al influence, as well as competent | teaching, from at home or abroad for the children of the people, In working out the great problem of democracy on this broad continent we must jealously guard our public schools from political 1 Philstinism.
 There is likewise much Philistinism in the conduct and discussion of our public affairs. It is a cheap political Pbilistinisn in congress which would postpone the honor of the nation to- wards Cuba, and put in jeopardy the peace of the future in the interest of | bcet-sugar and the manufacturers of | playing cards. Fortunately the con- science of the nation is speaking, and the political Philistinism of congress may not dare much longer to misrepre- sent the great, generous heart of the American people. At home also we are too familiar with manifestations of this same unworthy spirit in the dis cusslon of matters concerning the well i fare of the community. 1t is an of fense against the integrity of the peo- pie to offer a bribe or to use money to corrupt legislation Any words or deeds which strike against the credit of the community upon which it's whole prosperity depends, are crimes against the people, and ought not to be tolerat- ed None know better than the man. agers of great corporations that it does not pay in the end to corrupt legisla- ton, as corruption in behalf of one in- terest may easily become again the cor rupt tool of some other interest. If bribery be an offense, we should not forget that it is equally inimical to the credit upon which all business and pros perity rests, to attack without cause or evidence the regulations of honorable citizens, and to spread false and vague charges of bribery throughout the con- munity. Such means of agitation are not attacks upon individuals merely; they are blows struck against the cred it and welfare of the whole community. The Philistines in one of their ancient cities had town council of five hun dren: history has not preserved any record of one of their sessions or of any
  may readily imagine what the tone and temper and vituperations of a public discussion of affairs in one of the cities of Philistia might have been, from some utterance and arinted articles with which we have become too familiar in our own cities. In this denunciation of the manners of the Philistines in the discussion of public affairs would say, as if; former times Dr. Hawes once re- i marked as he leaned ever his high pull l pit in Hartford. T refer to those to whom I do allude.' | The church cannot make front against modern Philistinism if it becomes itself | half Philistinized. That was the trouble with Samson. The church, be- | coming united, must magnify it's pro- phetic office. It must not seek to please | with cheap methods, nor is it's charity enough. It must exalt it's highest ideals. It must teach righteousness, not as an abstraction, but it must teach right relations-it must teach men with powerful persuasion to live in right re- latons to every other man, woman and child. And it must reflect the purest spiritual light down into every day life. This now should commend the church and it's work especially to young men; it's grand opportunity to unite and l. make effective all the higher interests and influences of life against all the modern Philistines.