The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-21
men THE
WORLD
NEEDS
Subject Of Lecture Before tho
R. / Metaphysical Association
by Rev. Merritt A. FaTr.n.

A well attended and most interesting
lecture was given in Frances Willard
hall. IS Snow street. last evening, under
the auspices of the Rhode Island Meta
physical association of which Col. Henry
o. Tart is president.
The lecture was supplemented by
number OF contralto solos delightfully."-
rendered by Miss Ella Cook OF this city.
Col Tart opened the meeting with
brief Introductory tank after which he
introduced Rev. Merritt A. Fa-ren. late
OF Vermont but now Of this city, an
nouncing as his subject. The kind OF
men the world needs, the lecturer spoke
IN part as follows
To the worlds work and 10 assure
its progress requires men of every men
tai and moral virtue. among these may
be named the man OF large courage or
the man who dares.
First, the man who dares 10 think
for himself. He needs 10 know and
reverence the thoughts or others, and
especially the great world thinkers but
more especially does he need TO think
clearly. logically, and honestly for him
self Most men are satisfied that others
should do their thinking for them. this
being easier and less bothersome. The
number OF world thinkers has not been
large. A Socrates. a Plato, a Christ, a
Paul. an Epictetus. a Spinoza a Kant, a
swedenborg a Calvin an Edwards and
an Emerson will not be found in every
sge. They are rare men whose genius
enliRhtens the world. Few though the
Independent thinkers may be. yet the
number Is steadily increasing
The man or Independent thought dares
% think for himself IN matters OF re-
ngion. He refuses 10 be in bondage 10
the thought of the past 10 believe that
Inspiration ceased or that revelation was
completed 1000 or 1900 years ago. To him
the creeds OF the Fourth century or the
Nineteenth are not final
knowledge and truth ever march on
10 something higher and holier Time in
definite reveals himself In fuller measures
70 the men of each succeeding age. Each
generation must amend and enlarge the
creeds of the past I'm the light OF the
larger knowledge and experience of It's
time
The independent thinker dares also 10
mink for himself In political matters He
s not held by past party affiliations or
by any lingo party Of today He thinks
out for himself the right or wrong the
wisdom or foolshness of present day
policies and holds himself 10 conscien-
tious performance OF his duties in the
light Of his own Investigations. No set
OF men. no political party can determine
for him the ballot he Is to cast lie
must be true 10 himself and TO the right
regardless Of the sneers of small men
who cry Traitor" or POOL or both
The world needs today men who dare
TO stand by their friends. Men TO he
loyal TO them I'm the hours Of their ad-
versity-times when they are under n
cloud. times when those who have been
friendly IN the past turn their backs or
70 by on the other side. Then IL the
time to show ones sympathy and real
friendship. When a man Is constrained
through change Of views to leave his
party or church. why throw stones AT
him. Has he not shown true courage
and manliness by his open. frank course?
Should he not he honorcd rather than
condemned?
The world needs further the mer who
dare to do right Men who dare be hon
est and just In all their business politi-
cal and social relations.
The world needs finally men who dare
10 achieve. men to achieve greater things
IN the realms Of thought OF discovery
Of invention Of commerce. OF art of
science. and of literature. God give us
men.