The sun., 1903-11-29
DIR. Dlx's Gloomy Outlook.


ish, is conspicuous for his learning, his
conservatism and his strict regard for
the proprieties of his office. He never
courts applause and never seeks to pro-
woke public attention apart from the
purely religious sphere; yet DR.. DIX. in
a series of T,enten sermons some years
ago and again in his Thanksgiving SER
mon at Trinity on Thursday dealt with
social tendencies. as he observes them,
in way which in a less conservative
cleric might have seemed sensational.
His method of treatment was heroic,
even savage in some Of its features for,
to his mind, the social ulcers are large,
deep seated and Of terrible portent.
II is not extraordinary that the outlook
of the venerable rector of Trinity on con-
temporary society is respondent. At all
times the pulpit has been full Of forebod-
ings concerning social tendencies, and
reasonably, for evil influences in society
have always justified pious lamentation.
Along with much to be thankful for in
the progress Of mankind there is always
much to provoke impatience in the
preacher because of the slow forward
movement and the incidental setbacks
which accompany it. The clerical phil
osopher sees poverty and evil, war, sell
fish struggle and misery due to an evo-
luton from savagery still in its initial
stages only. The millennium seems to
recede further and further into the i'm
penetrable distance of the future.
Glass alienation "the insolence of
wealth" and "riotous living" were in
weighed against by the Trinity rector;
yet in the early days Of New York they
were relatively more reprehensible than
they are now and their amendment was
seemingly far more hopeless. Wealth
has increased greatly in this country,
more especially during the last genera
ton, with the consequence Of more
luxurious living, but coincidently the
progress of the vast mass of the people
in comfort has more than kept pace with
it. Never was there feast celebrated in
any great community which found so
large part Of the people in condition
to participate in its festivities as was this
New York Thanksgiving. They are in
homes, even the humblest, where they
enjoy comforts denied even to the richest
a generation ago. The distinction be-
tween rich and poor is more In super
fatalities than in essence, for happiness
is q democratic blessing not limited by
the mere accident Of greater or less ma
terial possessions. The happiest people
in New York on Thursday were not the
luxurious rich.
"The misuse Of money and it's reckless
squandering on pleasure and PRIDE?
Yes; but this squandering is not con-
fined to any special social sphere. 1t
runs through all society. No. end of
money which might have been put in the
custodianship of savings banks was spent
for merely heeting pleasure and for
the pride Of display, on Thanksgiving.
People wore finer clothes than their
necessity required and ate richer dinners,
and drank beer or wine when water alone
would have been sufficient to satisfy a
healthy thirst. A company Of paraders
passed this Office in gayly decorated open
carriages. They were strong men able
to walk and save the livery hire. Women
wore kid gloves, beribboned gowns and
feathers in their bonnets, though they
could have protected themselves against
the weather in far cheaper raiment, The
theatres were crowded: was it 4reck-
less squandering Except for popular
pleasure and pride" where would be
civilization with it's diversified indus
tries?
Education without religion? Is it
demonstrable that moral conditions
we're practically better when there was
no education without religion?
Here are some questions asked by DR.,
DIX after making a recapitulation Of
contemporary evils as he discerns
them:
What can be done to stop extravaganza and
display and show What can be done 10 make very
nch people economical and modest In dress and
conduct, and saving. In order to give abundantly
where gifts would help the community, What can
be done to stop fools from running after each new
light and taking UP each new gospcl' What can
be done to stop married people from putting away
each other as soon as they get tired of each other
and adding to the sin Of unfathfulness the fresh
sin Of rushing the Of the partners Of their
guilt, What can stop the woman takers. the
woman preachers, the woman agitators, the clam
orers for women's rIghts'"
Nothing, DIR. DIX, can be done to stop
these inevitable manifestations OF human
nature. Sumptuary laws proved in a
past period as inefficacious as they were
tyrannical. Introduce reign Of econ
omy and there will be lamentable set
back in human progress. Gifts to help
the community? The true public bene-
factors are men of science patiently
working to discover and utilize the Sc
crets of nature, great inventors and the
founders and organizers of new indus
tries. and never before more than now
did these give abundantly when gifts
would help the community"
How can people be stopped from run