The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-11-02
How the World is Growing Better.

One proof that the world is growing bet
ter Is this Christian Endeavor Society OF;
ours, with its more than 100000 mem.
bers, in all countries under the sun. What
would have been said, even a quarter of q
century ago, if one had prophesied that 30
many young people would band themselves
together for Christ and the church, pledg-
ing themselves to daily player and Bible
reading. and to constant open testimony
for Christ?
Another proof that the world Is emery.
ing from the darkness is the existence os
The Hague Arbitration Tribunal. This great
institution, by far the greatest and most
Christian product of the nineteenth CEN
tury, means much more than that the
leading nations of the world have agreed,
to arbitrate such questions as seals and
boundaries and church funds and claims
for debt. 1t means that~we are coming to
see the ~sinfulness and folly Of war, and
are rapidly approaching the parliament Of
man, "the federation of the world
The progress of missions is q third evl-
dence of human betterment. All corners
of the earth are now besieged blythe hosts
become gentle and devout. The midnight
kraal is aglow with the light of the world.
The stolid Oriental vies, with the heroism
of Wicklif and Bunyan. Lives by the
thousand and money by the million are
poured out eagerly in this new crusade,
whose knights are found in every home
where there is a mite box.
A fourth token of the worlds progress
is the rapidly growing spirit OF union
among the denominations, a spirit which
our Christian Endeavor, fellowship has
done so much to promote. Never before
have so many denominations been seeking
organic union with other denominations.
Never before have Christians been so ear.
nest in the desire that the churches shall
stand together against the aggressive hosts
of evil.
Politics are growing purer; that Is Q fifth
tional and local governments our rulers
are coming more and more to recognize
the golden rule and the Sermon ON the
Mount. We are thinking more Of the
character of candidates and less Of their
ability merely to draw votes. We are 4
amining measures less by the rushlight of
temporary eXpediency and more by the
long searchlight of Gods eternal laws.
In the sixth place the welfare of the
masses is made, more than ever before,
the assidious study of the ~wealthiest, most
powerful, wisest and best Of men. Mill
ions are lavished on popular education, On
free Libraries and art galleries, on public
parks, on improved. tenements, on santa
tion. Cultured men and women. are max
ing their homes in the slums, to purify
them by personal contact. The principles
of temperance have never before been
pushed so urgently, and on the whole, so
successfully. Man is learning how to be
his brothers keeper. .%l.1G.
Many more evidences of progress might
be named. such as the growth of the 7.
M. C. A., the renewed interest in Bible
study and the vigor of the Sunday-schpol.
Everywhere the world is manifestly and
gloriousiy on the up grade. And it is all
due, not to our poor human wisdom and
strength, but solely to the power and love
ing through the lives of His obedient fol-
ENTHUSIASTICALLY Reading.