Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-07-20
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.



Topic.-How to break down the spirit OF
easte.--Jas. il. 10; Natt xiii S-l2.
If we were asked the question,
-where does the caste system prevail
to the greatest extent and to the great
est detrfment to human Hfe?n we
would respond, In India" The an
swer would be correct. The system OF
caste or of the separation Of the peo-
pie into classes with impossible CULTS
between them has been the curse Ut
India for centuries. Here the system
of caste has reached its highest devel-
opment, to the greatest detrimeut Of
the people, socially, politically and in
dustrially. Next to India the caste
system has been more thoroughly de-
veloped in countries where despotic
and monarchical forms OF government
have existed and do still exist. But
let us thank God that the system Of
caste is being gradually undermined.
In England, Germany and France the
aristocratic classes are being leveled
down, while the common people are
being leveled up, with the result that
class distinctions are less and less
marked and influential. And even In
India there are not wanting signs that
the system Of caste is being strongly
affected by English rule and the gospel
OF Christ. God speed the day when it
shall fall ike house built OF sand
under the storm of Gods wrath.
In America we would expect to see
no class system. bit, alas, even here.
we have the spirit Of caste. if not
developed caste system, How often
we hear the expression the classes
and the masses" the capitalists and
the laborers." as II they Were separate
and distinct classes Of people. But
the saving grace Of this fact in our
land is the constant exchange OF places.
One day man may belong to the
masses and the next day to the classes
and vice versa-one day he may he
laborer, the next a capitalist and vice
versa. The spirit of industrial caste
will not be very ruinous as long as
such changes are possible. But we
also have a social caste spirit Our
set" is a common phrase
: But probably the worst form of the
SGSAG NHAk4A III 0tst tEllAA - Aklt 1AldR&Akslt
one. The rich man Is looked upon as
0eInigod, while the poor man is shown
into q back seat, even In our churches.
James cries out against it, and SO
should we. What is more disgusting
than to see i man who is ignorant.
coarse and sometimes even vulgar
welding undue influence in church,
To ssv4 E,. h7t.4
sacrificed everything in life TO lay UP
money or because by some hook or
crook he has suddenly grown rloh?
Not that a man, simply because be has
money. should have no place in the af-
fairs of life but only his just place
Why should money ride over character,
brains, ability and great achievements
In the pursuits of life where money is
not a reward for service? 1t should
not, but 1t has grown in doing SO until
today ii would be dangerous and
threatening element in our national life
were il not for two other factors that
need to he CONSIDERABLY God and W
tie middle classes. AS long as the
Lord is our God and we continue to
have a strong, healthy middle class We
need fear no evil, though Mammon be-
the ruling god of SO many who cringe
and cover before the golden calf even
In greater humiliation than did the an
Gent Israelites
How may this spirit of caste In our
hand be broken down? Two methods
are suggested. a. The people should
ut unduly exalt men who occupy inn
portant positions or those who are rich
The church, the state and society
should treat every man as a man. re-
gardless of whether he Is rich or poor
or In high or low position. God is no
respecter OF persons. Why should we
be? (2) Those who for the time occupy
high place or possess great wealth
should remember that "one is their
master, even Christ" and that with
God as their common Father all men
are brethren. The fatherhood of God
and the brotherhood of man should
make 1t impossible for any man TO
take advantage OF his position in life
to impose upon his fellow men. TO de-
grade and hunil!ate them to suit his
whims and purposes. The man who
does so will find that God will take
part In the game before it is finished.
BIBLE READINGS.
Lev. xix, 10; Deut- i. IT; xvi. 10;
Prov. xiv. %; Matt vi, p; Luke Nv.
11-22; xvi 1881; John xiii, 10. 10; xvii
20, 81.
Four Ideals.
Thay,o oro fOur fdaa 10 xrhI.b 7 t-ua,x,