The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-26
What Is Wrong WIth Society 2
TOdeTn Tendencies and Their Outcome.
~ REMJAMIW KIDD.
wright, 1906 BY Central News & Press Ezchangeo

of knowledge, it would not stand ex-
animation. think we are tending to
grow in the opposite opinion. The bet
ter one understands the history of the
world the more clear does the convic-
ton become that 50 near is the essen
t1al meaning Of that system of belief,
and even the essential meaning of its
more chara cteristic doctrines, to the
meaning of human evolution, that the
intellectual hold Of its authority is
likely to increase in time to come. In
the old days belief was a matter of
texts and dogma and tradition. think
it will rest in time on a wider, more
vital, and more reasoned conception
of the whole process of human evolu-
ton and the peculiar problems under
lying 1t. AS to any radical change in
the character of the nation, or of the
people, I do not think there need be
any serious anticipation of such
thing. Ihere is an immense impetus
in history behind the peoples who have
come out of the great struggles of the
past. The impetus viii carry US fur
Their than we have any conception of.
People used to think our society and
our civilization old. It is young-very,
very young indeed.
do not think there is visible an al
teration of character indicating ma
tiona1 decadence.
The tendency of the new knowledge
is to prove all things, even to ways of
many serious-minded people in the
world as ever. They have been in op-
position to the new tendencies; they
are still often holding aloof. In time
they will come down into the arena
and put their strength and earnestness
into the things of the new era, and
will help US to discriminate the good
from the bad.
Still, all things considered, there is
no doubt that with all the material
wealth and comfort of this age it is
possible to lead the simple life.
The simple, strenuous life is the best
practical programme in political and
religious life that know Of. Labor
has had its programme of eight
hours work, eight hours sleep, and
eight hours play. Add to it the claim
for each average, successful, healthy
man and woman to bring into the
world six healthy children, and to rear
them in clearly habits and simple COM
fort and you will have the conditions
of the simple, strenuous life, and a So
cial and political programme far
reaching in it's significance. It would
be a religious programme also going
further and deeper than most. A re-
Hgion may have its saints and philoso-
| piers; it may move the world, and
speak with the tongues of angels; but
| if it cannot, in the end, inspire the
average man and woman with the faith
and cheerful courage necessary to
! bring a family of healthy children into
the world it is a failure.
If I may venture to say so, nearly
all those eminent writer's who have dis
cussed this question of what is wrong
with society have seemed to me to be
/ trying. to. explain away the present de-
generacy of society and the country
! by platitudes as old as, or perhaps even
I older than, the hills.
If history is In the slightest to be be-
| ieved, the highest circles of society
have always been able to produce in
| live-and so, of course, they always
will do. LUXURY OF course it is lux
ury. Look at our sayings, drunk as
a lord fsto live right royalty" etc.