The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-13


gins Matthew 25:1-1S. The Cold
en- Text is. Watch, therefore, for
We know neither the day nor the
hour wherein the Son of man COM
eth" Matthew 25-13.
BIZ WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
HE latest big book on Japan
is called "A Study in Ma
Iional Efficiency" and the IN
PRODUCTION is q ringing exhOrta-
tiOn by q foremost British
statesman to his own nation to
learn the hours lessons Of Watchful-
ness and readiness The prophets
apOn All walls are today crying the one
The recent appalling disclosures in
connection with the meat acking
scandal In connection with the inves-
legation OF certain celebrated railroad
companies and other corporations, and
in connection with the life insurance
companies, are charged with the same
message OF need for vigilance which
desus expressed by the parable of the
wise and foolish virgins. Two thousand
years ago.
In the light of the life of today it
would be folly to treat this great story
from the standpoint of Eastern we'd
ding professions, the particular shape
OF the lamps used, ana the customs
which illuminate the details Of the
great parable. Even as q parable it
s. not to be pressed too far IN all minor
ries for time like ours. too greatly
concerned in the present moment to
care about the possible future is one
Of supreme Importance and one which
must be learned by nations as we'll
as by individuals.
The Days Big Business.
The largest work to which any per-
son lays his hand is that OF prepara-
ton. Japan's great days. to continue
an illustration already employed, were
not those when the soldiers came
marching home from Manchuria in
triumph but the long, hard. ureless
stretch Of years preceding the war,
when unheraIded to the world the
task Of getting ready for a clearly fore
seen eventuatity. This is a greater
proof OF the stun Of which Japan is
made than any victory OF fleet or army.
Most persons face life unprepared.
The reason why more of US are not
strong and serene masters of our lot
IS simply that we have neglected the
business of getting ready to live. Into
this most serioussof all enterprises men
and women by the myriad merely DRIFT
she number, who are seriously con-
cerned over the business of livelihood,
and who bother their heads at all about
the great questions Of how and why
and whittier, is comparatively small
Youth is often wiser than maturity in
this respect. 1t is more concerned
that it's lamps be hlled with the oil of
lEI1sgleage and preparation. me nap
rc-lllc1Ev TEN Deran1ent of the new
sshich is c8aaerfully1 needless of
she morrow, has its virtues; but a lit
IKE more Of the spirit Of vigilance
would save the nation many a disgrace,
Prudent foretheught would forestall
hitter regrets.
Quite Illustrative is an incident that
happened to a party, Of Americans in
Japan recently They had assembled a
nigh volcano, intending to come down
MA IA "a Ia n oil
thought to lanterns; when darkness
drew on they found fault with their
servants for not having provided lights.
Then. with western alertness and en-
erey they hastened down the mountain,
past the most dangerous points. ere
night fell. After hours of difficult
travel, and many falls, they gained
safety. congratulating themselves
upon their escape. HOd they properly
equipped themselves at the outset
there would have been no difficulty.
and no occasion for rejoicing over their
american luck Preparation pre-
vents pain.
The Perplexing Factor.
Society IS and always has been, con-
cerned over the problem of the unfit.
It is they who make necessary most of
the machinery Of law. For them the
army Of sociOlogtsts and relief work
ers toll day and night. Like the fool
ish virgins, who prepared no oil for
their lanterns, they are a trouble to
the wise and strong as Well as to them
selves
Everybody knows the foolish virgins
They are ready for nothing except ex-
cuse-nakinE- They are HES depend
ents, who are made dependents only by
their own lack of purpose and prepara-
ton. Toward the afflicted and natural
IS inefficient We extend naught but
pity and a helping hand; they are the
victims Of an inscrutable providence
ard minister to human tender-heart-
adness. They are needed to call forth
the gentle and loving side of humanity.
But the indolent. the careless, the fetch
less as the Scotch call them. are de-
serving of the punishment that they
bring upon themselves. They need not
coddiing and naudling pity, If ever
they are to be really helped. but the
stern pointings of duty armed with the
rod of recompense-
SeIfshness or Seryfceableness?
There are those who say that the