The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-05


 that the two English speaking nations are thus arrayed on the side Of peace, venture to suggest that the world peace would be greatly promoted by an asree- ment among the leading nations that ho declaration of war should be made uhul
 e submission of the question in cohtro- versy to an impartial court for investiga- ton, each nation reserving the Ilsllt to accept or reject the decision, The pre- liminary investigation would In almost every instance insure an amicable settie- ment and the reserved rights would pc sufficient protection against any pos sible injustice
 Dignity of Labor.
 Let me go a step farther ana appear for clearer recognition of the dignity or labor. The odlum which rests upon the work of the hand has exerted paneiui influence the world around. The theory that idleness is more honorable than toll that it is more respectable to consume what others have produced than to be producer of wealth-has not only robbed society of an enormous sum, put IL mas created an almost impossible gulf be- tween the leisure classes and those who support them. Tolstoy is right in assert ing that most of the perplexing problems of society grow out of the lack of sym pathy between man and man. Because some imagine themselves above work while others see before them nothing but life of drudgery there is constant war ring and much of bitterness. When men and women become ashamed of doing nothing and strive to give to society full compensation for all they receive from society there will be harmony be- tween the classes
 While Europe and America have ad- vanced far beyond the Orient in placing proper estimate upon those who work even our nations have not yet fully 1 learned the lesson that employment at some useful avocation is essential to the l physical health, intellectual development l and moral growth. If America and Eng l land are to meet the requirements of their high positions, they must be prepared to | present in the lives of their citizens ex- amples. increasing In number, of men and women who find delight in contributing l to the welfare of their fellows, and this ought not to be difficult, for every de- partment of human activity has fascin- ation of its own. The agricultural col leges and industrial schools which have sprung up in so many localities are evil denee that a higher ideal Is spreading among the people.
 | Important Need of Orient.
 And now we come to the most impor- tant need of the Orient-a conception of life which recognizes individual responsi- bility to God, teaches the brotherhood Of man and measures greatness by the ser vice rendered The first establishes ra- i tional relation between the creature ana l his Creator the second lays the founda- l ton for justice between man and his fel- 1 lows, and the third furnishes an ambition l large enough to fill each life with noble effort No service which we can render to the less favored nations can compare l in value to this service, for If we can put bring their people to accept such an ldeai l they will rival the Oecident in their con tribution to civilization. If this ideal, winch must be accepted as the true one If our l religion is true, had been more perfect 1 ly illustrated in the lives of Christians and in the conduct of Christian nations, there would now be less of the white man l burden.
 "If 1t is legitimate to seek another's profit and to work another's gain.' how can this service best be renderedf This i has been the disputed point. Individuals and nations have differed less about the purpose to be accomplished than about the methods to be employed. Prosecutions i have been carried on avowedly Tor the benefit of the persecuted, wars have been waged for the alleged improvement Of those attacked and still more frequently philanthropy has been adulterated with selfish interest. If the superior nations have ai mission 1t Is not to wound but ! to heaitnot to cast down but to lift up and the means must be example-a Tar more powerful and enduring means than i violence. Example may be likened to the sun, whose genial rays constantly coax the buried seed into life and clothe the l earth first with verdure and afterward with ripened grain, while violence IS the occasional tempest which can ruin but cannot give life.
 Great Increase In Education.
 "Can we doubt the efficacy of example in the light of history? There has been great increase In education during the last century and the school houses have not been opened by the bayonet, they owe their existence largely to the moral in- nuence which neighboring nations exert upon each other. And the spread of popu- lar government during the same period how rapidl Constitution after constitu- ton has been adopted and limitation after limitation has been placed upon arbitrary power until Russia. yielding to public l opinion, establishes legislative body and 1 China sends commissions abroad with a view to inviting the people to share the responsibilities of government.
 l .eNhile in America and in Europe there Is much to be corrected and abundant room for improvement. there has never been so much altruism In the world as thera is .oday-never so many who ac- ,xnoNledpe the indissolube tie that binds l each to every other member of the race. have felt more pride in my own coun- l trymen than ever before, as | have | visited the circuit of schools, hospitals l and churches which American money has l buiIt around the world. The example of the Christian nations, though but feebly reflecting the light of the Master, is grad ually reforming society.
 Nations Have Changed Tactics.
 Society has passed through a period of aggrandisement, the nations taking what they had the strength to take and holding what they had the power to hold. But we are already entering second era. an era in which the nations discuss not merely what they can do, but what they should do, considering justice to be more important than physical prowess. In tribunals like that of The Hague, the chosen representatives of the nations weigh questions of right and wrong and give a small nation equal hearing with a l great, and a decree according to con- science. This marks an immeasurabe l advance. But there Is another step yet to be taken. Justice, after all, is cold, and is but a negative virtue. The world needs something warmer, more generous Harm lessness Is better than harmfulness. But positive helpfulness is vastly superior to | harmlessness and we still have before us a larger, higher destiny of service, Even now there are Signs of the ap- proach of this era, not so much in the actions of governments as In the growing | tendency of men and women in many lands to contribute their means, in some cases their lives, to the intellectual, moral awakening of those who sit in darkness.