The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-27
CBY WILLIAM t. ELLIS.)

(B1 WILLIAM L. El4l@1S-y
Sometimes one marvels that the
politicians. even the cheap, coarse
crude kind that one would scarcely in
vite to his home. are so successful In
deceiving the people. On the other
hand, when one beholds how readily
the people may be fooled-and how
they seem to love it-and how easily
they are satisfied. the marvel becomes
that this strange thing called human
nature has persisted throughout the
centuries. Had it not been for an in
dulgent and protecting Providence,
surely the race would have died of its
own folly.
Substitution" is an evil to be found
not alone in the drug business and in
the grocery business; it exists in poll
ties, literature, religion and wherever
else genuineneSS is expensive. Inc
fashion did not begin when the Chill
dren of Israel substituted a golden calf
for the Lord Almighty, nor did IL end
there. Only a few weeks ago there
gathered at a business establishment
which finds q diluted and adulterated
type of religion a profitable side line,
company of men and women who
thought to prove themselves ad-
vanced" thinkers by giving assent TO
the idiosyncrasies of their leader: the
latter being, by court records, a proved
charlatan and adulterer. Naturally he,
d
wider moral latitude than the law al
lows. wants some easier, more accom-
modaung god than He who Numbered
his laws in the mount. They are try
ing to devise a cheap and convenient
substitute for Jehovah. even as did
Aaron. at the behest of the foolish
ex-slaves whose Impotence could not
abide tho forty days absence of their
leader. upon their service.
Little Children Larger Grown.
toll CT af
to little children knows their impa-
thence. which can not wait for the nat
ural development of the end of the
story. but interrupts constantly with
younger the child the greater the i'm
patience. Now that was about the in
tellectual condition of the Children of
Israel; they were children indeed.
could not wait; waiting is mans art,
a sign of maturity and strength. The
essential immaturity of this people
whom Moses led is a characteristic of
the story that stands out boldly. Had
they been more fully developed, they
would have had more sense.
But stay: before we throw stones
clear over into the Sinai wilderness let
us consider whether 1t is not true that
the new people of this western world
are also afflicted with the same rest
lessaess and Impotence. We do not
know how to wait. Immediateness is
jungle. we must be ever in motion,
never able like the stronger jungle |
folk. to- win our prize by patience.
What we want we want right away; If
It is not at hand. we are willing to ac-
cept any substitute.
Coils p. Huntington, that curious
admixture of cunning, cruelty, sell |
fshness and real greatness, showed
the last-named quality when he said |
something to this effect: 81 get what |
want because I can bide my time |
There is only one thing in the world |
that can beat me at waiting, and that |
is the Roman Catholic church" The |
strong man always has a store of pa
thence and pre-vision;- he knows that |
whatever is worth working for is also !
worth waiting for. Had they not been |
childish. the children of Israel |