The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-15
a SATURDAY SERMON.
THE BETTER THINGS.
Think on these things-Philippians 4:

THE BETTER THINGS
Think on these things.-Philippians AS.
The campaign that is being made in
Topeka which shall result in a large
addition to the endowment of WASH
burn college. emphasizes the general
proposition that Kansas, and the west
in general, has reached a point where
considerable attention should be paid
to the higher and better things of life
than mere wealth-getting. 1t is i'm
portant, to be sure, that we should. as
people, continue to increase in
wealth and prosperity, but it should
not be for the sake of the wealth
itself so much as for what the wealth
will bring to its various communities,
the state and the nation, in wider
privileges, more enjoyments, and a
higher civilization generally.
In his recent address at the Michi-
gan Agricultural college, President
Roosevelt pointed out that the coming
problem of the farms is to make farm
life more attractive. Increased pro-
duction of the land is to have due at
tention, but the other is the real prob
lem. To this end the farming popula-
ton needs to have good roads, mod
ern homes, more opportunities for
recreation and better social advant-
ages. And the farmer is getting to the
point where he can command these
things.
On the same principle and in a
broader sense the west-and Kansas
in particular-has reached the point
where it is able to build a higher and
better civilization than ever before.
ha T.,
the last decade. 1t has paid off it's
debts, improved it's property and ac-
cumulated a tremendous bank ac-
count. 1t will go on, of course, get
ting rich. but it should not be for the
mere purpose of piling up money. In
stead this wealth should be invested in
those things that make for a higher
vilization-schools, colleges, hos
pitfalls, architecture, churches, Libraries
things that add to the intellect, to
social welfare, to helpfulness, to the
best development of men and women.
A people that uses its wealth to this
end is bound to grow in every way.
The city that devotes it's riches solely
to charging it's commerce for selfish
ends-merely to pile up sordid wealth
cannot in the nature of things be as
dNlIdCllNO not dlldln SuCn a nlRn de-
gree of civilization as one that gives a
portion of its money to enhance civic
beauty, improve sanitary conditions
give the best that is to be had educa-
eionally and build up the esthetic side
of its people.
Topeka is especially attractive along
these lines and it is this that brings
well-to-do people here to make their
homes. And it is now up to Topeka to
enhance it's attractiveness by doing it's
part in building UP Washburn. That
is the immediate task now at hand
1t is an encouraging sign to note
that many Kansans who have pros
pered in material things are thinking
of development along other lines than
mere wealth. Every college in Kan
sas should receive the loyal support of
the well-to-do people in it's territory
and among it's natural clientele. The
increased number and the prosperity
of the chautauqua assemblies over the
state is a good sign. The use of a
liberal amount of the surplus wealth
each year for those things that uplift
people morally and Intellectually and
that add to the pleasures of life will
yield big returns in a better civiliza-