Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-12
WOMEN'S CLUB
Listened 10 Address Of Rev MIR
Strong Of New York.

An address on 1.-THE Times in
Which We Live" was delivered by
the Rev Josiah Strong, ID. D., presi-
dent of the American Institute of So
cial Services of New York, ut the
meeting Of the Waterbury Womens
club, held yesterday afternoon in the
parlors of the Second Congregational
church. After being introduced by
Mrs Mary +. Chatfield the president
of the club DR. Strong spoke in part as
follows:
'The subject this afternoon is THE
Times in Which We Live Just now
as our great feet Is entering the great
waters Of the world we hear rumors of
strife, between Japan and this country.
Mischief makers are trying to stir up
strife between two friendly nations.
Japan is becoming more and more de-
pendent upon its friendly relations
with the rest Of the world. Why
should she be at strife with her best
customer?
''The worlds future will be better
than its past. would rather be myself
because am living in great transit
tional period. On the past have turn
ed the hinges of civilization.
"Fitness is the fundamental means
to accomplishment. For example
thrust key into a lock that will not
fit two chambers. No matter how
much strength is used, no matter how
much time is spent, the bolt resists.
Try the right key and the door flies
open. 1t is question of fitness, not
Of strength or time spent, nor of quail
ity. All along the way of life are
doors bolted which await only the key
of fitness.
LET us interchange some of the
great men Of history. Place Martin
Luther on the saddle Of Ulysses Grant;
install Julius Caesar in the pulpit of
Martin Luther; to Charles Darwin pre-
sent the chlsel Of Michael Angelo in
troduce Abraham Lincoln into the
studio of Raphael; inaugurate Moses
into the presidency of Harvard col
lege instead of Charles W. Eliot, and
President Roosevelt-let me see, what
can't he do?-give him the pen of Mil
ton and bid him write Paradise Lost
Every one Of these would be II fat
failure, not because of lack of ability
or lack of genius. but for lack of fit
ness. You cannot fit round peg into
a square hole, or vice versa
Service is the law of organized life.
1t is more emphatically the law of the
future than it has ever been the law
of the past. Service is the funda-
mental law of the new civilization. A
generation ago our aim was to pro-
duce character. Character is the most
valuable thing in the universe. But he
who seeks only his own character, be-
comes self conscious. He who seeks
happiness alone, fails to find it. Men
become more beautiful in character
and more happy by service. While
serving humanity, we grow beautiful
In the eyes Of God. the angels and
man. Let us intelligently fit ourselves
for service.
IF husband and wife would have
the spirit Of mutual service the divorce
problem would he solved. The world
is coming TO live in one great organ
lied life. Until men have accepted the
law of service there never can be
peace. Each for all and all for each.
IF we are to serve, two things are
necessary: First the spirit of service;
secondly, we must know how to serve.
Service Is Of four stages. First, the
unconscious stage. Natures service is
unconscious. The second stage is I'm
willing service and the third is COM
merciallsm, the stage at which we are
at present. The fourth stage is SER
vice inspired by love. Love dlgnifies
and enlarges life and makes II bright"
Preceding the address a business
meeting was held.