The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-12-03
gbort 9ernons
For
5unnap Dalf-Dnur
Theme:
MATERNAL. AND
MORAL ADVANCE.

MATERNAL. AND
MORAL ADVANCE.
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BY Rev. Charles z. Perkins.
4. + +
Text: "And went backward, and
not forward. rd."-JeremIah Vll:24.
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The early settlers Of our country
made their voyage to- this land slowly
enough it seems to US, who have short
ened the distance from months to
days. The frontiersman took days to
make journeys that are accomplished
In hours at the present time. Such is
the advance in the means of travel.
The log cabin and adobe huts are
supplanted by commodious homes
and palatial residences. Luxurious
furnishings add to the comfort and
pleasure OF our people. Delicious vi.
ands from the worlds end are spread
upon our board, according to the
wealth and taste Of the people. Ad.
vance Is the watchword Of our man
ner Of living.
Modern discoveries have harnessed
the lightning so that, whether on land
or sea, We may be In continuous COM
munication with our friends, either
for pleasure or for profit Future
generations may not only read the
great speeches of our orators, but the
actual reproduction of them upon the
nh uyi1I hnnApnn
source Of amusement and revenue to
them who are minded to keep the re-
cords as relics in days to come. Nor
do we rest content Improvement is
the demand of the age. What shall be
next? Who can say?
Methuselah, with his reputed $50
years, were babe indeed as com.
pared with young man Of to-day.
The latter has seen more wonderful
achievements and travelled more, and
accomplished more in the material
welfare of his time.
A wise man cannot afford to depre-
ciate the blessings that have resulted
from this advance. But he also asks
himself. "Is this the whole of life?"
Then he wonders II the moral ad-
vancement has kept pace with the
material. Does the warning Of the
old prophet come to us with any signi-
ficance to-day? Is there an increased
appreciation of eternal principles?
Perhaps the investigation is not so
rich in direct evidence. The intangi-
bility must be recognized. But we
believe we can speak words Of hope
and faith to our generation.
Principles of righteousness are
operating to-day. This is evidenced
in the exposure of certain corruptive
principles which obtained in political
and commercial affairs not long since.
Men became alarmed when these
were made public. No doubt they felt
like jeremiah, that the people have
gone backward and not forward. But
men of faith and hope took courage.
They believe that publicity is good
thing. Indeed, they welcome 1t. Their
vision is beyond mere temporalities.
They rejoice at the onslaught upon
the spirit of corruption and selfish.
ness. These Investigations give value
to the etymology of an old English
| worn. oU lndL Wucu an lhJClll6OAt
man asks to-day what is a man
worth?" he expects the answer, not
to be in dollars and cents. but is de-
sirous of knowing the character OF
the man. We use this word in its
highest sense when we speak Of how
much a man is worth to a given cause
'If a man gain the whole world and
lose his own soul" in narrow, hard
hearted, commercial competition
what has he gained?
Another positive advance to-day is
found in our appreciation Of peace
after warfare. No parades Of victors
bearing the scalps and spoils, or cap
tives taken, would be tolerated. In
stead, great commemoration Is made
annually of peace proclamations
Monuments are erected to establish
their permanence and importance. The
Red Cross societies minister to friend
and foe alike.
Better still is the effort made By
peace commissions to make warfare
as remote as possible. AS a natior
we are approaching nearer to tha
ideal of the Master: Love your enc
miles,"
Many other instances we might cit'
in a general way. such as our institu
tions of learning for all people, homeI
for the orphan, the aged and infirm
A keener sense of civic Righteousness
ib being aroused. Men Of faith an,
J hope are not resting in lethargic op
J timism. crying Let we'll enough
} alone" They believe, as there ha
been a remarkable advance In ma
J terial progress, so there has beel
growth in eternal principles amonl