The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-27
(Ry wTLLIAM r. ELLIS. }


Men are learning to think in world
terms. The simple fact that the num-
Der of organizations bearing the
words international" WORLDS ana
UNIVERSAL is rapidly increasing is IS
significant of a momentous trend of
the times. That people are enter
tanning the thought of the whole
earth is a sign of progress. Sueh an
event as the round-the-world observ-
ance of Worlds Temperance sun
day. is in itself a token of the In.
creasing solidarity of the race. and Oh
the brotherhood of mankind.
A century or two ago men thought
of the big world only in terms OF con-
quest. The outlying regions were re-
garded merely as fields for explo1ta-
ton. The old world considered this
new world principally as place
where gain could be got. Selfish COM
merciaism was the uppermost CON
sideration. There is enough OF THIS
spirit left yet there is also grow
ing sense of the spiritual unity of the
human race. The West is interested
in the East-as witness the Laymen'
Missionary Movement campaign now
under way-from motives OF frater,
nal solicitude. The tremendous social
and economic problems that are aris-
ing amid the older peoples are being
solicitously observed and discussed py
thoughtful men and women every.
where Above the ancient note of
conquest SOUNDS Lu6 1A0W AiONO -
neighborliness. The good of the
whole is the good of the world.
Labor Unions and the 'sDry" Wave.
This era of universal altruism. or
otherism, Is marked by certain signs
especially pertinent to the days sun
that the twenty-five million members
of the Sunday schools have devoted
themselves to the study and promo
ton of temperance: that the church
Protestant and Catholic. takes. as
whole, the same ground. The young
peoples societies, the brotherhoodS,
the Young Mems Christian associa-
lions and the women's societies. are
aggressively enlisted for temperance.
That unique alliance of the churches
known as the Anti-Saloon League has
been perhaps the most potent single
agency for the promotion of the great
cause of otherism. which is synonym
GUS with temperance.
The most recent notable addition to
the altruistic agencies of the day is
the formal organization of the leaders
of labor unionism in temperance fell
lowship This has been perfected
during the present month at the In
ternational convention Of the Fedora
of bitter opposition from the vested
interests of the saloon, the foremost
leaders of the workingmen have
Joined hands with representative of
the Christian churches. to drive
wedge that shall completely separate
the saloon from unfonism. At present
many labor unions hold their meetings
in connection with retail liquor estab-
lishments. That bad custom Is on Its
way to limbo. The American and
Canadian workingmen are Joining
with their British brethren in a great
temperance Fellowship.
Cleaning Up Society.
Z Through all this there runs the note
sounded by Paul in the lesson pas
sage-self- denial for the sake of 9TH
ers. The scientists have helped bring
society to this new state of mind.
They have hit hard the notion of
dangerous individualism by isolating
contagious diseases, and by cleaning
convenience to the individuals. "Per-
sonal liberty is a plea given scant
attention when the board of health
officer comes around with his quaran
tine notices. The welfare Of the
whole supersedes the privileges of the
individual. Science says that. willy
nilly," men must be altruistic in GER
tain matters.
OF late a cry has been raised which
has stirred men to the depths con-
corning the merchandising in human
beings. It seems to be proved that
traffic, and that the Infamous bust
ness has political ramif1cations. The
same wave of altruism which has
driven out the liquor saloon from
wide areas will ultimately stop this
business. Before that end is attained,
Christian men and women will have
to arouse themselves to relentless ac-
tivity. If the ideals of Jesus are ever
to prevail, his disciples will have to
contend for them vigorously. It is a
shame that selfish lawlessness should
be more shrewd and diligent than
unselfsh humanitarianism and Chris
tianity.
The Positive Side
No platform of negations ever per-