The Penn's Grove record., 1911-07-28
D
I Equality of
Man
By Rev. S. M. Dick
Pastor Wesley N. E. Church, Minneapolis

IEAl-Ine1e Is neltneT Jew uOT dEcShs
there is neither bond nor free, there Is
neither male nor female; for We are all
one in Christ Jesus.-Gal. L:28.
twenty-five years ago the Epwortn
League of the Methodist Episcopal
church was organized. We celebrate
its twenty-first anniversary. Its
growth has beer marvellous, its work
significant. 1t is not my purpose to
review its history, but to call your at
tention to its opportunity for service.
Service is the keynote in the sym
phony of this century's activities.
Four distinct phases of ethical devel-
opment mark the four quarters OF the
last century. These four ethical prtn-
ciples are a foundation for the super
structure of the service to be rendered
to humanity In the name OF Jesus
Christ during this century.
In the first quarter Of the last cen
fury the fundamental principles were
laid for the breaking down of race
prejudices. Nearly all Europe was IN
war. One hundred and seventy mil
lion people were involved. 100000
men were drawn from the activities
of economic production and were ex-
pending their energies in wasting each
others states, burning their cities, rob
bling their fields, destroying their
homes and taking their lives. No ex-
cuse other than an other nationality
and plumber was necessary to go to
war.
But in the midst Of this mighty
conflict of destruction other forces
we're at work. Great ideas were Ia
king form in the minds Of men who
loved peace rather than war. The
idea of the steamboat, the railroad.
the telegraph was budding and bios
soming to bring forth a little later its
harvest of better feeling between ma
lions, larger conceptions Of fraternity
and a keener sense Of brotherhood
and Justice. 1t was the initiation OF
that great movement which is now re-
sulting in that worldwide feeling,
there is neither Jew nor Creek but
a mans a man for a that.
The second quarter of a century
was marked by abolition of slavery.
The agitation in the British parliament
succeeded in emancipating all British
slaves in 1884. Hungary had 5000, 00O
slaves. Nearly all the peasants OF
Austria and Prussia were slaves. II
was in this quarter of the century that
the principles that were to bring free
dom to the multitudes were agitated
and the people began to see a great
light. The same was true OF the Unit
ed States. While the emancipation
of the slave did not come until the
next quarter of the century, the ieVen
of emancipation was working with the
sure result which followed in the six
ties. Henceforth there was to be
neither bond nor free.
The third quarter Of the century
revealed that, officially speaking
there was neither male nor female
After the beginning of the century
women were excluded from schools
by law. No woman was allowed to
teach in public schools; and for a
woman to think of being a CLERK ID
a store or serving the public In any
Industrial way outside of the home
was an almost u~nheard-of thing. Bui
from 1850 to 1875 was the period oil
their emancipation. Public schools
were opened to them not only TO at
tend but they became dominant rae
tors in the teaching force. colleges
for co-education were established II
large numbers and women showed
themselves the equals of heir broth
ers in educational attainments. be
fore the close of the century 20 PEE
cent. of the teachers in the puDll'
schools of the country were women
Practically all of business
were open to them and all professions
welcomed them. Verify there wal
neither male nor female.
The last quarter of a century w
hogan to realize, 'Ye are all one II
Christ Jesus" 1t was the quarter u
brotherhood. Trade, travel. educa
zion n religion began to bring mel
to see things from the same angie
We began to know each other, W.
learned we were brethren. We hat
ono common interest. We served Il
ono common end. Christianity makes
no distinction between races. It's
aim and purpose is to lift humanity
UP to better things.
These great movement nave pc
oneathed to the young life OF Till
century a rich heritage. In all depart
ments of life we are asking the cues
tion: rs the product worth wnlie!
We ask of the public school, is tn
4 worth while? Does 1t pay tn
cost of its production? or the col
leee and university we are asking TN
same question. The same Is beint
asked of the saloon and of the grea
Industrial organizations; the same o
the church of Jesus Christ. The sam
Of the Sunday school and of the Ep
worth League and of every SC
ciety of young people organized 10
Christian work.
This is the opportunity OF TN
ages Are we meeting 1t? MANHOOD
womanhood, integrity in business
honesty in trade, sincerity in service
sacrifice in relation to others. tnes'
are things the age Is calling for WI
we measure up to our part In the us
of our inheritance which the last cen
trrv has handed down to us ant
which this century demands we u.s.
to the glory of God and to b edifea