River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-07-27
Equality
Man
By Rev. S. M. Dick
Pastor Wesley NJ. E. Church, Minneapolis

one in Christ Jesus.-GaL 11:2S.
Twenty-Five years ago the Epworth
League of the Methodist Episcopal
church was organized. We celebrate
Its twenty-first anniversary. Its
growth has been marvellous, it's work
significant. 1t is not my purpose to
review its history, but to call your at
tention to it's 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 prin'
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
tury 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
were at work. Great ideas were ta-
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 little later its
harvest of better feeling between ma
tons, 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 100000
slaves. Nearly all the peasants OF
Austria and Prussia were slaves. 1t
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 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 leven
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, ethically 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
woman to think of being a clerk In
a store or serving the public in any
industrial way outside of the home
was an almost unheard-of thing. But
from 1850 to 1876 was the period OF
their emancipation. Public schools
were opened to them not only to at
tend but they became dominant fac
tors in the teaching force. Colleges
for co-education were established IN
large numbers and women showed
themselves the equals of their broth
ers in educational attainments. Be-
fore the close of the century 80 per
cent. of the teachers in the public
schools of the country were women.
| Practically all avenues OF business
were open to them and all professions
welcomed them. Verify there was
neither male nor female.
The last quarter of a century we
began to realize, 'Ye are all one In
Christ Jesus" 1t was the quarter OF
brotherhood. Trade, travel, educa'
ton and religion began to bring men
to see things from the same angle.
We began to know each other, we
learned we were brethren. We had
one common interest. We served TO
one common end. Christianity makes
no distinction between races. It's
aim and purpose is to lift humanity
up to better things.
These great movements nave pe'
uueathed to the young life OF this
century a rich heritage. In all depart
ments of life we are asking the ques'
ton: as the product worth whileT'
We ask of the public school, is the
product worth while? Does it pay the
cost of its production? OF the col
lege and university we are asking the
same question. The same is being
asked of the saloon and of the great
industrial organizations; the same oil
the church of Jesus Christ. The same
of the Sunday school and OF the Ep-
worth League and of every other so
ciety of young people organized for
Christian work.
This is the opportunity of the
ages. Are we meeting 1t? Manhood,
| womanhood, integrity in business,
honesty in trade, sincerity in service,
sacrifice in relation to others, these
are things the age is calling for. VIII
we measure up to our part in the use
| of our inheritance which the last CEN
| trry has handed down to us and
which this century demands we use
to the glory of God and to the edihca'
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