Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1911-07-27

tnere IL neither pon1 nor free. tnero 10
neither male nor female: for ye arc all
one In Christ Jesus.-GaL ii:n
twenty-five years ago the Epwortn
League OF the Methodist Episcopal
church was organized. We celebrate
Its twenty-first anniversary. Its
growth has been 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 devei-
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
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. 1000. 900
men were drawn from the activities
OF economic production and were e.
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 20 to
war.
But In the midst Of this mighty
conflict OF destruction other forces
were 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 little later Its
harvest Of better feeling between ma
tons. larger conceptions OF fraternity
and a keener sense OF brotherhood
and justice. II was the initiation OF
that great movement which is now re-
sulung In that worldwide feeling.
there Is neither Jew nor Greek but
mans a man for a that.
The second quarter OF q century
was marked by abolition Of slavery.
The agitation in the British parliament
succeeded in emancipating all British
slaves in 1884. Hungary had 9.000.o 900
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 we're 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 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 a
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 1875 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 so 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 10 realize. 'Ye are all one in
Christ Jesus" It was the quarter Of
brotherhood. Trade. travel. educa-
ton and religion began TO bring men
to see things from the same angie
We began to know each other. Ne
learned we were brethren We had
one common interest We served to
one common end. Christianity makes
no distinction between races Its
aim and purpose Is to lift humanity
up to better things.
These great movements have be
queathed to the young life OF this
century q rich heritage. In all depart
ments OF life We are asking the ques
ton: Is the product worth vhiley-
We ask Of the public school. is tho
product worth whiler Does IL pay the
cost OF its production, or 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 OF
the church OF Jesus Christ The same
of the Sunday school and Of the ED
worth League and Of every other 50
ciety OF young people organized for
Christian work.
This Is the opportunity Of the
ages. Are We meeting IL. Manhood.
womanhood. integrity In business,
honesty in trade. sincerity in service.
sacrifice in relation to others. these
are things the age II calling for. VIII
We measure up to our part in the use
of our Inheritance which the last cen
fury has handed down to US and
which this century demands we use
to the glory Of God and 10 the edifica
ton OF man.