Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-06-20

and looked towards a new order, IN
which all men on American soil
should be free, when the great war of
account, when the new order was es-
tablished; through all these trying
experiences there was no stronger
element in the adjustment to the
changing order, and nothing has more
surely tended to draw North and
Abraham Lincoln.
The nineteenth century saw great
changes in England. AT its begin
ming there was corruption, and gov
eminent by the few; at its close no
natl, n except perhaps republic is
more truly governed by the people.
And through all the struggle of the
last half of the century when the re-
forms were accomplished, the cham
pIon of righteousness and freedom
was William +. Gladstone, whose in
tegrity of character won the COM
mendation of friends and foes alike.
In the present day conflict between
the interests of the people and the in
terests of the wealthy and powerful,
there are none who have SO won the
approval of the world as the men who
are scrupulously honest at whatever
cost to themselves. Character is the
supreme need of these stirring times
when we are fastening toward new
order What then, is the basis of
character? Not education, for educa-
ton has often succeeded simply in
making the scoundrel more clever.
The basis of character is religion.
And | have no doubt that non
Christian religions have produced
some fine characters. But for us, the
basis of character is faith in Jesus
Christ, and no force for the develop
ment of character has ever equaled
that.
The great Statue of Liberty En-
the World in New York
harbor is a splendid and appropriate
emblem! We believe that our ma
tion is being used to enlighten the
world in the principles of liberty.
But Jesus is the light of the world
Shakespeare is called the Man for all
Time. So he may be in the world of
letters, but Jesus is the Man for all
Time in the realm of character. He
fits into any age. He is the pattern
for all the people of every cline.
To follow in His steps is most surely
to adjust ones self to the changing
order
Now it is worth while to do as
many great men who do not embrace
in its entirety have adj
vised, TO take Jesus Christ as an ex-
ample. The study of worthy charac-
tiers is not without its value, and
treated as other great men whose
lives we value and seek to emulate,
Jesus is the best pattern the world
has known.
Yet I commend to you a better
way. Take Jesus Christ as your
helper. He came to offer Himself as
the Saviour OF all who would believe
in Him, and for the accomplishment
of your life task you need divine aid
SUI Dis I1C OlClS. IL YOU WOulu III
press yourselves on your generation
and be prepared for the changes to
some, whatsoever they may be, you
must have the help of Jesus Christ.
And if you would add strength to
strength and help make the imprint
of Heaven on this changing world,
you should identify yourselves with
those who bear the name of Christ.
With some church that exalts the
name of Jesus and carries on His
work in the world you should be &C
lively allied. The united followers of
Jesus have wrought marvellous
changes in the last century among
peoples blghted by superstition, de-
grading customs and cruel practices.
The rapid changes made have been
wrought by character exemplfied in
the missionaries who have gone out
in Jesus name.
In our civilization. which already
bears the name Christian. but whose
must be greatly changed,
this same Jesus must be your Leader
and Helper. By this sign you, too
may conquer. You, too, may have
a noble part in the moulding of the
forces now at work, which shall make
a better. world, where peace between
nations shall reign, where class hos
tility shall be no more, where broth
erly cooperation shall prevail, where
shall rule with undis-
puted sway.