The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-22
(BY wILLIAM T. ELLIs.)

(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)
A greater number of changes ana
of a more radical character are TAX
ing place in this generation than III
any other period of history 1t Is a
liberal education just to understand ouI
own times. Whoever would live foI
tomorrow and share in the raining OIL
the oncoming generation must De alNe
to h larger meaning or TINS preseht
day. There are mighty transformations
taking place in the economic and po-
litical world, but they are less Won
derful than the TRANSFORMATIONS tnd'
are under way in the social realm. HUI
man society is in process Oh oelhg hldut
over with respect to its fundamental
conceptions.
one searching social question in par
ticular, which is older than Babylon
is being fronted in new FASHION anc
with fine fea~rlessness. A cohsloera
bly, body of the worlds social leader
shin contemplates and undertakes tbs
complete eradication of an institution
which was old when the Pyramids we<e
built. Now it is notable that IN TINS
fresh facing of what is called the so
ciaI evil, meaning the sins of the fallen
man and of the fallen woman, the
world is turning to the example OIL
Jesus. whose dealing with the question
in one particular instance is he basis
of the weeks Sunday scoool lesson.
Rcst Authority on a Present Problem.
1t is nothing less than startling thaS
after nearly 1000 years OF the most III
teIlectuaI period of the worlds history
we today have no more advanced teacn
er than Jesus, and remedy for TINS
Darticular i'll except His. Despite an
our boosted progress, our times a.
only beginning to catch up with Christ'
When Miss Jane Adams mace het
memorable statement on the social eVl
to the recent Men and Religion con-
gress. she took her appeal to the teacn-
ines OF Jesus as the ina authority Oh
the subject.
The person who SCOTS at religion as
old-fashioned needs to pause mere am
ponder. He confronts the fact tnal
the practical sociologist has no pettet
way than the Jesus way. There is more
light on the problem of the social eNH
in the story which is the present sun
day school lesson than in the lates,
volume from the press. Let US MOI
miss the point that it is only Chrlsti.
anity which even attempts to deal Win
this subject fundamentally and hnally
The last word upon it is with the COS
pei. Prostitution will be solVeo IL
Christ's way, or it will not be solved
at all.
A Host Who Wa Not a Gentleman.
1t is not only in Washington ana
London that social contretempts occur
The lesson story is a vivid picture or
how the success Of one elaborate social
function was spoiled by the wrong
persons being brought together at the
table. The rich Pharisee had invited
:JesIs TO dine. because he wanted to ex-
hibit the "1ion'' of the day. 1t is no
new wrinkle to enhance ones prestige
by "honoring' distinguished visitors.
Jesus was the vogue" so Simon in
vited Him to dinner. Secretly, Simon
despised Jesus as only a carpenter, n
as not among the socially elect. So
he, supposing that the humble Naza-
rene would not notice the lack, omit
ted the little attentions which etiquette
demanded for every honored guest, and
which he would not have failed to give
to another rich Jew.
A singing ebuke to the snobbish
rich was given by Jesus in the tactful
answer which he made to Simon's re-
fection upon the presence of the wom-
an who was a sinner. Would that this
little story could be read by every
wealthy family which is about to en-
terrain a preacher! Jesus made. it
plain hat he clearly perceived that
Simon was not a gentleman, and that
he lacked that fundamental culture
which employs the usages of etiquettet
merely from It's own Instructive sense of
refinement. 1t must have been hard
hearing for Simon to have it intimated
that his Judgment and manners were
less than those of the poor woman of
the street.
The episode showed two ways of ap-
p~reciating the character of Christ. The
final test of society is what it thinks |
about the Master. We may judge our
q deep, real and vital sense a question
more important than any political
issue is What think We of Christi"
The arrogant and complacent and pros
porous worldly wisdom of our time,
which looks condescendingly upon the
Teacher from Galilee. is strangely an
alagous to the attitude of. Simon of
OLD.
What Hospitality Involves.
In all fairness, it may be said that
a worldly-wise. polite, self-seeking
person should be slow about inviting
Jesus into his life. There may ensue
for which he not alto
son points out in his exquisite book.
Upper Room" whatsoever would ,
have Jesus for a guest must be willing
to receive his friends also: and his
thought to have Jesus and the twelve
at his table. He was r~esentful when {
he learned that in the train of this I'M
conventional rabbi came a woman of
the street. Admit Jesus into our scheme /
of things. and we find following Him a {
company, not only of earth's {
greatest and best. bat also of needy ,
and undesirable" ]
There have been attempts-every
ono of them a mockery of the gospel 6
establish churches made up of the {
socially elect. of mutually ~congenial !
persons from the same social circles. !
There is an absurd preacher in one of
the Philadelphia bur who is better
known for other qualities than his re- :
ligion, who advertises his church as
rich and fashionable" He and it !
been q tragic failure as repre-
of religion. Wherever a
undertakes to shut out the {