The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-06-18
A SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT
TESTS OUR TIMES.
The International Sunday School Les
son for June % Is. 1.-THE Penitent
Woman'-LUke Z: $3.50.
(By WILLIAM t. ELLIS.)

Of a more radical character are TAX
ing place in this generation han in
any other period of history. 1t is a
liberal education just to understan
our own times. Whoever would live
for tomorrow, and share in the train
ing of the onconing generation, must
b. alive to the larger meaning of this
present day. There are mighty trans
formations taking place in the econ
onic and political world, but they
are less wonderful than the trans
formations that are under way in the
social realm. Human society is in
process of being mad over with res
pcct to it's fundamental conceptions.
one searching social question in
particular, which is older than Baby
Ion. is being fronted in new fashion
and with fine fearlessness. A con-
siderable body of the worlds So
cial leadership contemplates n un-
dertakes the complete eradication Of
an institution which was old when
the Pyramids were built. Now it is
notable that in this fresh facing of
what is called the social evil, mean
ing the sins Of the fallen man and
of the fallen woman, the world is
turning to the example Of Jesus,
who's dealing with the question in
one particular instance is the basis
of this weeks Sunday school lesson.
The Best Authority on a Present
Problem.
1T is nothing less than startling
that after nearly two thousand years
of the most intellectual period of
the worlds history We today have
no more advanced teacher than Jesus,
and no remedy for this particular ill
except His. Despite all our bOaster
progress, our times are only begin
ming to catch up with Christ. When
Miss Jane Adams made here
able statement en- the social evil to
the recent Men and Religion Con-
gress, she took, her appeal to the
teachings Of Jesus as the inal author
ity on the subject.
The person who SCOTS at religion
as old-fashioned needs to pause here
and ponder. He confronts the fact
that the practical sociologfst has no
better way "a the Jesus way.
There is more light on the problem
Of the social evil in the story which
Is the present Sunday School Lesson
han in the latest volume from the
press. Let us not miss the point that
it is only Christianity which even,
attempts to deal with this subject
Fundamentally and finally. The last
word upon it is with the gospel.
Prostitution will be solved in Christs
way, or it will not be solved at all.
A Host Who Was Not a Gentleman.
1t is not only In Washington and
London hat social contretemps oc-
cur. The lesson story is a vivid pic
ture Of how the success Of one Ella
borate social function was spoiled by
the wrong persons being brought to-
gether at the table. The rich Phari
see had invited Jesus to dine, be.
cause he wanted to exhibit the lion
OF tho day. 1t is no new wrinkle te
enhance ones prestige by ~"honoring'
distinguished visitors. Jesus was tn
vogue so Simon invited Him tt
dinner. Secretly, Simon despisee
among the socially elect. So he, sup
posing that the humble Nazarent
would not notice the lack, omitted
the little attentions which etiquette
demanded for every hOnored guest
and which he would not have railet
10 give to another rich Jew.
A singing rebuke to the snobbisl
rich was given by Jesus in h tact
full answer which he made to Simon
reflection upon the presence Of tn
woman who was a sinner. WOul'
that this little story could be rea'
by every wealthy family which i
about to entertain a preacher! Jesu
made it plain hat he clearly per
ceived that Simon was not a gentle
NAA AAo AN I'M 49,
mental culture which employs tn
usages Of etiquette merely from 1t
W instructive sense of refinemen'
II must have been hard hearing 70
simon to have it intimated that hi
judgment and were less tina
those of the poor woman OF tn
street.
The episode showed two ways {
approaching the character Of Chris
Inc final test Of society is what i
thlnks about the Master. We ma
nudge our times by their judgmer
OF Jesus. In a deep, real and vits
sense a question more important tina
any political issue is "What thin
ye or Christ?' The arrogant an
complacent n prosperous world
wisdom Of our time, which looks COZ
d~escendingly upon the Teacher frol
GaIliee, is strangely analogous to tn
attitude of Simon Of old