The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-05-30

of true worship is shaken Dy ulScoru
that almost browns out the music OF
field and wood. The moments glide
on and the footsteps of time are not
heard amid the sounds of strife and
conflict. Verify the words of Saint
Paul are fulfilled, THE whole creation
groaneth." But suddenly there comes
through the din and roar the re-echo
of low sweet cadences, accompanied
bv full voices in chorus and above
them all there rises one, clear and fill
ed with majestic sweetness. What is
this voice of triumph that ushers in
the glorious twentieth century? Lee
us listen for a moment. The voice
grows clearer and clearer; and with
the increased melody Of the song light
breaks through the problems of hui
mainly and its rays, at first dim then
brighter and brighter, seem to illumi-
nate the gateways of the world AS
we catch the ever-increasing strain
we can detect no note Of sadness, sor
row or regret, but one refrain of love
and hope that flows fresh from the
heart. 1t is filled with the joy of life,
of living, of serving! The accompany
ing voices grow faint and cease, and
the melody rolls on and on into the
ends of the universe, and is re-echoed
from the valuts of heaven And 10,
as the song goes on, the universe is
hushed in reverence. What, then, is
the burden of the song that causes ma
tons to listen and suffering humanity
to bow its head in worship? Whose
praises are sounded forth with such
silvery sweetness, to float abroad and
be heard by all the world? Is it
wealth, glory, fame, honor beauty?
Are those given a place in this royal
song of praise that rings out in this,
the beginning of the twentieth cen
praise for those who have chosen the
part in life to spend and be spent that
others may reap rich harvests of joy,
peace, comfort and gladness; for
those whose hearts have been laid on
the altar and beautifully consecrated
to the Masters work; for those whose
days are given in carrying good news
to the hungry brother in the wilder
ness: to those whose energies are
spent to the end that health and
strength may come to the weak and
oppressed; to those whose full store
house is thrown open to the suffering
humanity of earth; to those whose
life-Work may be obscure and unseen
by the world. but who have the sweet
consciousness of duty well performed
and a small, but real service to man
kind
But whence comes this spirit that
thrills and rules the twentieth cen
fury by her power? Look over the
world within our sight, See the wo-
man as she enlarges her homework
in large part and places herself in
the fight for better laws, better edu
cation, better morals, better nation.
Not with a view OF personal gain does
she enter the contest but with a high
err, nobler ideal of duty Of humanity,
With the same heavenly love do the
wealthy women of our nation, of 9th
er nations give their wealth, their
time, themselves in the great work of
lending a helping hand to the fallen
brother, of comforting and encourag
/ ing the tired, worn traveller of LIES
way. Look at our seacoast cities and
study the great work that is being
done among the immigrants who
thrOng to our land of plenty. Notice
the system, the improved conditions
of the management of this foreign ele-
ment Look at the juvenile and pris-
on reform work progressing so well,
especially in the western states Does
the world realize the great service
she is receiving from those heroes?
In the political world you will see
those men who yet triumph over
temptation, and place their ideals of
honor and loyalty before them as a
/ guide leading to heights of fame
Study still more closely the scientific
work Of our nation, OF the world.
Days, months. years have been given
to the study and experiment, and
means have been found for extermina-
ing many diseases, inventions have
been made that have promoted the
comfort of human society. discoveries
! have been added to mans store-house
OF knowledge. In the literary and ar
tistic field, talent and accomplishments
have been surrendered to longing to
I do some good: to aid the world a step
upward by the power OF the pen. of