The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-05
RY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)


BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS)
One sure sign that the world is grow
ing wiser is it's return to the great
simplicities. We are understanding
afresh that the elemental things really
govern life. The science of government
is not a mysterious thing: the daily
newspapers are interpreting it for us
in terms of the common welfare ana
of everyday righteousness. Diplomacy
once looked upon as a subtle, Slhuous
art, possible only to astutest men oL
4 special training, is now seen TO De Dul
z the frank Interpretation of one nation
to another, and the promotion OF nu-
tual good will and helpfulness- w ME
the sticklers for red tape were cyhl-
cally pointing out that James Bryce
was not a trained dipiomatist, he qul-
etly went on his way with message
of good will, accomplishing work Oh
diplomacy such as none of the spec
lists who had preceded MIN had ever
begun to approach
While statesmen have figured no"
TO out-maneuVer each other IN Europe
the new school political economist rises
and points out that Germanys SUPERIOR
ty over France is inevitable SIMPLY
because Germany has a far higher nlrth
rate than France. The Balkan war SET
us studying statistics as to the rela-
tive power of the Slav and the 1eutoh'
and we find that the future is Win
babies twice as fast as the 1eutoH,
The sceptre of the future is in the mana
that holds the rattle today The oesll-
ny of nations is. when the iast WI
is spoken, matter OF the OH
and of child-training.
This profound principle mulllIuuo
of nersons are glimpsing as they enter
upon child welfare work. They rolloW
the example of the only Teacher VIZ
set child in the midst we are WI
Messing a marvellous modern eAP g
sion of the gospel impulse toward thG
sapcti+v of the child. Unsenumenldi
economists are learning today tnat Loi
q nation babies are better tnan poilua,
a low death rate for children Is lioI
desirable than high interest rate tor
money; that boys anu sl,l9 p%S ,,,,oitv
than stock dividends. A conhuhllS
with healthy infants is more poteHl
than one with a great political organ
cation School houses are pellei ~
1-estn1ent than office buildings, not u
, mention the way they supersede aims
1900, I'D tails The child. our newly
anointed eyes perceive, Is the oehNeie
of the nation.
The New Politics.
The sound political wisdom OF an
this is apparent to the ordinary Ildll,
We are beginning to understand tne 7
relationship to real pa lrlotlsII fo,
the beautiful modern movements 1oi
tbe welfare of children. We see ina.
from the baby-saving show to the new !
tea chings in pedagogy. we are ens@e
cd in a glorious conspiracy TO lhaA0
better nation. .L :. a }
richer place than the law-maker. me
fa4ber of a family is seen to pc Oh
more Importance than the poAlliO"'
s.Ivorker'' who gets out votes on elec-
tion day. Even the bat-pnno pom cleal9
sre grouping toward an understanding
-of the truth that the day school ana !
tba sunday school and the playground
are factors in the national welfare.
The child Moses, studied this week
Nv, the Sunday schools OF the world
is concentrating immeasuraple atleh-
ton upon this great principle OF th3
nrimacy of child welfare. 1t Is an !
anpropriate coincidence that in the |
week of this lesson there should &c
met in Zurich. the Worlds SUNDAY
school convention, representing 81
1,1iIIion members, out of every nation |
under heaven. 1t seems an altogether |
reasonable thing that approximately |
.. 900 persons should have Travelled from
North America to Switzerland TO cen
slider the religious training OF the chlld-
This is constructive craftsmanship. II
concerns the making of charact r, and |
character alone makes nations
Taught by the Child.
One of the most beautiful of the /
immortal tales of human life is this |
story of the child Moses. 1t is eter- !
nally contemporaneOGs. The centuries |
make no difference. The babe in the !
little boat of bulruShes, confided care ,
fully to the flags along the river bank, !
is as real as the child we fondled in !
our arms an hour ago. The Inspired |
story makes the beloved baby, doomed |
by cruel decree to death, as real child /
as any read about in tOddy's newspaper. /!
The parents saw that Moses was !
O15I 2 haINx eX-nf
looked otherwise to the fond eyes OF |
its parentsi The preciousness Of the |
baby, which has Stoutened the hearts |
of millions of fathers and given |
strength and inventiveness to countless |
mothers, shines out in this story. The /
resourcefulness of these slave parents |
in endeavoring to save the life of their !
baby does not cause us to marvel. All !
of the great lessons of life are learned !
at the cradle. The greatest incentive !
to thrift in the world today is the pros
pective welfare of children. A baby IS |
a higher education.
A modern magazine poem, by Isa- !
bel E. Mackay. beautifully expresses |
the office of baby in expanding the I
horizon and capacity of life:
''She came to me at Christmas time /
and made me mother. and it seemed !
There was Christ indeed and He had /
given me the joy I'd dreamed
"She nestled to me. and I kept her
near and warm. surprised to find
The arms that held my babe so close |
were opened wider to her kind.
at hid her safe within my heart. My
heart I said. is all for YOU
But 10! She left the door ajar, and all
A the world came f1ocking through.
'She needs me. l learned to know
the royal joy that service brings.
She was so helpless that 1 grew to love
all little helpless things.