Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-05-15

to men and beasts who suffer and are
in need.
Also should we bear in mind the
truth that we have reached stage
wherein Dives (for the word is merely
the Latin for "a rich man") must
justify to the world his stewardship; a
well-advertised multi millionaire hav-
ing given currency to the proposition
that sit is disgrace to die rich. .
The inequity of social conditions
should not blind us to the tremendous
strides that are being made in our
own time toward social justice. 1t
would be less than fair to forget the
host of men and women of wealth
who are genuine lovers Of mankind,
and whose deepest passion, and con-
stant endeavor, is to administer their
possessions as trust for their fellow
men. This is no day for pesSimism,
even in contemplating so grave sit
uation as the present status of wealth
and poverty.
Shall Dives and Lazarus Change
Places?
Many persons are predicting a vio-
lent revolution in our own land and
time, bloody struggle to overthrow
King Plutos and to install King Demos
III Ills Sltdus uO llOl ltdI lillS. ntIt
is saving sense of sanity in this
western world. due largely to long
exercise of the power of self-govern-
ment, which looks askance at eXtrem-
lists and preachers of violence. Our
Anglo-SaXon regard for personal and
property rights acts as a brake upon
precipitate action. There are no such
clearly marked class lines as created
the revolutions of Europe. And un-
der the present form of government
lit is proving possible for society to
correct ages-old evils by the orderly
processes of law.
On every side, the present horizon
shows huge portents. which indicate
that Dives is to be retained and linn
lited, and made to act in a juster and
more brotherly fashion,; and that
Lazarus is to be given a fairer oppor-
tunity. 1t does not comport with the
twentieth century's conception OF
manhood that any man, however poor,
should lie suffering as q beggar at an
others gate, dependent upon the lat
ter's whim for sustenance. Our COM
mon sense tells us, however, that to
reverse the relative positions of Dives
and Lazarus is no permanent way out
of the difficulty; for Lazarus, Jr.. often
becomes a very offensive Dives, and
Dives, Jr., poor type of medicant.
The noisily exploited program for a
looting of those who have, to the en-
richment Of those who have not, is not
sound, by economic, social or Scrip
tural standards.
Taking Two Worlds Into Account
The wonderful story told by Jesus.
in the face of the powerful party who
were turning up their aristocratic
noses at Him and His followers, be-
cause of their poverty-quite as the
idle rich sneer at the poor as If lack
of money were q sufficient evidence
of their unfitness-brought to bear a
mighty factor in the problem of social
inequality. Jesus condemned Dives,
of course; unbrotherly wealth cannot
stand for moment in the clear light
of Christ's truth.
But Jesus said. in effect: "Take a
long look. Nothing Is settled until il
| ia settled finally; and In all questions
| between man and man (Which are
also questions between man and Cod
another life than this must be taker
| into account. Two worlds figure in al
of Gods reckonings. Dives has a mo-
mentary advantage and L.aza rus a mo
mensary xRadyantase, but let m,