The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-06-23
WHERE OUR TIMES GET THEIR |
IDEALS.
The international Sunday school Les
son for June 2S Is, The Seeking
SaviOr."-Bcb. Ala to $40.
William II I.

BY William L. Ellis.
Merely to prove that our brains
have not lost their highest capacity. |
1t is worth while for us to stop think
ing about the sporting page and the
fashion hints long enough to consid-
er the drift of the world in which
We live. That is big thinking, wor-
they Of mature minds. Few Of US
ever rise above a consideration of the
nearest and smallest of the many
counter currnts of life.
When We view things in the large,
1t becomes clear that the general
trend Of our times is towards ideal
ism.
Almost IN department of life may
be selected at random in proof Of
this. Consider the matter of the edu-
cation of women. Within the mem
DRY Of living persons, eminent think
ers Scoffed at the idea of she
schools" and education of females"
Many persons still alive knew Mary
Lyon. who was the pioneers Of the
modern idea of higher education for
women
Child labor, the horrors of which
have taken strong hold of this gen
Grafton, was not the subject for com
ment a century ago. Our vast plans
for baby-saving and for hygenic liv-
ing are creations Of our own day.
Prison reform is scarcely more
tIidt q ttiitu oio iOuo lHO PIVo
ent conception of prison reform is 4
world ahead Of that which Dickens
knew. The general differsion Of in
t~elligence within a century has been
a colossal achievement.
1t iS only a matter Of decades since
temperance has made such progress
as the most prophetic reformer Of
fifty years ago could not foresee or
anticipate. The social evil has been
boldly challenged. and is being Saga
ciously fought in our day. Politics
Is being put upOn a new basis. Med
ical science is coming to be a social
service The thinking of the whole
world is growing democratic.
Simply stupendous is the progress
which our eyes nave been seen in the
advance of human welfare. A long,
clear look at this shOuld steady our
thinking and stop our hysteria- Great
tasks remain. but that hey nay be
already been done. The seemingly
new principle which is dominant in
the world today is noting else thar
the kingdom idea taught by Jesus
nineteen centuries ago.
80 Pale G~alilean. Thou Hast
COnqucrcd!"
The cry Of Julian the ApOState may
be echoed in our own day. The socia
conquest of our era all follow at tn.
CUEhTiOl WHICH, VI SlIlSl, dllu LIZ Pal
Of His triumph. He is the victor il
the twentieth century. The i'm
MEASURABLE ferment of his genera
ton is traceably due to the kingdom
leaven. which Jesus implanted in tn
lump Of society in the days Of hi
flesh. What an evidence Of the pa
thence OF God. that he should wait s.
long for SO much of victory.
For the past three months the Sun
day schools of the world have beel
studying Jesus in his teachings
Through the record runs a clear not
of opposition. His ideas seemed s
radical as to be turtle. The spectacl
appeared like a pathetic waste OF
great mind and a great mission; TO
the shadow of the cross fell athwar
these latter days Of Jesus.
Now, in amaze. we behold the con
sequences OF those u~tterances whic
His day fiouted No where else bu
i'm the teachings of Christ did thi
new spirit of low and mercy and pus
tice take rise. We are today reap
ing. His kingdom is 50 palpably tr'
umphing that we may echo Julian
cry."O Pale Galilean. Thou hast cor
quercd!"
Three Months of Wisdom Words.
A period of about three months
the life of Jesus is covered by tn
quarters lessons. The scene of all
laid in Perea. Steadfastiy the face
Jesus was turned toward Jerusalem
He was the end of His life.
These lessons all represent Oil
courses. There were attendant inc
dents for some. but only one mirac
the healing of the lepers. jest
was gathering up into the final me
sages the u~tterances Of His minlstr
The background Of snarling. ca
tious hostile PhariSeeS is preSeI
throughout. Then. as low, vested 4
.terests were against new ideas. Fro
the DAVIS of Jesus down TO the We
of the Home Bill by the House
Lords. the rich and powerful ha'
Always been found opposing the pr
yrpSS Of democracy "tOnSerVatlSn
sets it's face against reform. EV'
the Church has found herself in son
cases holding a fort. when she shou
have been leading a charge.
In this connection, 1t Is 70 be nc
ed that two of the stories told