Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-03-12
METHODS OF REFORM
Union With The Positive is Strength
Two Ways Of Procedure-A Fruit
full Debate--The Universal Melody
With Chance Life VIII Bloom
Everywhere-Modern lSkepticism,
By w. T. williams


Union with the positive is strength
and since we have within us the facul-
ty ts choose II, to say the least it is
wise for us to do so. IL we see our
way clear to do this much, we are
blessed beyond degree, for our pres
ent and future well-being depends up
on it. Our choice is the ruling factor
in this matter. We cannot grow and
develop in power, or in accordance
with the design Of our creation, with
out II. This Is a part of our endow-
ment and it must be used. We cannot |
proceed without making q choice of |
the road wa want, but to be as efficient |
as we might be, we must elect the |
positive side Of life. We take for |
granted that the deepest desire Of |
every person is to be as efficient as
possible In his path, and then it be- |
hooves him to choose the best method
which Il within his reach to accom-
plish his desire. This it Is, because no |
strong character can be builded on
the negative. On the surface this is |
an impossibility. Such foundation
is absolutely too weak for such q |
structure. II is not in keeping with |
our nature nor with that which we
know 10 be the truth. The testimony
of the heavens and the earth is in our
favor, and during our best moments |
we admit quietly that such is the case. |
We are conscious that it cannot be
otherwise. We are sure that this is
the appointed wny-the way of life |
and truth. Life Is positive power. of
necessity, and II we are living to any
purpose, with clear aim, we are also
positive. We have discerned the value
Of things in its right proportion. This
il self-evident to all who want to see.
II Is felt and seen everywhere. 1t has
been planted In our hearts as well as
written across the universe, and
everything contrary to II is artificial.
When we deal with one another in
our various avenues of occupation, 1t
must be done either negatively or
positively. We must deny or affirm.
There are no other ways open to US,
and so far as we know, never will be.
The world and all it's possibilities seem
to come to an end at these points, as
II there was no room for another one.
These are the only methods which
have been appointed to us and one or
the other must be adopted. There is
no middle path, and the person that
tries to persuade himself of anything
else, is doomed to find himself at the
end Of the day sorely chagrined. This
Is true in every channel--social, poll
tical, religious. In the last analysis
life IL definite, and its principles are
so steadfast as the laws Of nature.
In certain city very interesting
and beneficial public debate took place
4 - ~ u
had agreed to debate the subject,
"How to Purify the Atmosphere OF
our City" for the good Of all con-
cerned- It was q great discussion,
and, indeed, 1t could not be otherwise;
because the debaters were able and
sincere. The truth had free course
with the two. The schemes Of Jug
glery we're not used In any manner,
and the audience was appreciative as
well as knowing the purpose Of the
souls into the work, and the effect was
wide, deep and wholesome. The one
who had taken the negative side of
the question maintained stoutly that
In order to purify their surroundings
It was essential to destroy by some
force or other everything that work
who had the positive side in his care
maintained fully as emphatic that
while the negative method had to be
used occasionally, or under certain
conditions, nevertheless, It was very
far below the standard and the aim of
that mode of life which the Perfect
Man had lived, as well as not being
able 10 pierce the seat of the evil. He
compared the negative argument to
covering a sore with sound skin, which
at length, would show that this did
not cure the sore. Attention had been
given 70 the wrong end-the top In
stead Of the bottom. Force could not
reach the roots Of the evil no more
than the added sound skin could reach
tho bottom Of the festered wound, and
tho only way this could be done was
by bringing TO bear upon the life Of
the city an overwhelming amount Of
virtue. This was positive treatment,
and no man could gainsay its worth,
because goodness was even more con-
tagious and powerful than vice. The
negative treatment was only good
for q season ut best. II was make
shift.
Theirs were no Judges to offer their
Judgment at the end Of this able and
searching debate, nevertheless, q judg-
ment was given---every member Of
the vast audience judging for himself.
No audience of people was ever con-
Quoted to q richer. field Of thought,
and today. this beautiful city has
every facility to develop its four
thousand souls along the lines Of the
best that has ever been said and done.
The growth that goes from glory to
glory has been started, and that with
out war and commotion. The evil
practices have been displaced by up
lifting practices, and some, which
were considered evil, have been re-
generated by being handled by cleaner
hands. New life has been poured m
to their veins. The light has beer
brought to bear on the darkness. The
low places have been elevated, and
the high places have been lowered sc
much that all meet on the same plat
form. The classes have been eliminat-
ed. Every man, woman and child has
been convinced Of the value Of friend
ship and cooperation, and the results
are that every man. woman and chile
are honored and encircled by the fruit,
of love. They have created the kint
of atmosphere which they wanted
The rich and the poor. the master an,
the laborer.Q the educated and tn
ignorants have become fixed in on
purpose.
Life Is a positive power, and all !
needs to make itself manifestis simp
ly q chance. Give 1t chance and |
will illuminate every dark nook o
the universe II win bloom in tn
midst of Us like the Rose of Sharon
for its vital impulse is sympathy
This is the core Of its heart and It
mantle Is large enough for the Who'll
race. 1t knows no classes. It cover
the human family. Its delight is wit
The children of men, and it will no
cease to knock at the doors of thei
hearts. ~ win continue to knock un
til they have responded because !
cannot be satisfied with an iota les:
WIEN. the impression we make upo
the moral consciousness Of our fellow
4. L.. Anm r.N 49, II