The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-26

that noble youth does not think life
essential, but that duty is to be done
whatever the cost.
Problems of the Cities.
Terse Comments on the Uniform
Prayer Meeting Topic of the Young
Peoples Observation-Disclosures En-
deavor, etc.-For April %: "The
Power of the Gross in City Sums"
Luke 14:15-23.'
The new firing line of Christian
progress is in the city. There center
the problems that are likely to give
the twentieth century the greatest
concern. The congested and con-
glomerate character of certain large
sections of most modern municipal
tiles has created an entire new set
of social problems. Some of these are
SO brave as to alarm thoughtful citi-
zens. Political economists are point
ing out that the next generation will
have to face difficulties far graver
than any that confronted the pio-
neers who made two great nations
on this western continent.
The first step towards the solution
of the problems that are bound up in
the congestion of the cities is to rec
ognize the existence and nature of
these problems. Here enter the re-
sponsibilities of the young peoples
societies. 1t is the Christian duty,
and the patriotic duty, of every
young person to interest himself in
civic questions. There are great bat
ties to be fought: the warriors must
be trained for the fighting. It is not
too strong statement to declare
that any person who is Indifferent to
what is loosely called 1.-The slum
question" is recreant in his Chris
tianity and his citizenship.
So long as the slums are regarded
as Sums their problems will never
be met; but when once they are seen
as collections of people with the same
instincts, impulses and needs as other
people, there is hope for helping
them. God himself is not interested
in 1.-The Masses" He knows all His
sheep by name. The divine art of
brothering ones fellow men: that is
the only way to win the battle of
the slums."
Social betterment is the chief in
terest of a formidable number of per-
sons. Some of them are college grad
yates and professors and some of
Others live in the college settlements
in the congested parts of great cities,
while still others preach from pulpits,
write for newspapers or conduct BUSH
mon welfare. Sociology is becoming
every day more of a real science; and,
still more rapidly. an impulse in the
hearts of everyday people. To re-
markab1e extent Christian leaders are
identifying themselves with social
service. This spirit is of a piece with
the restlessness which is felt turnout
the national life; the inscrutable Spirit
of Jesus is at work upon the hearts of
men to teach them His principle of
brotherhood.
The modern pastor of a downtown
city church is nowadays as truly a
home missionary as is the circuit
riding frontiersman.
The district nurse, she goes
among the homes of the city's poor,
teaching the gospel of sanitation, by
giene and cheer, is a modern mission
airy.
The problem of the twentieth cen
fury seems to be focused i'll the city.
There all the forces that hurt and
the forces that help are converging.
1t has often been said that Gods first
plan for mankind was a garden; but
that murderer founded the first city.
The sins of human nature seem to
flourish and thrive amid the crowded
streets of the city; and all the vexa-
tious social, moral, economic and
political questions of our time reach
an acute stage there. There is no de-
rying that the cry of the city rises to
every patriot who would spend his life
in the largest service of his time.
The Canadian churches have proved
their loyalty to the flag as well as to
the cross by their imperial concep-
ton of ministry to the newer portions
of the country. They have set them
selves, in noblest man-fashion, to the
task of carrying the offices of the
church to the very limits of pioneer
settlement Wherever runs the law
CT the and, there also goes the sweet
ard upouilding message of the Gospel.
II so doing, the nation is helping to
conserve the Canadian type, and to
mould the expanding populations into
the characteristics of reverence for
law. for order. for thrift, for educa-
ton and for religion.
There is a power in the simple tell
ing of .he ''old, old story" Occasion
ally, altho not rarely, a single nara
ton of the News has converted one
who had never heard it before.
Usually, so new is the message, and
so radically different from the pre-
vious thought of the nearer is its
background. that an oft-repeated and
explained presentation of it is neees-
sary for an Intelligent apprehension
of it on the par of the nearer.
The pest help is hardest to bestow.