The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899, February 15, 1893, Page 8, Image 8
8 THE HESPERIAN ! i i cluos to natural law. To-day a fov havo boon graspod; somo foot aro passing across the threshold into the roalm of nature Two thousand years ago, because, I boliovo, God know that divino laws were too infinite and difficult for man to comprehend without clearer help from Him, the Christ camo, and when ho had said, "One is your Father, even God," ho had unwrapt all mystories and declared the brotherhood of man. The national character must bo nurturod intellectually and morally, so that every man, woman and child will appreciate the inesti mable value of the birthright America has given to all her children, of political and religious freedom and equality before the law. Too many to-day would sell this birthright for a mess of pottago; too many aro ignorant of their privileges and of their opportunities; too many would forget to bo patriots and ignore the claims of brotherhood to secure selfish ends. Industrial and political prob lems aro fast approaching each other, both, in different ways, hampering the march of social progress. How shall the confused, conflicting claims of capital and labor be reconciled? Into the raging, seething cauld ron of the present what potion shall bo poured that shall unify it, yet leave its com ponents fit for grander uses in tho future than their past has known? Is not this potion found when, to tho patriotism of tho fathers we add a faith in tho brotherhood of man, strong enough to servo as a working rule for every problem of national and civil life? With the development of tho industrial world, conditions aro growing favorable for an international, world-wide commonwealth. Tho whole world's intellect and heart and soul aro responding, with vibrations more and more distinct, to tho magnetic touch of industrial progress. Tho nations aro being woven together into an inseparable, eternal union of strength and peace. Commerce, industry, social intercourse, and literature aro the threads in this immense loom of humanity. Through and through these, back and forth, in and out, tho spirit of brothorhood and a fooling of interdependence constantly movo, weaving the groat political and social fabric of tho world. When the fabric is completed wo shall see tho pattern. I havo said that hero on tho v irgin soil of this Now World patriotism has secured tho surest foothold for tho individual. Hero too, despite tho momentary strifes of solf iuterost, I believe this spirit of brotherhood is most advanced. Comprehending, as it does, tho length and breadth, and hoighth and depth, and ultimate end of human existence and endeavor, what better theatro does tho broad earth offer for the struggle what nobler ambition could appeal to tho hearts of tho young men of tho republic? To-day, young men of tho republic, as wo stand with hearts eager and hands out stretched to take hold somewhere in this mighty work, may wo not soo, as in a momentary lifting of tho curtain of eternity, tho nations assembled in one vast congrega tion to look on while America shall lay tho corner-stone of tho temple of Universal Brotherhood? Above it tho eternal structure of tho International Community shall bo built up. There shall be as many columns and arches in that structure as there are nations upon earth. Within each one tho spirit of true patriotism and universal brothorhood shall animate each being. And if you and I have fought to unite all men in this true bond of humanity, that shall make tho whole earth a home, and "love" tho watchword upon tho outer walls, will it not bo enough to havo heard, as wo surely shall, tho "Well done" of God, tho Father? T. E. Wing. Village Life Iq the BlacK Forest. Tho wild and picturesque woody mountain region skirting tho right bank of the Rhine, from Basel far to tho northward is tho Schwarzwald. It is a region only rarely penetrated by tho American tourist, though our English cousins have found out and enjoy tho scent of tho hemlock-covered hills and the sight of crag and peak or lonely castle ruin, found there in such abundance.