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.
