WHAT THE PAST TEACHES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7687, 23 April 1903, Page 2

WHAT THE PAST TEACHES

"The pioneer days are ever. We. ax© living as a grealt civilised nation, with, a complex industrial aiid social life, wliich) has changed immeasurably from the days when tho rough backwoods preacher ministered to the- spiritual and moral ru&stfis at a rough congregation. But if we are to succeed this spirit in winch wo work must be the same 'as theirs

"In the century which is opening tie play of infinitely far-reaching forces and tllio tendencies which make up. our social system 'bid fair to be even fiercer ia activity than in the century which has justl closed. If, during this century, men. of high moral sense stow themselves weaklings, and possess only t'ha/b cloisbeied virtue that/i'hrinks from contact witlh the raiW facts of actual life, then our great material progress will go for naught, and our civilisation will become a. brutal eham a<nd aJ

mockery. "If, as I believe, we are to adyance in broad humanity, kindliness and a, Spirit of brotherhood, it. must be by breeding and) training men wSio- shall b& both good amd strong, both gmtl© ancl valiant, men who) scorn wrongdoing, and at the same time have both the courage and strength to) strive mightily for tilie right." It is interesting to note that the American Methodists now number over six millions.