Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 182, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1911 — Equality of Man [ARTICLE]

Equality of Man

By Rev. S. M. Dick

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l-OVi , •• ’*il " yf• TEXT—There le neither Jew nor Greek; there ia , neither bond nor free, there ia neither male nor female; for ye are alt one In Christ Jesus.— Gal. 11:28. Twenty-two years ago the Epwortfi League of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized. We celebrate Its twenty-first anniversary. Its growth has been marvelous, its work significant. It is not my purpose to review Its history, hut to call your attention to its opportunity for sendee. Service is the keynote in the symphony of this century's activities. Four distinct phases of ethical development mark the four quarters of the last oentury. These' four ethical principles are a foundation for the superstructure of ther ssWWid to be Tendered to humanity in the of Jesus Christ durlngtWs In the first <juaftel A df'*Ufe f lagt century the fundamental were laid for the breaking down of race prejudices. Nearly All Europe was la war. One hundred and seventy million people were involved/ 4,000,000 men were drawn from the Activities of economic production and were expending their energies in wasting each other’s states, burning their cities, robbing their fields, destroying their homes and taking their lives. No excuse other than an other nationality and plunder was necessary to go to war. But in the midst of this mighty conflict of destruction other forces were at work. Great tar king form in the minds of men who loved peace rather than war. The idea of the steamboat, the railroad, the telegraph was budding and blossoming to bring forth a little later its harvest of better feeling between nations, larger conceptions of fraternity and a keener sense of brotherhood and Justice. It was the Initiation of that great movement which is now resulting in that world-wide feeling, 'there is neither Jew nor Greek,’ but a man’s a man for a* that. The second quarter of a century was marked by abolition of slavery. The agitation in the British parliament succeded in emancipating .all British slaves in 1834. Hungary , had 9,000,000 ■laves. Nearly all of Austria and ‘Prussia war*-slaves. It was in this quarter of the AejSßiry that the principles that were to brag freedom to the multitudes and the people began to- see a great light. The same was true of the United States. While the emancipation of the slave did not come until toe next quarter of the century, the leven of emancipation was working with the sure result which followed-la the sixties. Henceforth there was to he neither bond ndf~ free. The third quarter of the century revealed that, ethically speaking; there was neither male nor female. After the beginning of the century women were excluded from schools by law. No woman was allowed to teach in public schools; and for a woman to think of being a' clerk in a store or serving the public in any industrial way outside of the home was an almost unheard-of thing But from 1850 to 1875 was the period of their emancipation. Public school* were opened to them not only, to attend but they became donllnant factors in the teaching force..' Colleges for coeducation were, established In large numbers and women showed themselves the equals of their brothers in educational attainments. Before the close of the century 80 per cent of the teacher* in the pubtfe schools of the country were women. Practically all avenues of business were open to them and all professions welcomed them. Verily there was neither male nor female. - . •// The last quarter of a century we began to realize. Te are ail one in Christ Jesus.” It was the quarter at brotherhood. Trade, travel, education and religion began to bring men to see things from the same angle. We began to know each other, we learned we were brethren. We had one common interest. We served to one common end. Christianity; makes no distinction between races. It* aim and purpose is to lift humanity up to better things. These great movements have bequeathed to the young life of this century a rich heritage. In all departments of life we are asking the question: “Is the product worth while?" We ask of the public school, is the product worth while? Does it pay the cost of Its production? Of the college and university we are asking toe same question. The same i«-being asked of the saloon and of the great | Industrial organizations; the same of the church of Jesus Christ The same of the Sunday school and of. the Hipworth League and of every other society, of young people organized for Christian work. This is the opportunity of toe ages. Are we meeting it? Manhood, womanhood, Integrity in business, honesty In trade, sincerity in service, sacrifice In relation to others, these are things the age Is calling for. Will we measure up to our part in the use of qur inheritance which the last oentury has handed down to us, and which this century demands we use to the flory of God and to the edification of man. —- The voice of all nature cries to US that there Is a God.—Voltaire