Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1914 — Morals and Method. [ARTICLE]

Morals and Method.

This difference between the scientist and the “psychical researcher” 1b after all the difference also between the original and the commonplace; the distinction between morals and sinfulness. “You can teach a man logic,’* said a philosopher once, “but you can’t, make him think.” Alsq you can obviously teach a man the science of medicine without making of him a phyaidan; a healer. If theology and society correlated each other there would he fewer tears for the backslider and the certain knowledge that “all sin is vain” has armed but preciouß few of us against temptation. It is easier to give counsels of perfection for the benefit of our friends than it is for us to achieve even a respectable mediocrity in matters of our own conduct; and the world, particularly the world of America, would avoid, many disappointments if it commenced with the admission that hqman nature is very frail and most fortunate if it even approximates the ideals of dembcraey. “Why can we not,” said a cheerful cynic as he watched some acrobats performing, “why can we not teach and acquire morals as these people acquire their' skill.’ And here and there some one of us does. But for the* rest there Is the lucky chance that we may escape being as bad as sometimes we have felt like being and the healthful humility of remembering that even our father Adam surrendered much that was his for the thing that was de■“'“•l ■ (j*.