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tion, save itself, since the history of
mankind began.

(1) The first thought that gives
Mr. Wilson pre-eminence in my esti-
mation is the character of his reli-
gious convictions. He is a Christian
gentleman from every viewpoint as I
see it. His attitude of reticence be-
tween his election and inauguration,
the brevity and significance of his in-
augural address each and all bespeak
a deep sense of culture. One express-
tion in his inaugural paper sounded
more like an inspiration than state-
craft. It ran thus: "We came not
to destroy but to restore." More than
eighteen centuries ago the King of
kings said in reference to Moses' law.
"I came not to destroy the law but
to fulfill," or words to that effect.

One noted churchman used this
worthy tribute in his sermon not long
since: "There was more practical
Christianity in Wilson's Inaugural
than in three-fourths of the sermons
preached in America today."

Mr. Wilson's latitude and longitude
of religious vision stands intensely
exemplified in the personnel of his
cabinet. I must digress far enough
to pay the highest tribute to Mr. Wm
J. Bryan, the eminent statesman and
churchman. My eyes had the pleasure
of falling on a newspaper article a
few days ago in which church forces
are hungering after spiritual instruc-
tion from his masterful intellect. One
account said Mr. Bryan is wanted to
conduct the largest Sunday school
class in the world at Washington.
Vice-President Marshall is known to
be a man of deep religious convic-
tions and activity. These principles
are my ideals and have been objects
of research on my part ever since these
men came into national prominence.

(2) Next to religious fervor stands
magnanimity. President Wilson has
been in office less than a month, but
has conclusively shown himself to be
a magnanimous man. His policies are
laid out along lines of broadness.
Even the humblest man is made to
feel already that he is part and par-
cel of the social and industrial life.
He is the first president for more than
Fifty years whose policies or attitude
in some way have not contained some
declaration or suggestion as food for
sentimentalists to play on the race
question in America. It cannot be
said that the whole country is tired
of the subject at all. This is onee
among the first things the rabble read-
ing class looks for through the daily
press. Many no doubt would give a
young fortune to see it.

Many republican presidents have
shown their weakness in this idea
more than anywhere else. It used to
be a nuisance to pick up a daily paper
and read such headlinesas these:
"President A or B takes a rap at Mr.
Negro;" Mr. Negro Not Wanted," etc.
etc. It is evident now that selfish in-
terests were the ends sought, although
some good was intended and accom-
plished.

(3) After contesting the principles
of our government planted at Ply-
mouth Rock in 1620, Jamestown 1609
and organized under Gen. George
Washington in 1789, the country has
at last decided to return to its first
faith—Christian government. This
conclusion is to be accredited to the
perseverance of the Christian forces
and is a kind of spiritual evolution.
America is fast living down her silly
ideals. The civil war is viewed by
the best minds as a sad, avoidable
misfortune; slavery is condemned by
all sections of the country: race
hatred is the only lingering relic and
it is most acute between the uncul-
tured of both races. Much, however,
is expected by way of improvement
where the people have a great model
at the head of affairs. We all have
noticed the activity of animal life on
certain balmy days in spring and
summer—the penetrating rays of the
sun seem to be a motive power. So
is the life of humanity in their social
and industrial affairs while under
just and broad rulership.

My definition of the word "progress-
ive" stripped of its political verbiage,
means this: Let every right idea that
is at present launched continue and
receive encouragement. Produce all
other ideas that will secure the best
service by either augmenting the old
or wholly absorbing them.

Again, it remains for the united
forces of Christlanity to demonstrate
whether our president is a product of
the American church or one born out
of season, like some prophet of old.
If he is a product, then he will be
supported as a son of Christianity.

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ate the act. The sun of civilization
is too high up the intellectual hori-
zon.

Very truly,

MASON A. WHITFIELD.
Jackson, Miss.