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him. He never thought going out into the world meant a grappling with such unprincipled men.

However, he must make up his mind as to the course he will pursue. Shall he become mercenary, selfish and avaricious? Shall he enter the conflict, and, like his competitors, resort to any and all means to succeed? Or shall he preserve his integrity, his principles; his high ideals? Suppose he tries to pursue the right. If he tries to observe the golden rule he will be taken advantage of at every turn. Those without conscience have every advantage over those of keen conscience and honor. They can outstrip them in the race. Whenever a brainy man like this fails, thoughtless people sometimes say, "Well, it's too bad, but a college education does not fit a man for business." I say, heaven spare us from one that does. It must be a most degenerate education that fits a man to be more cunning and pitiless than some of the human hyenas that infest the business world today.

On the other hand, suppose he decides to succeed, even though he must waive all principle and honor. Still there remain many obstacles in his way. To begin with, if he has no capital his chances are very slim. If he has immense capital, he will be almost sure to succeed. Without capital he must work for somebody else. To begin in a small way and work up is out of the question altogether. Such chances and openings are gone forever.

And right here one of the gravest charges may be

brought against modern business, and it is so important that I must digress long enough to touch on it.

Modern business methods are responsible for the closing up of all the openings and avenues that lead to business success. No more openings remain. Either one must start in business with immense capital or take a position working for somebody else. The young man with only brain and pluck is out of the race even before he starts. In olden times everybody had a chance to start in business for himself. The journeyman shoemaker had only to procure himself a set of tools, a bench and a room to work in, and he had an opening and an equal opportunity with everybody else. Today he would have to own an elaborate factory and expensive machinery, all of which takes capital. The carpenter of yore had little more difficulty in starting in, while to-day he would require an expensive planing mill with all kinds of machinery, which would also take an immense capital. Likewise the small merchant had no mammoth department store to compete with, and could begin on a very small scale.

I do not wish to be misunderstood. I do not advocate a return to old-time methods, but it cannot be denied that with the passing of the small business enterprise has gone the opening for the young man.

The young man fresh from college will find these openings few and far between.

Suppose he has no capital and must work for somebody else. He immediately finds a host of young men

struggling for the same prize that he is. All struggling for a promotion, and for every lucrative position held out there are scores doing their utmost and straining every nerve to win. Only a few can win. And these are generally the strongest. The rest must remain where they are. Yet there are many who persist that there is plenty of room at the top! An old and fallacious saying. There is no more hope of all succeeding to-day than there is for every runner to win in a foot-race, or than there is for every man to be president of the United States.

So, with the competitive struggle so fierce, the temptation to do wrong grows stronger every day.

Thus the college graduate is soon brought face to face with things that surprise him. He learns facts that were not included in the college curriculum. Sometimes he will wonder why they were not, and why he was left to learn so many things in the bitter school of experience. But he seldom digs deep enough to discover the real cause. Those students who are rich or who make a success of life never think of the subject at all. To them everything is just as perfect as can be desired, and they have no objections to offer whatever. The unfortunate ones sometimes discover the power behind the throne and lend their aid and support to all efforts of reform.

To recapitulate, then, it is futile to look to the colleges. and schools of the present day to rectify any or all of our social and industrial evils. Plutocracy would strain every point to prevent light on these subjects escaping from these institutions of learning.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CHURCH.

Its Exalted Mission; Lamentable Failure in Fulfilling It-
Why It Does Not Draw the Masses-The Worship
of Mammon-Corruption in High Places-
Why It Will Be Unable to Pre-

vent the Revolution.

Since we cannot look to education to avert the impending calamity, another influence suggests itself as a proposed remedy. And this is the church or religion.

If there is any influence that should pour oil on the troubled waters it is that of the church. It should be a light to the world, and utter in no uncertain tones condemnation of evil wherever found. It should champion right and the oppressed at all times. It should be a healing balm to the wounded and broken hearted at all times. To a monitor of this kind the people would lend an obedient and willing ear. They would hearken to and heed such a voice.

Has the church been such a monitor? Have the people hearkened to her? If so the church will be a strong factor in quieting the storm. If not its words will carry but little weight.

Let us inspect the record of the church to-day. What has it done for the poor; for the widows and orphans; the oppressed and homeless?

Sad to say, the evidence is against this. The evidence shows that it has felt the paralyzing touch of mammon and the world. The evidence shows that the masses have turned sorrowfully from it in disappointment.

The following, by Bishop R. S. Foster, of the M. E. Church, we clip from the Gospel Trumpet. It bears the same testimony, though in different language; a little too plainly perhaps for some, as the bishop has since been retired against his wish and despite his tears. Bishop Foster said:

"The church of God is to-day courting the world. Its members are trying to bring it down to the level of the ungodly. The ball, the theater, nude and lewd art, social luxuries, with all their loose moralities, are making inroads into the secret enclosure of the church; and as a satisfaction for all this worldliness, Christians are making a great deal of Lent and Easter and Good Friday and church ornamentations. It is the old trick of Satan. The Jewish church struck on that rock; the Romish church was wrecked on the same, and the Protestant church is fast reaching the same doom.