not do so in the face of society when
our social ideals are finer. I believe there is the utmost hope that
within two generations our young men and young women will scorn
meannesses which we are accepting with entire complacency.

A close acquaintance with thousands of young men and young women
running through an experience of twenty-five years has taught me to
believe that our young people of to-day are altogether cleaner of
mind, of tongue, and of life than were their parents. There is freer,
franker discussion of many things that their parents would scarcely
have dared mention, yet I feel sure the moral tone is distinctly
higher. I look with entire hopefulness to an early season when the
young man who asks a woman to share her life with him will be met with
the entirely proper question, "Have you kept your life clean for this
event?" I believe that unless the answer can be in the affirmative the
young woman will not be able to have admiration enough for the young
man to cover uncleanness in his life.

There is one temporary phase of present life which seems discouraging.
The increase in the cost of living, and still more rapid increase in
the standard of living is shifting too late in life the age at which
our young people marry. The result is that one of two things is likely
to happen; either a large number of people are likely not to marry at
all, or the romantic time of life is passed before the event occurs
which it is intended to bless. A young man and young woman who are in
this time of life can deny themselves for each other, can struggle and
plan together, can hope and trust together to an extent that can never
be the case if marriage is delayed beyond the romantic years.

The best foundation possible for a life of happiness is vigor, ability
and good character. For the lack of none of these can wealth properly
atone.

There is an apparent tendency to waken to the situation. I hope it
will come soon enough for our young men and young women to get past a
desire for such establishments in life as their parents already have.
With this difficulty removed, with our widespread education, with the
constant diffusion of both information and ideals from our periodical
press I have every hope that the evolution of a new, a finer, and more
vigorous race, will come with a rapidity which nothing that the past
has done would lead us to expect.

CHAPTER XI

SCIENCE AND THE BOOK

We of the twentieth century