Good Roads, Education, and Christianity
By Editor
Good Roads, Education, and Christianity.—Hon. W. C. Brownlow, member of Congress, from Tennessee, is working arduously for better roads, and it is a good thing. It is said that investigation has shown that, of all the roads in the United States, only 5 per cent. are good, 10 per cent. tolerable; only 15 per cent. really roads; 85 per cent. mere rights-of-way. Mr. Brownlow feels, and argues with force, that this only can be accomplished through federal and state co-operation. He believes that this would greatly help in the consolidation and efficiency of rural schools, and in the transportation of children to these larger schools, and thus greatly aid Christianity. We believe that working for good roads is a splendid work, and would prove a great benefit to the country in many ways; but we do not believe that it would either help or hinder Christianity. Christians ought to work for good roads, and all other things which make for the betterment of humanity; but Christianity is not in any way dependent upon these material matters. There is a road that it is well for the Christian church to look to, and that is the highway of holiness. Out of that she should gather out the stones, and the stumbling-blocks, that to its better, freer life those in the low plains of moral life, those in the sloughs and wallows of sin, may be attracted. That is the first business of the church; and, having that, she will, in the nature of the case, work for the physical betterment of all men.