THE MAN OF THE HOUR.

It has been said by some who study history, that times make men; and again, by others who study history, that men make the times. Neither statement is a full truth, even as human truth is constituted. For there have been great epochs with small men, and small epochs with great men, who burst their hearts against the narrow walks of their environment, and died.

This is a great age, perhaps a monstrous age, perhaps a divine age, but surely to be admired, even by the most stupid. Nations go to war for purposes which they but dimly feel, led on by wisdom that is not their own, to an end that they may not see. Principalities and republics are stirred by the desire for revolution, though the result of the revolving is hidden. Surely in this unrest of the nations there is ground and seed for the harvest.

The times call on the man. In all of Russia, in all of Germany, England, Italy, France, there has arisen not one to speak with a voice that the nations might hear. There has arisen not one to find the purpose in the storm, and to lead the world through the foreshadowed change in its development.

The times call on the man. There are truths to be known, and deeds to be accomplished. Where is the wise man who is born once in ten generations, to tell us the great truth out of all falsehoods, and accomplish the great deed out of all errors?

Not from great military leaders will he come, nor from great statesmen. Not from our leaders of affairs and our established politicians. He will be a dreamer who knows the highways to the fulfillment of dreams; and a wise man whose wisdom is beyond the shallow chatter of banks.

Such a man will surely arise, unless this whole war is to miss its fullest meaning, and the upheaval of the governments be but chaos without form.

The times call on the man. Even they, the greatest of the great men who have ever lived, would find in this generation the need for their fullest powers.