The Philosophy of Reform Author:Edwin Hubbell Chapin Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE PHILOSOPHY OF REFORM. The most potent word of the present day— the word that is most significant in its meaning, and extensive in its influence—is Refo... more »rm. Often abused, often misapprehended, the delirium of the monomaniac, the mock-word of the ignorant and the heartless; yet, in some sense, every mouth utters it, and every soul is thrilled by it. It is spoken fearfully by the timid Conservative, who crouches in the shadows of the Past, or arrogantly assumes that all goodness is enshrined at the altar where he worships. It blisters the lips of the narrow Fanatic who, vaunting boisterously of freedom, is the slave of a deformed idea. It is discussed by indolent, good-natured men, who philosophize in easy chairs, and, sitting at their tables of abundance, fervently hope that no one starves. And it gushes up from free, strong souls, whose feet upon the mountains bring messages of joy, who have wrought in the night-time with Faith and Prayer, and who, looking forth upon earth's wide millions, bid them take courage and rejoice —for yonder kindles the rising day. But now, let us consider seriously, what is the Idea that lurks under this word Reform. Is it a legitimate Idea—an Idea founded in the nature of things ? And, again, what is Reform ? Is it a principle which as Philanthropists and Christians, we can adopt, and strive, and hope for ? The discussion of these questions, will furnish what we have to say at this time, upon The Philosophy Of Reform. And the first thing that I shall advance, is the fact that Reform, if not an innate, is at least an indwelling principle in the soul of every man. There lies there a presentiment, often dim and unheeded, it may be, yet a presentiment of something better, an idea of a greater good to be obtained, which renders him dissatisfi...« less