The moral character of the people is shown by the men it chooses for administering the laws, by the moral character of a people we gauge their religion; upon a people's religion depends its preservation. We build as though we were building for the hour. The ruling motive of life too often is social position. The natural outgrowth of our social condition is immorality. Woman's fashionable folly and her reckless extravagance, so contrary to the spirit of the women of olden times, has helped society of the present into the demoralizing influence that characterises European cities. We need first of all to get back to more simple living; we need more Puritan earnestness and thoughtfulness. We need more devout Christians. When you who see the truth are willing to follow her, and will bring your influence to bear those who do not, those noxious plants in our midst will be rooted out. To you who will hear, to you the clarions of battle call.
THE FOUNDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIA.
Of all England's vast possessions. upon which it is said "the sun never sets," India is the richest. It is favored with every variety of soil and climate from that the lofty peaks of the Himalayas, clad in eternal snow, that of low, rich river deltas under a tropical sun. It ishes in liberal abundance the richest products from fields, and the choicest fabrics from its looms. In more than the enormous revenue which it annually pays, has India been of benefit to England. It has proven a field of action for men of large mental endowment. Here they we gained wealth, power and fame. For this rich and fertile country, the area of which nearly equals all Europe, less Russia. and with its two hundred and forty millions of people, double the number estimated of all the subjects of the Roman Empire, to be brought into subjection to a small trading company thousands of miles from home, must have required a leader of no mean talent. Such a man was Robert Clive, founder of the British Empire in India.
Lord Clive, being a man of strong passions and tried by great temptations, was guilty of wrong, but, nevertheless, those who will take an impartial view of his career, must admit that England, so rich in heroes, has produced few greater either of soldiers or statesmen. In boyhood idle and unpromising, he was remarkable chiefly for his strong will, his daring and passionate nature. Springing, not from the nobility, but the middle class of society, unaided by fortune or friends, this youth added to his native isk her richest tributary and gained for himself a place among the heroes of the world. .At the age of eighteen . he landed in that country upon whose fortunes he was destined to work such a change. His first days here were indeed miserable—homesick, pour, disliking his work, cut off from his companions by his haughty shyness, he twice attempted suicide. At the failure of the second attempt he was impressed by the conviction that he was reserved for higher things. That he was born to be a leader was evident when, at twenty-five, unexperienced in military affairs, supported by officers even less experienced, he planned and carried out one of the most daring exploits in history. Marching through a violent storm, with but five hundred men he captured Arcot, defended by the skillful French, and held this, the Nabob's capitol, for fifty days against thousands of assailants. This was a victory of momentous import, for it was the first check the French had received, and already their shrewd commander had conceived schemes for the establishing of a French empire in India. Victorious everywhere, he was fast accomplish-ing his design, when Clive, foreseeing the danger, by his daring and promptness thwarts his plans. While the French commander was unequaled for schemes and plots, he was not a soldier. His English antagonist added to his ability to plan. that of action. Who can say that had not England possessed a Clive, the French had not been rulers of India to day?
A few men have won great victories at an earlier age than twenty-five, but they were kings or princes, surrounded by veteran soldiers and experienced commanders. It is safe to say that no one at his age, with so poor an army, ever won so brilliant victories.
His ability as a soldier was again shown a few years later, when, encamped on the plain of Plassey, his little army of 3,000 faced a foe of 60,000. To contend with an army twenty times as numerous must have tried to the uttermost the courage of an experienced general, and it is not surprising that the heart of this young commander should shrink from the almost impossible struggle. Before him as a prize lay Bengal, the richest province of all India, but he well knew that if the result of a battle was not victory, it was certain death. As the din from the enemy's camp fell upon his ears, for the only time in his life the thought of a retreat came to him, but, after an hour alone with nature, his dauntless courage triumphed, and in the ensuing battle the strict discipline of his 3,000 men, under his efficient leadership, routed the vast but untrained enemy. From this victory. June 23, 1757, dates the beginning of the British Empire in India.
All through his career as a soldier he accomplished by daring what no man would have thought possible. His promptness of action and recklessness of danger took every enemy by surprise. Browning says of him:
"Fear I naturally look for, unless, of all men alive,
I am forced to make exception when I come to Robert Clive.
So great was his fame throughout India that the very name of Clive and his Englishmen would put to flight an army. But notwithstanding the fear which his enemies had of him, his own army were devoted, especially the native soldiers, whose devotion surpassed that of Caesar's famous Tenth Legion.
Few men possess great talents in more than one direction, but great as was Clive as a soldier, he also made for himself a name as a statesman and reformer. He not only gave England India, but when, weakened by anarchy, it was in danger of being overthrown, he preserved the government which he had founded. In the early days of the British Empire in the East, India was filled with adventurers eager to be rich. The servants of the Company, urged by the love of gain, had forgotten the interests of their employers and their country, and were engaged in amassing fortunes for themselves. The natives were merci-
