This is true because it is from the people that the national life flows. It does not come from executive offices, legislative chambers, nor judicial tribunals. These are only instrumentalities in the carrying on of its affairs. Its essence depends upon the people who make the state. It roots in the places where they live and work. It is never any better nor any worse than they are. It is tempered to the home life, the industrial life, and the social life of the land. It is as good as human virtue makes it, or as bad as the lack of human virtue leaves it. It is, therefore, more largely dependent upon Christian agencies than upon any other one influence. Without the Christian church, the land would never have had these qualities that make life sound and strong. Deprived of the Christian church, it would soon cease to have them. With their departure, the sanctity would die out of family relations, the spirit of mutual helpfulness would perish from community life, and citizenship would be deprived of the attitude of loyalty to flag, country, and law. While these virtues are maintained, the state stands strong and firm. When they decay, the state goes to pieces as a barrel falls to staves when the supporting hoops are removed. This is sufficient to indicate that the state can hardly place too high a value upon the church, and that it cannot place too high a value upon the faith for which the church stands. A few words should be now said to the point that since the church and the faith have served the country so well in years gone by, they cannot afford to miss the present supreme opportunity to serve it. America is passing through a great transition stage. No one can say just what the outcome is to be, but every one recognizes the presence of a national ferment which is certain to result in something positive in the not distant future. There is probably small ground for alarm. Ours is a nation of thoughtful people. Whatever they do in the end will be tempered with wise judgment. As it has been in other days, they will choose the wise course, and we shall only find ourselves better situated than before. The fact stands, however, that we are now in a transition period. The whole world is entering into a new period in its existence. It is desirable that this new period shall be really an evolution of the old. The best of the past should survive, having added to it the best thought and talent the new age can furnish. Those revolutionary minds who think the new order will be some sudden substitution for an old one wrecked by the hand of annihilating violence are in the hopeless minority. Sound judgment will prevail, but a change is on the way. In fact it is already partially realized.