AT THE DARKEST HOUR. 



THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN. 



TTROM many points of view the opening of the twenti- 

 -*■ eth century is humanity's brightest hour ; the bright- 

 est, the most hopeful since life first took root on the earth. 

 Scientific discoveries are multiplying and open vistas of 

 promise that even while they startle encourage us to hope 

 great things. And other grander discoveries are, beyond 

 doubt, at the threshold. There is a thrill of expectancy 

 in the air of these opening years of the new century ; a 

 new faith that all which has preceded will soon be 

 surpassed. 



Inventions have prodigiously increased the powers of 

 men to contend with nature and deal with material sub- 

 stances. Foodstuffs have been improved in quality and 

 variety. Civil liberty to live has become better assured ; 

 transportation made easy, rapid and cheap. Throughout 

 the length and breadth of the earth, the press, telegraph 

 and telephone diffuse intelligence swiftly, and also enable 

 public sentiment to find expression. The . industries are 

 organized and systemized as gigantic agencies for human 



