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The selfishness of the middle classes makes it difficult to 
persuade men to take up useful public work or think out 
municipal problems, and consequently they are in great 
danger of lessening their capacity for leadership. 
Many defend their attitude on the ground of moderation, 
but the impartial mind is rare, and the moderate man is not 
nearly so common as one might be led to suppose. This 
affectation of moderation is assumed as a disguise for selfish- 
ness. 
These modern tendencies in life and conduct seriously 
undermine every useful activity which demands time and 
attention. Friendship demands more self-sacrifice, generous 
appreciation, and constant effort to understand motives 
and aims than this age is generally prepared to give. There 
is neither time nor place to cultivate close friendship. Con- 
versation also seems to be suffering from the spirit of the 
age. It is trivial and superficial, for real conversation is only 
possible among friends of long and settled intimacy. 
From the foregoing brief sketch many conclusions may 
be drawn. There is conformity to standards, but they are 
mostly false, and there is also much superficial criticism of 
social, religious and political institutions. Life seems to 
have lost its idealism and reality, and education is misused. 
But there are great counteracting forces at work, and the 
outlook into the future is hopeful. Education is now within 
easy attainment of all classes ; the best literature is inexpensive ; 
schools, museums, picture galleries, and public libraries 
are multiplying. Philanthropic and humanitarian institutions 
flourish, the church is awake with new life, and there is great 
evidence of a growing social sympathy. With a higher 
standard of personal responsibility, and more dicipline of 
character, this age of great possibilities and increasing oppor- 
tunities would be a great age in every respect. 
