he great public
benefactions but for him. And I am sorry to add, too, that we would
never have had any saloons but for him.[Footnote: Substitute words
describing local conditions.] [Draw the letters composing the words,
"Public Sentiment," completing Fig. 77.]

[Illustration: Fig. 77]

"Yes, this is Public Sentiment. And what is public sentiment? I think
it may be described best as the expression of the will of the greatest
number of people in a community. It is the voice of the majority. It
is only when people want things that they get them. As the years go
by, the people themselves are becoming more and more mighty in
directing the work of those whom they have chosen to represent them.

"A contractor is not the builder of a public library or a public
school. These are built by the people who are united in sentiment for
a library or a school; the contractor is only the hired man who does
the bidding of the people. The residents of a city themselves bring
into existence beautiful streets, magnificent public buildings and
ideal health conditions; or else they bring to themselves the saloon
and other degrading institutions, all depending upon public sentiment.

"And so it is with the church and the Sunday School. The human factor
which keeps this school prosperous comes not from the superintendent
or the officers or the teachers alone. Its success is due largely to
the public sentiment outside of the school. It is the sentiment of the
fathers and mothers of these boys and girls, many of whom, while their
hearts are with us, cannot attend the sessions regularly. It is the
sentiment of you who are so loyal to us and whose prayers for the
school have been so effective. It is the sentiment of you members of
the Home Department who have shown in every way the appreciation of
this school. The knowledge that you are with us is a powerful help.

"During the dark days of the civil war there were two armies fighting
the battles of the North and of the South--the army that was in the
field and the army that stayed at home, the great silent partners in
the awful conflict. The latter was composed largely of the noble
mothers and sisters, whose daily prayers ascended to heaven while
their sad hearts and nimble fingers provided the comforts for the
brave boys at the front.

"So, with the members of the Home Department, we have come to think of
you as 'silent partners' in the work of our school. And as occasion
develops, we want y