The Call of the Twentieth Century, an Address to Young Men

A passionate appeal rings through these opening words, urging today’s young men to become the architects of the coming era. The speaker frames the twentieth century as a fresh wave of energy, a time when each individual’s character will shape the world that awaits. He asks listeners to consider what they will leave behind—a disciplined mind, an honest heart, and a resolve to meet the century’s demands.

The address identifies three hallmarks that will define the age: a strenuous spirit, intricate challenges, and a democratic impulse. It reflects on how scientific advances have shrunk distances while expanding the scope of personal choice, urging each reader to confront countless decisions with vigor. By linking personal duty to the broader sweep of history, the essay invites its audience to embrace the hard work, moral complexity, and collective responsibility that the new century calls for.