North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-08-21
Sacred Obstlna ey.

Sacred Obstinaey. res .f *
Madame Sevigne says, in letter to her
daughter, ~ went to yespers last night
purely out of spite, which gave me good
idea Of the sacred obstinacy of martyr
DOM"
There are many motives aside from the
only pure one-obedience to God-which
prompt men to do what is regarded right
in the world. A naturally tender heart
may induce person to pity and aid an
other in distress, without spark of that
love which God enjoins with the command
to love Himself with all the heart and
mind and strength. The same person who
pities one in whom he Is interested, may
wrong and prosecute another whom he
in the matter. asa.
Pride, and vainglory, and the desire for
praise, are fruitful causes Of seeming be-
nevolence while some men,-we trust
that they are few-perform their devotions
and dispense their charities with the full
intention of deceiving others. They wrap
themselves in the soft robe of the lamb to
hide the terrific form of the wolf; and there
by to spring more successfully on the un-
wary victim. ~ =. '.'' = -
But of all unholy motives, the one most
likely to deceive ourselves and others is
obstinacy. This contemplate mulsh vice
1t is nothing less-is often mistaken by
him who is ruled by it, for principle /; and
then the stronger it wakes, the more noble
he considers himself; and he expects 9TH
ers to bow down before his will and let
him ride over them as does Juggernaut ov-
err the PROSTATE victims in his way. If o
man is misery and covetous, he knoUs
that he is cherishing sin and may desire to
cast it from him sometime but he who
has sanctjfrd his acilfalness and called it
by the charming name of principle" will
die with the delusion, unless God have
mercy on him T; and before he dies he will
work ruin somewhere.
This SACRED obstinacy of martyrdom'
often leads men to take what they style
''the unpopular side of question" which
is such, perhaps, because the good sense
of others prevents their falling in with him.
Then he mounts the high tower of princi-
pie and thence defends his views, presume
ing that none but himself has any con-
science or judgment. Henow deifes his
mulishness and glories in his shame. He
considers all who differ from him enemies
Of truth, and is prepared for any work
which will subdue them to his will sa-i
Woe to the church which numbers among
its members man of '.sacred obstinacy r
All peace is false in his esteem, save such
as follows yielding to his will and as to
the glory Of God that can be accomplish
ed only by the same sacrifice. -
Some of the great martyrs of history
may have passed through the flames from
such motives many Of the little ones are
with US always, who would die rather thar
yield their will. If they only would die
leaving others in peace, it would be well
for the church but too often they consider
it their duty to live and fight, in the vain
effort of subduing all men to their wills
Occasionally, however, these false martyrs
reach the block in the way they least ex
pect. While setting themselves up as The
embodyment of wisdom and principle
they suddenly find the humble and judi
cious, who are weary Ct contention, part
ing company with them by putting them
aside which, forgetful of self as they pro.
TESS to be, is any thing but agreeable to the
pride, which after all is the ruling princi
pie of their lives.-Boston Watchn,an.