The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-03-04
MORAL COURAGE AND REFORM.
BY REV. W. D. BEN >ETl, OF SUPERIOR.


LFr.m the Moraing CALI
Any ignorant landsman may fold his arms and float
out with the tide; only hardened and trained sinews
can breast it. Any idiot can roll down hill-his own
momentum viii take him; but it takes STEADY nerves
and cool heads TO scale the Jagged cliff. So any man
that has eyes and ears TO see and hear and brains
enough think, float with the world as it goes.
1t is easy, however, face overcome or change
great social currents. Reform and Improvement means
fight and successful fight demands sefpoise and moral
courage.
Let us think moment on human life, what it should
be, what 1t is, and its great present want.
The purpose for which every true man is placed in
the world is, to make it better by his living His great
duty is to amend his life, and correct the existing
order OF things, Many this order and caes
will not amend their lives demandingto be let aes
and another will not disturb the ystng order of things
tar correction is concerned This reversed order,
create, fear of disagreeable facts, shrinking from
the presence of truth it concerns ourselves ncr
ing gradually into Of all TRUTH and creating
love of gosses walls, aud decorated lies 1t leads
public to up disagreeabe facts, gloss error
filter TRUTH and compromise with wrong gain favor.
Why are reforms SLOW temperance reforms
social reforms? church reforms? national reforms
Because communities and society, public men, minis
ters journalists and statesmen, too reguen moral
towards. And what excuse for this? Who is to
blame? The blame vii. be found IN all ranks Society
is to blame The offering reward for time
serving, crlngng servility and pusanimous fattery.
rdptlon, every party hack, with pack OF ea9ueSS
his heals, commences war the renegade, and reads
him ont OF the party Is local corruption expos
ed, half the town is stopping subscriptions, withdraw
ing Advertisements or threatening to withhold votes.
Churches much to blame. Wealth and influ-
ence breaks Gods laws, and outrages morality mre
bukcd preaching that tickles the ear, pleascs the
fancy, and uiling the console says soul take thy
ease, Is at premium; while not uutrequentlg prac-
teal truth, truth that hits straight from the
S.r sad found oil
the land that bid high for the minister that
good terms with everybody, because he never pune
lures rotton soul and exposes corruptons but
they clamorous gtInsJ him. who following in the
footsteps of Christ exposes the purse proud Scshne>s
and hypocracy of cautn Scribes and Pharisees jour
nalists to blame Many editors and essayists
found. who, daring to mould opinion, parrot-ike
only echo otr nicS opinions, winking party corrup
tons, blinking popular vices and raising cry of
warning while thousands being hurried to untmel.
graves by appetite and passion. Shameful betrayer>
OF noble trust, such journalists deserve universal
eXecration.
Statesmen are to blame II they have not the self
pU and daring to brave the ire OF party nation
for the right aud with steady nerves strike harder as
the battle hotter compelling opinion out Of lis
ruts; if they crge and crawl gain shortved favor
they write their deeds IN water and record themselves
a. tTembling -ycOphanrs and -ervile dastards
The ministry Is 10 blame, and of all men should be
the most despis when they show moral cowardce
They the worlds moral leaders, and if the tIum
pets give uncertain sound who shall prepare him
self to the bate?' Grant that it is hard to be oppo-
sed, 10 lose the good will of men, 10 wage war on
wealth and influence, and be tainted with unp pularits
vet the minister claims fear God than men 10
follow Master who came TO bring sword'-a Mas
ser that forOids compromise; Who promises hrtw
around HIS servant all the power Of earth and heaven
WAC tells him to expect all manner Of evil, all kiudsof
lander and persecution yet commands him to fear not,
H. claims TO be called of God, Him and be
Inspired by HIM. If then, he shrink from danger, /
criu g to popular opiIol aad floating with the tide.
dead in honied words and rhetorical subterfHges spar
ing popular sin of al moral towards he Is the worst.
An ambassador of Truth, mt out by God and tie
Church. the morals Of the world be his study,
their reformation his work and fhe fail through craven
fear chat 1rordy shall describe tie Jaay Of his
arIireE"
But while there IS much very much of this coward
ice even where do believe it is so general
some assert. Tn thousands who put pr MUM
on independent thought There many noble, feat
less journalists whose opinions in the market
and who sw5N ed BY fear favor Politicians
class perhaps the greatest time servers, bet
there are indications that even among them moral
co rage is slightly on the increase. There is gro,
ing feeling that the churches must have poa-
tire voice in al REFORMS aud the real culture aud pie
~ of the Church are seeing the need Of on;
spoken ministry, and a making grand rally around
an independent pupt-a pulpit that will not cTnge
to wrong anywhere.
Yet it may be said that the great need Of the
hour is increase Of a1oIal courage Corruptions are
everywhere corruptonS fostering in all gla6es
of Society-pOitcal corruptons making politics
moral cesspoo, national aud religious corruptioas
Reforms are be instituted error is be dethrOned
and only men of moral courage do this" Men
who know the right and knowing dare maintain"