Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-17
Religious.
THE LOVE OF PRE-EMINENcE.

THE LOVE OF PRE-EMlNENCE.
Every one loves to consider himself AS
differing in some way from ordinary NOR
tails We regard ourselves rs peculiar, as
being subject to impulses, rs suffering in
ways, that are not vouchsafed the generality
of mankind. Men exercise the greatest in
Senuity to discover grounds Of separation
between them and their fellows. Anything
to be marked, to he distinguished, to be
pointed atlas extraordinary in this or that
respect, we will enter.upon with energy.
This insane passion of the human heart is
so deep-seated that II enters the most sacred
relations Of life. so that even the disciples
while in the presence of the Lord were filled
with IT, "Who shall he GREATEST" was the
question whose dscordant discussion came
to the surface OH every occasion, even At the
time of the last supper. This lust for pre-
emnence was indeed the bane Of their life.
The church has followed their example,
each denomination claiming exceptional IA
cilities for divine intercourse Especially
will this he found IN the churches laying
claim to legality. Ecclesiastical legitimacy
processes TO have some special arrangement
whereby it can speak good word for It's Vo-
taries, and place them in more favorable
position for the attainment Of Gods mercy.
This all-prevailng love Of being distin-
guished extends into most trivial absurdities
| in human life Even in bodily excesses may
il find qualification; and in being the tallest,
latest, leanest strongest man, and in being
able to excel in gameslof bodily strength or
skill in playing and IN fighting do men take
delight
But worse than all the above, we take
pains to cultivate this form OF human jeal-
ousy In our youth. Wa appeal to it rs an in-
centiye for exertion among students We
give college prizes and honors to--not those
who are good scholars by some absolute
standard, but to those who will most excel
their companions. Envy and II lust of being
above our associates is an universal ground
of appeal in educational institutions. From
this comes worldly ambition, binding every
moral sense and leading to every enormity
From these come the most bitter ferns oi
hatred of the neighbor. And we may rest
assured that every one contributing towards
TINS cOnulllOu " IN NiNlHk W eh'
prevalence OF hell on earth, and rs giving
his mite towards iniquity and crime
If any one would like to contribute to the
good of society, IL nc would like to aid in
the overthrow of crime, and in the establish
ment of all that is noble and pure, let hin
begin here, for here is work that such car
do and which is near ut hand. Let MS al
identify ourselves with general humanity IL
its hrOadest and most genuine sense, W.
are all ordinary folks, and he who separates
himself from his brethren with the Motor
that in some spiritual way he is differently
regarded by the Lord, is falling in an insan'
, and hellish lust
But especially must we renounce human
envy as an incentive of action in self or 9th
. ers. Our conduct must be governed by on
> abilities and our duties TO the Lord and hu
nianity. A student should ask in determin
ing whether he has labored at his lessO
sufficiently, Have done my best, accOrdin
o to my ability and strength and the homes
a answer To this question should decide whetl
9 or he shall have learned it AS we'll Ms his fsl
: lows, or not. And this same law should NJ
4 ply to all other cases.