Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-03-20
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 20, 1916.
SHORT SERMON ON A SERIOUS SUB
JEOT.

EdUhl ohAmVu YIN n c10lVOp bOb-
JEOT.
II is believed that we did not in any
manner transgress the bounds of pro-
priety n abiding last week to the
course of our cold-water contemporary
in announcing the death of fellow
being with comments which outraged
the feelings of every person whose heart
throbs with charity for the weakness of
frail humanity. We attributed no mo-
tive, and intimated q belief that the
comments were more the result of
ihoughtlessness than design. The jour
nal devoted to theoretical philanthropy
does not, however, perceive the object
of our structures, and exhibits woful
ebullition of temper, and as climax of
inyectiye, its editor expresses the pious
hope that he may live to write our obit-
uaryl Heaven forefend, if it is to be
done in the bungling manner peculiar
to the Echo. We have no need of BIZ
ographer who cannot disenthrall him
self from the bigotry imbued in his ma
ture, or who is controlled by the crude
impressions resulting from a continuous
passage in a single orbit and does not
possess the ability to comprehend or
analyze the finer attributes of the soul.
We treat the subject in all candor,
and in the hope of awakening a spirit Of
self-inquiry with him and others who
grope along oblivious of the good there
is in the world, because it does not hap
pen to fall within the line of vision chosen
for themselves. They must learn that
professional piety amounts to nothing
unless its presence is exhibited through
kind acts and deeds of benefcence. We
do not quarrel with creeds. All alike
have our respect and sympathy, so long
as they are honestly maintained; and
the best religion appears to be that
which contributes most to promote the
happiness Of mankind. Charity SUBJ
scriptions do not always find the liberal
donors in one particular church, and it
has been observed that the most zeal
Gus promoters of good work are not
confined to any particular creed. In
fact we have found good, liberal and
honest men outside of the church-men
who would scorn to traduce the dead or
thirst for the blood of one who may un-
Intentionally wound by bis well-meant
criticisms. The greatest stumbling
block to the cause of righteousness has
been the minded and small
souled conduct of some of the loudest-
mouthed professors.
If the Echo wishes to achieve sue
cess in its mission, it must manifest
more righteousness. 1t must abandon
the use of the superlative degree of COM
parison, except when it is justified by
facts and circumstances, or it will not
only render itself ridiculous but defeat
the objectsit processes to advocate. We
do not believe its editor would have
published the Objectionable expressions
in the paragraph relating to Mrs. Sedge-
more, if he had not been guided by his
early orthodox training. We hardly
think he would have expressed desire
to write our obituary land doubtless at
tribute the end to beer-drinking) had
he not fallen into the use of the hyper
bolic land sometimes diabolic) express
sion which in ancient times constituted
the stock in trade of itinerant temper
ance lecturers.