The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-25

of Pittsford, Vt, Preached in the M E.
Church, July 16, 1876, by Rev. George A.
Barrett.
"a good name is better than precious ONT
ment; and the day OF death than the day OF
ones birth. '-Eccls Viii.
Character is a ruling force in the world,
whether we consider its impoIta lance to per-
sonal living, its worth to society, or its eff
feet upon national honor and dignity, char
acter is of inestimable value and eXerts an
active constant, vital influence upon hu-
man affairs.
BY the character man bears he must
stand or fall in the Judgment of the world.
His reputation may rise and fall upon the
breezes Of a chaDgeiul popular opinion,
what he does may be the subject OF com
mont snd "f ,"ar,i ur What he is can not
Standing true to his principles and bis con-
yictions Of duty ard right his character
remains untouched though men may play
with his record.
So, on the other hand, a mans reputs-
ton may be fair to unthoughtful observers
while his life is colored by questionable
virtuee, and i'll shapen and distorted pur-
poses make up his character, nor is mans
influence confined to the intimacy of home
and the social circle in which he moves.
Beyond these the force Of his life is felt,
leading and directing toward good or evil
courses.
The life of the state itself is moulded by
the silent but unerring power OF private
character 1t is this character of sterling
worth, tried by the events of worthy life
which solomon pronounces better than
precious ointment. He gives no support
TO the thought that a good name not sus-
tanned by worthy lite is of any especial
value
In order, then, to illustrate the worth of
ga good name ask you to consider.
1st, That "a good name tends to estab-
lsh confidence between man and man.
All the relations of life show law of
dependence. In the physical world, life is
everywhere dependent upon other organ
isms or upon outside forces. In no case
is growth possible from inherent forces
Every substance contributes Its part in one
way or another toward the existence Of
other substances. The sun, the air, the
winds and storms all contribute to the sup
port of life and lend their aid to growth.
The auxiliary forces of the natural world
will be found on every hand innumersble.
And when we turn to the relations and
business of life how dependent we are up
on each other. Take away this law of de-
pendence and the bond of social order is
broken, nor is there any substitute for it.
See how the capitalist depends upon the
| lahorer for a sal isiactory return for his it,
vestment and the laborer upon the capt.
| alist for the means OF support. The mer-
| chant, the physician, the lawyer, the cler-
| gyman, the editor,-all look to each other
| for the services which render society pos
| sble among men. Indeed the most strik-
| ing thing about our social life is this unver-
sal law of dependence upon each other,
| operating in thousand directions at once
reaching everywhere and touching every
| thing, gathering strength, and increasing
| its efficiency as knowledge and civilization
| advance. So by one unbroken chain all
| the doing and thinking of world are
| bound together. But take, now. one link
| from the cham and the whole is worthless,
| civilization degenerates to barbarism order
| and progress give way to anarchy and mis-
rule. What indispensable link in this chain
| of dependence is mutual confidence. Take
away the confidence we have in our fellows
and YOU remove the foundation of social
order Where there is no confidence there
is no faith, and without faith social life
even in name does not exist. When man
loses his faith in man that which renders
| life tolersble to him IS lost. But this con-
| fidence, the strength OF this faith in ones
fellows is dependent upon the character OF
the men with whom one deals. A trust
worthy character will inspire waning con-
fidence and start anew declining hopes
This good name which Solomon extols will
strengthen and render secure the bond of
union for men and society, when every
other resource fails. How readily men
turn with increasing hope and untiagging
interest when failure or adversely over
takes true and tried man. This trust in
man is enduring. The confidence which a
worthy life inspires when he has lived it
passes away is never failing source of
hope and joy. Though the life is finished
its influence lasts while loving hearts hold
the cherished name in fond remembrance.
Let us cling then with loving fervor to the
record of the good names gone before US.
Their value in Strengthening our confidence
and faith in mankind, and their aid in es-
tablishing our goings none can estimate.
2d, "a good name" tends to secure So
cial purity.
How to make pure the springs whence
come the morals of society, is no new ques-
ton. The sage, the legislator and the phil
anthropist have exercised their best vii
upon 1t. Theory, law and love have been
the much used and often abused forces EN-,
ployed in the solution Of the all absorbing