The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-01
Justice.

zine last newspaper article of Rev. DR.. PIumer)
We read and hear much of the elements
OF good character. Some dwell much on
the cardinal virtues. One lays great
stress on prudence, another on modera-
tlon, another on courage another on
kindness, Perhaps due prominence is
seldom given to justice. In our view of
the character of the Most High. MANY
admit the great prominence due to equity.
right, justice. 1t is both absurd and
wicked not to believe God has a moral
government over the universe, and that
he will surely treat men according to
their characters, and in all things act
righteously. "Who would worship a
Being who remained an unconcerned
spectator Of what passes on earth, and in
whom is no retribution?" The gods of
the heather may we'll be without Justice
or any good attribute, but Jehovah is
perfect. He is neither stupid nor indif-
terent to mems characters and conduct
He abhors iniquity. Few will denv
these things. Then, too, we may see the
excellence OF Justlc as trait in Judge
or ruler. We shudder at the character
OF one f1llng such post and controlled
oy caprice, or favoritism, or sentimental
soitness OF character. without an inhex-
lole regard to the rules of eternal right.
But he must have had very narrow
range OF observation who has not seen
much misery produced by injustice in the
more private walks of life. I have seen
a school and neighborhood kept in a
terment all one winter by the gross in
justice of school-master to some of his
best pupils.
have seen the character of an anna
BILE child of good sense sadly damaged
by the lnvidous and unfair COMPARISONS
drawn by parent between her and her
younger sister. The apostle gives a
timely warning when he says, Provoke
not your children to wrath, lest they be
discouraged" There is but slight hope
OF forming any good character in fam
lily where the child has cause for saying,
II am not justly dealt with. / am
chided for things 1 know nothing of.
1t is OF no use to try to do right here"
People may tell others of their bad quail
tiles until practical despair of eyer ris-
ing to solid worth, or the esteem of the
good, has taken hold of the character,
and then it is ruined. The events of
subsequent life will not make amends.
have seen a poor, discouraged, but nat
urally amiable child married to a gen
tleman who was kind and even fond:
but her sadness was never removed
Some have for time seemed likely to
rise above the malign influence of early
life, but not one in ten has succeeded.
One of our poets has drawn sketches
of many a vile character. None of them
more completely fails to secure our es-
TEEN than he who with one hand pat a
penny into the urn of poverty, and with
the other took a shilling out" The
wretch supposed that by little charity
he could cover up great wrong. Nor
would the result have been different if
the injustice had been small, but known
and allowed, and the charity something
splendid In the eyes of mortals. Such
conduct is like the attempt of the SLAM
derer to blind his victim by flattery to
his face. 0, no; what reason and truth
require is justice frst-justice is foun-
datlon Of character. For this there is
no substitute. Then upon that basis
one may erect character harmonious.
beautiful, admirable. Such a character
fully formed shall be as the light of the
morning, when the sun riseth, morn
ing without clouds. But God and men
will oft prove it, and even bad men will
often IN their hearts give it the need of
a sincere though reluctant homage
Christian at Work.