The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-03-31

the general laws passed by the Legisla-
ture of 1881, the common observermust
be impressed with, the nasty and in
considerate method by which these laws
have been enacted.
Space will not permit even a general
criticism, for the blunders are too many,
but the people of Minnesota would have
cause to rejoice had the whole batch
been burned in the Capitol fire. The
usual tinkering with the intricate and
irexplicable tax law was matter of
course, for the blank book publishers
must he supported. We now need Phil
adelphia lawyers for taxing officers, and
even they must fail to follow the incon-
gruous labyrinths with the confused di.
rections. OF these legislative enact
ments more anon.
But it looks little doubtful to
Blackstone student that most of the
many amendments passed, are made,
not to any statutes of this State, but to
certain sections and chapters in q book
known AS General Statutes of lS78,"
which wis not enacted as the statutes
of Minnesota, but merely made by law
primo facie evidence of the acts therein
contained. These amendments passed
by our solons, would seem to be only
amendments to the book of evidence of
the laws, and not to the laws them
selves; but of this perhaps we shall have
to wait the decision of the five judges.
LEX SCR1PTA.
STUD1 OF THE OLD MASTERS.
No. vi.
LAW
Nature respects man in the same de-
gree that man respects Nature. This
was taught by the Old Masters by al
legory and action. Such is also learned
in any age, by all who will carefully
and energetically study allure, with
out prejudice.
Nature is no respecter of persons;
we'll did the great teacher of the New
Testament" know this and teach it.
Law, Natures ever-present police.
regulates tile being of all. Not a sim
gle act nor thought but is known and
rewarded by it. Not the least in the
| universe can escape its observation;
not the greatest can override its de-
crees. Interchangeable and unforgiving
it is stern parent and Il hard master to
the disobedient. TO crown the anguish
Of the rebel, the mark of Cain is put
upon him, that all may know him DISC
bedient.
Are these hard lines? Do those sl,ud-
der who dare drop prejudice and vain
wishes, and look at bare facts? The
mark of Cain is in our midst. Can any
one see it OH his neighbours brow?
Dare you see it on your own? Few
there he who so in thereat.''
Many a one, willing to acknowledge
himself sinful, owning to sin in the ag-
gregate, flares in anger at one item.
Prone to generalize on the sinfulness of
man, he pays all too little attention to
the sins of this man; he locks for a
mediator to step between HIM and his
! punishment and-bear his punishment.
Poor coward!
How perversely blind arc those who,
| suffering the penalty of sin. of disobe-
dience, call it the purifying 10y fire"
| and look upon the suffering us i neces-
| sity i'll attaining u higher life. If there
be no droSS to burn away, publication
by tire is not necessary; and we make
our oWn drOss.
Misery has numerous victims, and
each mark OF suffering is but the mark
Of Cain. Not Il twinge of physical
pain, not a pang Of the heart, not one
mite Of spiritual suffering, but is a
mark of disol,edience.
Oh man, salve net yonr vanity will.
the junction. Of ''prubation.' Think
not that your sufft ring is but to pre-
pare you for a distant ''kingdom.' 1t is
the results, the direct consequence OF
sin. THE rain falls on the just and
the unjust the good suffer with the
evil, because each is i part Of the great
Whole. Let 4 pin prick the finger, and
the whole body will feel the pain; the
most sensitive part feeling it most.
Let one do wrong. and the effect goes
to the uttermost bounds of the uni
verse. The m st sensitive feeling it
most. So fine is Natures nervous sys-
tenn the slightest act is telegraphed to
the whcle body. If a righteous act the
body rrjoices; if al evil one Nature
struggles III pain to heal the wound.
If we, III our journey of progress,
wander out Of the way, we drop behind
in the race, and never catch up to where
we would have been had we gone
straight. Thus our punishment is eter-
nat. Here you can see the ,mpossibili-
ty of forgiveness. Tie strictest JUS
tice is the greatest mercy.
For a while the heart may ache at the
demolition of it's air-castles; for a while
We may cling to our idols of supersti-
ton, to our far.away '.iouse not made
with hands, yet that house will lie
just as beautiful when we see it here,
as the misty view affair off. When the
great Truth fully dawns upon our
minds, that We are a part Of Creative
Nature, and share in the grand work of
creation, then may we see truly how we
are accountable for what we are. Then
we may k,ao,c the grandeur of our being
and ehlisting ourselves, in the wo,k of
progress, realize the words of the great
Teacher "Y e are gods" Being obedi-
ent. the scales will fall frt m our eyes,
and we will see rs we are seen, know
rs we are known. Then shall we know
the Law friend, a c. m;a,ion with
whom we may converse At any time;
never way ward, never morose, but a
cheerful loving help, upon whom we
may Gail without fear Of firing.
Twenty centuries ago We were taught
this. For twenty centuries we have
been lmploring reversiOn Of this Law.
For twenty centuries we have neglected
our duties and have given our tine to
vain. formal supp|ications and the re-
suit is misery. Can we not see the
failure ct this ask ng special i, terven.
ton Ut Providence to shield IS from
the consequences of our disobedience?
Let us turn our attention to Obeying
this Law. That the change can come
suddenly, is not possible. Minds have
been so long warp d that it will take
time to make the crooked straight.
| First seek the ripht ..soi1 fIn 70, .,l,I,. ;,