The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-12
THE GREATEST OF THESE Is CHARITY.

but that which looks with tolerant eye upon
frail and sinful humanity is held to be a most
righteous attribute. To be able to contem-
plate the faults and follies of men without
casting off with contempt the one who has
succumbed to temptation, is declared by pre-
cept upon precept, to be a divine gift which
all should seek 1t is not new lesson; it was
taught by one greater than the moral ipstruc-
tors of this day and age 1t is old and trite yet
properly enough, perhaps, it is a subject
harped upon at all times and seasons and is
forever reappearing in unexpected forms.
Repetition is needed doubtless; nevertheless
it has happened that with much telling such
variations, additions and illustrations have at
taehed to the original text that it has become
somewhat difficult to separate the simple les
son once taught by the Master from the re-
vised and elaborate doctrine laid down by the
modern teacher Once this form of charity
was understood to mean that comprehension
of temptation which, though not excus-
ing the sin, should forbid utter condemna-
ton of the tempted and fallen. Now it
goes by the name of liberation; but liberation
has come to have wide significance. To be
tolerant is urged upon priest and layman as
their bounden duty, until the lines which
mark the limit where charity should cease
and denunciation begin are vague and blurred.
To forgive the sinner is Christlike; to make
much of the offender and to look with indul-
gence upon the sin is another matter, but the
distinction is apt to be overlooked. The man
brave enough to 90 back to the first principles
of purity and justice in his treatment of what
has come to be certain popular evils, is met
with the accusation of being intolerant and
bigoted. Intolerance and bigotry are two bug
bears which have frightened many man from
uttering his convictions. Rather than en-
counter these opprobrious epithets they keep
silence, or cater to what they conceive to be
the popular demand by virtual admission
that black is white The result is the growth
of f1abby moral sentiment in the com
munity and corresponding weakness of that
instinct which leads to right living. 1t is
liberation and charity which is simply an
encouragement of vice.
No one element of society is alone to blame
for this perversion of Christian principle; peo-
pie, press and pulpit are all guilty. On the
latter, however, in its position of censor and
moral guide, must be laid the heaviest respon-
sibility
AS an instance of the general looseness of
principle and tendency to excuse vice may be
mentioned the case of a well-known actor
He fails to play his part on the stage because
Of mental and physical prostration, and forth
with the wires are burdened with accounts of
his condition What he says and does, what
his prospects, are heralded far and wide as
matters of the greatest Importance. Elk
pressions of sympathy from distinguished
friends are quoted, and the tears of more or
Jess dubious women are not omitted, indicat-
ing as they are supposed to do, the stricken
mans popularity. Reporters and correspond
ents vie with each other in treating the affair
with delicacy. Not one but is aware that he
is a victim of dissipation and debauchery but
this fact is CLOSED over or treated as one of
stage, and in no way impairing his right to
the most solicitous attention and regard from
the public.
That his friends are right in giving him
every care and thought in their power is not
for moment denied that is their own affair."
1t is the holding him up before the public
rather as martyr than sinner which is com
planned of He need not be gibbeted before
the world as victim of gross self-indulgence
perhaps; but neither should he be apologized
for in the weak way which is half defense
and is certainly not calculated to warn others
from following in his footsteps but rather the
reverse. Whatever the mans personal. in
huence may have been this veneering process
adopted by his friends is infinitely more harm
full Touching upon his frailties only to ex-
cuse them, is a mistaken kindness to him, and
can only encourage the many youths who look
from afar upon great actor or other promi-
nent man with admiring gaze, to do likewise
1t was not enough, however, that the news
papers should thus embalm weak mans
faults, but the pulpit must assist A New York
preacher last Sunday made this actors illness
the occasion for an Endorsement of the stage
The pulpit has no quarrel with the stage 50
long as the latter is properly conducted; but
the stage has assuredly rightful grievance
against the pulpit which lauds it's most UNI
worthy representatives. Certainly it was I'M