Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-02-27
TELL THE TRUTH.
The Power of Integrity as Shown
by Rev. Medium.
A Popular Discourse, From a study OF
which All May PrOnt-The Only
Path TO Success.

4 90
"Tne integrity Of the upright shall guide them
Integrity" said the preacher, "signi
lies incorruptibilty, soundness of heart
uprightuess. The man of integrity is al
ways loyal to his sense Of right. NJ
motive is sufficiently powerful to diver
him from the straight line of duty
money cannot purchase his consent to
wrong action. Ever true To his princ
pies, his actions aud duties are conson
ant chords that shiver to one note. WheI
duty calls him TO rise up singly in defense
OF truth and justice, he stands IN The
noblest subimiry of his moral character
The man of untarnshed integrity, in
order to preserve his innocence, may
render himself poorer in this worlds
goods, but in the placid delights of ar
approving conscience, he carries the
greatest wealth. Kossuth. the renowned
hero of Hungary, having escaped from
the pursuit of the COssacks. sought the
protection of the Sultan of Turkey. He
was offered safety, wealth and military
command on one coudition-that he
should renounce the christian religion
and embrace the doctrines of Mohammed.
To refuse this condition, so far as be
could discern, was equivalent to throw
ing himself on the sword of Russia. which
was already whetted for his destruction
yet with death itself frowning in his face,
the heroic KOssuth exclaimed. welcome
If need be, the ak or the gibbet but curses
on the tongue that dares to make me so
Infamous proposal To die loyal to
his sense of duty and Of right this he re-
garded as infinitely preferable to
life, honors and wealth, with violated
conscience. Here we have a
splendid illustration of the true
sublimity of integrity. True greatness
does not so much consist in doing extra
ordinary things, as in conducting ordina.
ry affairs with noble demeanOr and
from exalted motives. Jesus Christ has
taught us that single eye and pure
heart will make our way through this life
both safe and plain For a while good
ness may be abused, and virtue may be
temporarily eclIpsed but in the end the
receives the highest reward. 1t is of the
highest Importance that we early learn to
live in this world with steadfast perse
verance IN the path of uprightness.
The highest glory of a man is that he be
the abject slave of his own word when
that word is consistent with a good cons
science. Integrity is conversant with
matters of the least moment. No man
can be ackle and false in little matters
and yet remain trustworthy in concerns
of q higher range. There is very im-
portant sense in which it may be said
that there is nothing in life that is really
small. Every event is great for good or
evil because of the unfathomable myster
les that lie shrouded in the growth of an
immortal soul. Trifes make up exis-
tence, and we cannot maintain an honor
able standing single hour, if we pre-
sumo in the slightest degree to sport
with the law of veracity. On the highest
authority we are informed that to do
justice and judgment is more acceptable
to God than sacrifice. Outward Obli-
obedience. 1t is never allowed to sub
stitute the ceremopials of religion in
place of its substance. Israel of old
was taught by most painful proof how
much more pleasing to God is an upright
life than sanctmonious hYpocrite.
The man of pure conscience and ups
right character is the truly happy man.
A conscience void of offeuse makes
him undauntedly confident. put him
upon any trial you will. He is the slave
of no man and of no party. He eats his
own bread and wears his own apparel
With an unfaltering eye he can look into
the face of every man and challenge the
keenest scrutiny of all. His home may
be a shanty by the roadside, but to him
it is palace though struggling with
poverty he scorns to resort to any low or
unworthy method of advancing his own
interests. He is ever cheered and upheld
by the assurance that the consciousness
of integrity-the consciousness of duty
is the only thing worth striving for in
time. and the only ground of true rejoic
ing in eternity.
Cultivate, then, the loftiest integrity,
eschew all business lies. There are no
"white lies" All lies are black as sin.
Let no man make you the tool for wrong
an honest crust to dishonest banquet,
and that you hold your integrity dearer
than money, dearer than honors, dearer
than life. No man can nationally hope
to pass through the ordeals of life in
safety, unless his outward virtues derive
vitality and vigor from an inward reIig-
ious life. True and undefiled religion,
then, must be the first object of your
pursuit, if you desire to wear the orna>
ment of an upright character. Place
yourselves, therefore, in the hands of
Christ. Let his power be your depend-
ence, His grace your strength. Thus
shall your moral sense be keen and clear
and your integrity of the purest, most
permanent and unyielding character"
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A western editor has spent six years
writing book entitled, How TO test
glue" An easy subject to stick to; out
in the preface he says however he knows