The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1888-03-07
alton.

Essay read 5efore Tie Sko,ctegau Grange.
by S. =. Emerson.
Tie meaning of compensation, accord
ing to Webster, Is to recompense, and re-
compense is to repay, and repay is to pay
back again. The highest authority says
that The same measure that ye mete
with all shall be measured to you again.
There is universal law connected with
this that holds good and may be depended
upon in all places, under all conditions,
you cannot climb over 1t, nor run around
1t, nor dig under it, you must meet 1t and
acknowledge its force. Nature In her
wide and varied workings plainly teach
us this fact. The great ocean receives
from the vast river channels of the earth,
and from the drifting clouds above, a
constant supply of water; but the ocean
must recompense the earth again, through
evaporation and rainfall, the same that il
receives. There is no cheating here no
evasion of this universal law you can ap-
| ply this law to the nations of the south
and find the unerring results. The water
/ that fosters and encourages oppression
and tyranny. that grinds its subjects un
der the iron heal of despotism, will some
time in its history be made to feel the
| Justice of this Divine law. National de-
generacy always begins when right and
justice cease to lead, and it always will
righteousness eXaltcth a nation but sin
is a reproach to any people" \ nat on
cannot, therefore, crush and wound and
destroy without suffering the penalty that
is sure to follow. For more than two
hundred years this fair land of ours hug
ged to its bosom deep, dark crime. 1t
required four long years of mighty war
fare, of terrible agony and suffering, with
the long train of sorrow and trouble that
followed as Il rccompcnse for the wrong
we had done.
Because we harbor and foster the saloon
and the brewery and willfully and inten-
tonly set at naught this Divine law that
is over us, we, as people, suffer Look
at the ruined homes; at heart broken
wives and mothers; at suffering, poverty
stricken children, and account for it in
any other way, if you can, Nations are
responsible for permitting and licensing Il
wrong and becaus they do this the people
pie suffer. 1t is but the carrying out of the
law of compensation; the paying back
again of that which was metcd out,
But we turn from nations to the indie
vdual And here again we are met by
tiilS rulHc law. IL COnllOuLs U.S. COiitS
into our homes; into our business rela-
lions; into our very lives, had we have to
acknowledge it, though we may deeply
regret that it is so. You cannot do harm
to yourself without suffering the peraty.
And no matter whether you inlet this
harm Intentionally or accidentally, you
must suffer just the same. Tens of thous-
ands are suffering to-day broken down,
mr.. tttt. t,t. "A all al hy n
sary exposure; by too fast living, or by
constant oyerwork and worry and trouble,
and everyone of them are simply paying
the penalty that they are obliged to pay
for disregarding the laws of their being.
But you say that many of them, even the
worst of them, are absolutely obliged to
overwork tn bear exposure and to meet
worry and trouble. That may be true,
but it does not suspend Tor II single
moment the working out of the law of
Compensation. The debt has been CON
tracted and must be paid.
Is you desire premature old age, bent
form and wrinkled brow and Il sad dis
consulate heart, all that you need to do Is
to disobey this Divine law that is over
you; find fault with everybody and every
thing; act as though ever one was an
enemy to you and you propose to pay
them back in tbeiI own coin; reach out
after the world and the last dollar that
you can wiring from it, and be very care
full that you do not help any body, nor aid
in any public enterprise, nor seek in any
way to lift humanity higher, and you will
surely have your desires gratetied YEN
gence is mine, | will repay, saith the
Lord"
If on the other hand, you earnestly de-
sire to make the most of this life that has
been graciously given you for high and
exalted purpose; 1t you wish to ultimate
ly reach the grandest possibilities that
can come to noble manhood and woman
hood, then regard the law of the most
High. "seek the greatest good to all,
think highly of your associates and priv
lleges that tend to good, learn to forget /
and forgive learn to recognize the rights /
. others, and your Compensation will |
be higher, a grander, Il better life.