The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-11-19
4 SELFISH NATURE.
10 Ono Should Work For Themselves
Alone, But EndeavOr to Aid AL

ID Ono Should Work For Themselves
Alone, But EndeavOr to Aid ALL
The temptation of selflshness is in
grained in our very nature. The neces.
stiles Of our life have tendency to
force Il into fuller view and develop Its
stronger activity. We must eat and
drink and dress, and these necessities
ot ours are also necessities Of every one
elise. Under present circumstances, 1t
seems q If the necessaries of life, to
say NO word at all of its comforts and
eleganceA must be made matter of
struggle and conflict, not only with the
stubborn earth and elements, but with
oar fellows So grows the grasping,
self-csntered, self-absorbed spirit,
which finds its expression in the
maxim 50 often repeated: 81 must look
alter myself" /, for my part, do not
believe in the necessity, since it was not
Gods design that we should thus pri-
marily and exclusively look on
oar own things. Our environment and
relationships, no less than revelation,
forbid it Nay, it is by these very
lshings rendered impossible Chat man
should 50 absolutely limit his vision.
So we perceive, the selfish spirit mis-
reads the design and law of God.
To the brute alone is it possible to
look only on his own things. The lion
may track and seize his prey, the SPUR
rel hoard his nuts, and the fox steal his
chickens on his own behalf merely.
but there are also many instances, as
of the beaver, the bee, the ant, in
which even brutes and insects, by the
very constitution of their nature, are
mutually helpful. The domestic ami
mails are still further subject to the law
that, to obtain, one must serve. Man in
his lowest state of savagery develops,
at least in rough outline. common
veal in which his own veal is involved.
When we reach civilized man, we find
fshis principle much further developed
The civilized man can make the most
far Aimsetf out of his capacities and op.
portunities only by serving others. The
farmer can acquire wealth only by pro-
ducing food for others. The writer can
attain position and money only by pro-
dnciRg what will instruct or amuse
1thers. The railroad companies lay
their tracks where they will serve the
largest number, and an inventor makes
money for himself in proportion as he
saves time, labor and money for others.
These may all do their work with q
>view, prim arily, to their own proper
enrichment; but they can not be sue.
e,essful without looking ''also on the
things of Others"
The Christian man attains a YET
higher level He does good with view
NOS to his own profit mainly, not to his
vwn profit at all, but to the profit of his
brethren. That is the highest possible
view to take of our life. 1t will tend
&c make us diligent in business, since
shat is the way in which God has ap.
pointed us to fulfil His will in things
physical and intellectual, to produce OF
Distribute the good that He designs fol
all 1t will make us diligent in more
purely spiritual duties, since we are sc
to make known and felt the riches Of
His grace.
Understanding these facts, we may
also understand and carry out the motto
Mot to be served, but to serve."-
Golden Rule.