Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-06-12
CONSISTENCY.
IFrom zks Waeerly PrSrea. by ]. l..
LoDsE, ID. D., Editor.

I
use Of words whose breadth OF meaning and
intensity of purpose are neither known nor
appreciated. What all allow TO be cardi'
nal virtue, few strive to exemplify or attain.
/ Perhaps the recognized difficulty deters
many frOm the attempt. Regard TO eternal
| principles is the first condition. Right never
changes; Justice never illustrates itself /;
truth admits no contradiction. A model
life could only be the product Of undeviat-
ing conformity 20 3 straight line OF action
mentally surveyed and marked out at the
beginning; approximate realization OF the
ideal might be attained through series of
corrections suggested and made imperative
by entrance into new light favored and ef-
fected through diligent and honest compari-
son, Investigation and adjustment, None
but a decided character can maintain con-
Sistency; but indecisiOn is itself the effect
| of doubt. So that q correct knowledge Of
what will endure crucial tests, what en-
bodies strength and gives forth help, what
will compensate temporary discontinue or
/ distress with ultimate triumph and reward,
lies at the very foundation OF course of ac-
ton not needing reversal or amendment to
satisfy the requirement of the highest and ho-
/ lieSt of laws. To do at one time what will be
done st another, and for the same reasons,
without respect to notifications whichdo not
| involve the essence of the question; TO re-
peat decision thousand times which was
proper when first rendered; to do the same
thing that is said; to be bound by the same
rule which it is sought to tix upon another
to illustrate in speech and action the princi.
| Piles profeSsed, either by personal declara-
ton or union and fellowship with declar-
ants of such opinions, convictions or belief /;
TO compass with the same kindness differ
ing classes mutually needy of its exercise /;
| TO vivify an abstraction with life-currents
which demonstrate their capsbility in ex-
preston; to shine constantly without the
slightest effort to prove that the lights toun-
tain is the Sun-theSe are among the ways
by which consistency is manifested.
Jewel that ii is, like all other jewels its
cost is always great, sometimes terrible.
Here those relied upon and relying on
themselves as loyal, frequently turn traitor.
Like dogs that set to watch their masters
gate,
Fall, when the thief is ev'n within the walls,
To worrying one another.
As it often cost life, in the days Of the past,
fear of death had been eliminated from the
minds of those able in trying times to win
consistency's peerless crown, coupled as it
was with the crown of martrydom. 1t has
oeen said of Mary, Pole, and Gardiner, that
To pay them full in kind,
Were but sort Of winter.
Yet this same Gardiner, the bloody execu,
toner of the bloody woman, apologizing for
his duplicity in the preceding reign of the
beastlY Henry, who, in lit Of disappointed
pride and passion, Illegally despoiled the
monasteries, despotically appropriated Cath
Ollie church property and forcibly made
England Prostestant, reminds Bonner that
In those times,
Thou knoweSt we had to dodge, or duck, or
die;
kept my head for use OF Holy Church.
Thousands in our day dodge OF duck to
save much less than their worthless heads.
The lovely Ephesian maid was given her
choice between Christ and Diana; on her
transfigured face was written her determi
nation.
At an apparently less but really
greater cost consistency is often purchased
"Friends" must be given up for principle.
What appears cruel is really kind. And
here, again, sympathy Is misplaced, and
Judgment enormously passed. Many are
disposed to condone the crime of multitudes
who recanted their Christian profession TO
save their lives in the prosecutions OF the Ro
man emperOrs, and TO excuse the Russian
Jews who are now compounding with con-
science in pretending to accept Christianity
to escape the fury of the inhuman brute now
autocrat of Russia No man, in these days,
in civilized countries, disputes the merely
legal, civic right of any to believe what he
pleases; but. surely, a mans religious belief
can be worth but little il not worth dying
for. The sympathy ought all TO be with
that man who is losing "Iriends," favor, per
haps fortune, because he would rather be
right and keep right than hold the sceptre
of a thousand kingdomsl The consistent
man necessarily stands isolated, often the
object of distrust and dislike. The superior
is too lofty to be despised; but the rabble
and the lower sort cordially hate an example
which rebukes themselves. The "bass and
treble" of the whole canaille open on him
like pack of yelping ours who would but
dare not tear him to tatters, The conflict
of emotions that then surge through royal
mind an archangel could not guage. Pity
mingled with contempt, humane desire TO
lilt the groveling mass, passing temptation
to give over the struggle to maintain contact
with pitch and yet keep himself from de-
Element or deterioration, in combination
move with might upon kingly nature.
Even to such the jewel will be dearly
bought.
The consistent man will usually be his
own severest critic, sitting in judgment upon
his own motives, purposes and actions. 1t
is never easy TO square practice with prin-
ciple. Seeing the right as in a vision, hold
ing the law in his right hand, the self.im.
posed task will be to bring into consonance
what he performs with what he thinks
Dearest hopes need TO be sacrificed, ambi
ton cruciiied, desires chastened or utterly
suppressed, a ceaseless striving against self
Courses begun will often require abandon
ment, a retracng of directions hitherto pur-
sued, and general reconstruction of plans
10 al A n nd
he has high aims and is human. How ne
cessary such lynx eyed watchfulness must
ever be t. man of pure intentions and ell
evated views is sharply brought out by con
| trast. At one time man, in moment OF
confidence, will reveal the alleged treach
| cry, or dishonesty, or hypocrisy, of another.
Time rolls on, and the qp0nddm confidant
is substituted by the hitherto accused. Or,
while still accusing, the alleged offender is
received on friendly, even confidential
terms. Men naturally ask each other, "If
this person be as represented, how can his
accuser make of him companion Do
true men seek thieves, traitors and hypo-
critics for associates y Verify, honest
men, as well as liars, ought 10 have long
memories 1t would help them to be con
| sistent Again, for "a while a man runs over
with enthusiasm for a cause, throws his
| soul into it, persuades others to help, and
predicts a glorious future. After while,
prompted by an over active Imagination, or
goaded by disappointed ambition, he turns
from the thought constructive to the wish
for ruin, and through disparagement or even
SANDER of its leaders and devoted workers,
undertakes to destroy what before he labor
| ed to build up Nothing of all mean things
is so mean as the rule or ruin spirit, yet moth
| ing is more common everywhere. Wecan-
not but wonder whether this class ever re-
fleet upon the contradiction between what
they now say and do and what they uttered
and acted in their friendly mood
The great value of consistency needs no
pointing out The saying is old and trite,
but its truth can never be blotted out, that
more hurtful to the church than all its other
foes combined is the inconsistency of its
membership. But evil example is deadly
in every case. 1t strikes into the very vitals