Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-11-18
No Ground for Despair


| From The Waperley Progress, by j. l..
LODGE, d. d., Editorl
Many who diligently cultivate the virtues
constantly write bitter things against them
selves, judging their state by severer rule
than the great Judge applies. Encourage
ment arises in the recognition by the Bible
of the fact that humble attachments in
plous life are not to be despised. If it be
matter of rejoicing that the path of the just
is to take on er-augmenting brilliancy, it
is cause for thanksgiving, and the ground of
much comfort, that at the very beginning of
the way the existence of some light is the
certain prediction of the oncoming perfect
| day. Present imperfection in virtue must
not suppress thankfulness for such advance
ment as has been made; but stimulate to
increased endeavor, in accord with divine
promise and prescription. Acquaintance
with life in a few of its aspects serves to
teach us, in the same voice with inspiration,
that there is none good but one, that is
God"
But while in its absoluteness nothing can
be more evident, yet relatively it is possible
that men may deserve the epithet, and pro-
duce in the minds OF others the conviction
OF their desert, AS there is nothing abso-
lutely true but heaven, and nothing I'M
character of God, so essential goodness is
residentiary in no other than him. But the
ultimate design of mans creation was that
he should resemble as closely as possible
the great Creator, and even the fall did not
nullily nor change the incumbent duty and
| granted privilege of approximation TO the
model of perfection set for the copy of men
and angels. The sun is not angered that
even the least of the stars should emulate
his brightness, and in some feeble degree
become an imitator in the performance Of
his chief function, that of giving light to his
sister world. The moon hangs out her
argentine banner with none the less grace,
nor drives her glistening chariot along the
pathway of thousand worlds with less of
stately glory that the soft light which ir-
radiates her dark form is the kind loan of
iraternal globe.
Imperfect virtue need not, therefore, be
ashamed because it may not hope to vic in
luster with original perfection, nor despair
OF accomplishing praiseworthy designs be-
cause 1t must not yet aspire to flame Of I'M
sullied excellence Types and degrees Of
goodness may offer, with native modesty,
and even to the casual observer, such fea-
lures as will seldom fail of charming, and
as will, through a noiseless influence, stamp
their own character on each object reached.
II is quality that the vulgar and the vicious
do not readily discern, because its two.fold
character-passive and active, subjective
and bjective-opposes ii to their baser
views of human life and human kind.
Goodness, like the unpretending lily, more
beautiful in its simplicity than the wise and
oPulent monarch of proud nation, oft
grows in shady dell, where the feet of ad-
miring beholders seldom, If ever, stray and
though glistening with a thousand dew.
drops of grace and glory, covets not the
laudatlons OF the passer.by. Indeed, 1t is in
such secluded spots that this flower taken
| from the bouquet of graces in the hand of
God, and loaned to earth to bloom awhile
and cheer immortal spirits, most delights to
shed its fragrance, a holy offering to the
| pure in heart and humble.
There is goodness which is passive
There is true goodness in smile, a look, a
gesture. Heaven speaks through mouth
which utters, as the abundance of the heart,
golden thoughts born in heaven and heav
en- looks forth from eyes that beam with
heaven light. There is goodness which
is active. 1t goes forth bearing seeds of
happiness which, flung from gracions
hand, spring up in human souls and bring
forth fruit after their kind q thousand fold
IL scatters unnumbered blessings over the
paths that worn and weary feet are wont
to tread, strewing more valuable than orient
pearls, and planting roses on the highways
OF the world which feast the eyes of an
gels. A day of deeds so dispensed Ia one
stone of the beautiful temple of virtue,
whose base is on earth, whose pinnacle tow
ers into heaven. Not little child but may
help to build a universal monument to good
ness. No condition so obscure but vir-
tuous life shall illuminate name, none so
nh A., &. al..l
cious deeds of goodness shall Irvine garlands
of immortelles round honored and triumph
ant heads.
Such living fits for membership in the
throng that were washed in blood intro
duces to Gods presence, and ends in casting
crowns at his feet and beholding the King
in his beauty Therefore, let not those who
are conscious of having made less progress
in virtue or religion than their privileges
permitted rashy conclude on this account
that their profession is spurious or their
efforts vain; but let them rather cultivate
this dissatisfaction as being at once tile seal
OF their regeneration and the prophecy of
larger possessions in the time TO come.
Grand Democratic Jubilee. Grand
Democratic Jubilee, under the management
of the Democracy of Germantown, BOyd's,
Dawsonvlle and surrounding country, will
take place on Wednesday, 23d instant.
The procession will form and be supplied
with torches at Germantown station, where
it will meet Gen. McKaig, our victorious
leader, and escort him, with brass band, TO
Boyd's, by way Of Old Germantown.
At Boyd's grand bonfire will light up
the skies and speeches will be made by Gen
McKaig, W. V. Bouic, Esq, and others
Good things will be served.
Mr. John +. Benson will be Chief Mar
shall; Simon ID. Best, X. l.. IIickerson, Chas.
ID. Brink, H.. ID. Vinson and Clark Galliher,