Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-11-15

,,rcrattonaI church, Ellsworth, sunday evening
Nov II, 1884, by the pastor, Rev. ID. l.. lale.l
THE MORAL SENTIMENT OF A CoMMU-
NIFTY, AND HOW TO ENFORCE IT.
Let us clear the way into our subject
tonight by few definitions and distinc-
tions.
Sentiment in its best forms is nothing
more than settled opinions or principles.
And it is moral whenever it relates to
duties, or obligations to God, or society,
or self.
The moral sentiment of a community,
consists really OF the sum OF the moral
sentiment Of its individuals. That is, it
il the sum OF all the moral opinions and
principles held by the people. The real
moral sentiment of community is
seldom identical with what is called its
public sentiment, which is partial and
superficial. The real moral sentiment OF
any community is vastly more than is
evident to any except the most thought
fnl- careful observer. | want to mark this
distinction: That what is recognized as
the public moral sentiment of commu-
nity is almost always partial, superficial,
and caused by few leading spirits. The
real moral sentiment being simply the
sum Of that held by the people considered
as individuals, which is not apparent
because not expressed
The moral character of a community Is
fashioned by the moral sentiment in
action. That is, opinion and principle
a con
munity of 100 persons, the moral senti-
ment of which on gambling is ninety
against. ten for. The character of that
community depends not only on its moral
sentiment but its will II the ten insist
on gambling publicly, and the ninety do
not move against it, the character OF the
community is gambling character.
Mechanically considered it stands thus:
Moral sentiment 10 for, 80 against. But
the will of the ten is so much more than
the will of the ninety that the sum total
of sentiment and will places the sum of
character in favor of gambling. And the
community may be designated AS gam
bling in character because the gambling
characters sentiment plus will-actually
nredominates This explains what |
mean by saying that the moral character
of a community Is fashioned by moral
scutim cnt in action.
The reputation OF n community i very
similar to its character. 1t Is simply
v hat men say and think about IT, The
estimate which is formed of Il. The
character attributed to il. 1t is similar
to character because it Is the recognition
Of sent iment in action. 1t docs not
always correspond 10 the actual character
because the observation may be faulty or
prejudice may influence the conclusion.
am sure TINT ali Of IL, recognize the
fact that
THE MORAL SENTIMENT OF \ COMMUNITY
Is \ MOST IMPORTANT THING.
But | am confident that we do not
begin TO understand how important 1t Is,
or What u ace il hold, in civilized society.
Our definition has shown It's funda-
mental place in the character OF com
MUMMY. As it Is increased 1t becomes
capital for the character OF the com
muuity. The teacher and the preacher
add H. it He who decreases II Is an
enemy of the community rs much as the
r0bhrr " no plumbers the bank. Nothing
else can take its place. II has been put
10y God in its position, and shall stay
taare while the world endures he
moral sentiment of a community Is the
foundat ION OF the character of the com
munIty, This includes, of course, the
business dealings which are based on
duties and obligations to other business
men and to society. Business dealings
are carried on according to moral or
immoral sentiment. In view of its funda-
mental position in character, the i'm
portance of moral sentiment can hardly
be over estimated.
The same is true OF moral sentiment
when considered in relation to the rep
utation of community, for reputation
is noth hing more than character as seen
and estimated and talked about. This Is
practica though. for every man who has
a dollar invested, or a home to continue,
or child to leave in any community.
The character and reputation OF the com
munity bear directly on his dollar and his
home and his child. Outsiders invest IN
community according to its character.
Desirable money capital Is SLOW to come
to communities that lack an increasing
reputation and character capital. While,
on the other hand, Il community with Il
character that is sterling, attracts de-
sirable money capital from all sides.
But not less in Importance Is the
relation moral sentiment sustains to the
enforcement Of law. Reformers ought to
recognize this more than they do. The
strength of law is moral sentiment.
There may be here and there com
munity where there are few men OIL such