The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-09

life is a divine tragedy. Read, then, and
observe the career of the church in
these as well as PAST centuries. To-day
and in all days. the world crucifes GRIM
inals as well as Christs. To-day the
church, the mystical body Of Jesus, Suf-
fers. not because Of her holiness, but
because of her cross, iniquity. The
world nails the mystical body to the
cross of failure and the wounds of her
own sins are most ma fest.
VIII She look to 4 V others, but losing
herself? WIN she put life into her dog
mas? VIII she turn herself to the cry
ing OF the poor destitute or will she
leave her lawful work to the courts. the
congress. the mutual benefit companies
and the Salvation Army? The answer
Is not In my mouth
There is a wider extension of his
principle distinguishing between true
crosses and false. The majority of us
lind that he conditions In hich we live
and do our work are difficult, and every
year growing more so. 1t is useless 10
say that there is plenty of room at the
top. 1t is fallacious. The whole sky
Is open above the mountain top, but
the peak may be inaccessible
or be wide enough for only one man to
stand. This world is not in need Of
mountain climbers or Of many men a
the top. Its work Is done by the mil
lions. not by the few. The stability or
prosperity Of a people rests for one of
It's foundations upon q genera distri-
button OF its resources.
The paths to success should be open
to all. If in this country matters have
come to be different we suffer. Our sons
see no prospect in life beyond hat of a
clerk or employe. Fol- our labor we see
little to gain beyond subsistence. We
complain OF congress and courts, of
taxes and OF the arrogant power of
m~onopolies. Wa find life crucIfed by the
great world powers of the day, politics
and money. Are we altogether blame
less?
Life is. indeed, hard for many. We
are involved in the great sin of the peo-
pie, we cannot escape 1t. We contribute
TO the popular sins, and we zeal the
shame of It. Our own demands have
made the sweating shops and the tene-
ment-house system. Our own folly Gre
ates pauperism In this very community,
and pauperism begets crime. The Grim
inal and insane are the crime OF society.
The whole head is sick and the whole
heart faint. The communal sin Is ours
and ours must be the communal shame
and punishment. No ma after how, virtu-
Gus our individual life, If, by our own
neglect and seltishness, we have let leg
islation go astray In this country till
revolution comes upon us tomorrow or
the third day, do not let us lay the
agony of it 10 our goodness or TO Gods
omnlScience, and quote. Whom the
Lord loveth he chasteneth." as though
we were the chosen. Let us lay 1t TO our
own w~rong-doing. The crosses which
we American people may. In the coming
years. have to bear up the mount of our
social redemption are crosses richly de.
served by our civic sins and political
folly.
Many blameless individuals will suffer,
they cannot eNtricate themselves from
the national guilt and penalty. They,
too, must bear the sins Of many. You
and 1. who desire to live for our fellow.
men, to serve and uplift them. will alst
suffer. with the Tammany Hall and the
trusts, who live to serve themselves and
, be served of US. The right and the
r wrong suffer on Calvary together. Thu
: distinction is to be discovered In thu
I everlasting result. About that there
r Is no question In any mind here.
e Fol ourselves. 1t is left each one t
8 learn to judge himself Alright, and from
that Judgment TO work out his life worl
s In church n city, carefully, unselnsh
r ly. wisely and de~terminedly. We can
not be good Christians without beinl
good citizens. The philosophy of tn
cross. which Is the salvation of your lf
G and mine, Is also the only salvation o
the life Of a town or a nation.
Let us make sure in all cases that
is the Savior's and not the malefactor'
crosses which are laid upon our per
sonal and social life.
y Copyright, 1896, Newspaper Sermo
le Association, Boston. The right of put
Is LEGATION granted to all If credit b
given this paper)
8, r. HOrse Caterers-H q Cru o., ~ =.