Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-05-08

Reform OF nation no less than the re-
form OF character must be evolved
from the personal conscious effort of the
individual, without which all legislation
and rules of life are utterly valueless. For
see the many changes continually taking
place around us. What is the general re-
suit ! They increase the power OF the
people and eradicate abuses sometimes.
hut no one viii assert with any great
confidence that they are conducive to
personal happiness. But rather improve-
ments IN our environment give broader
scope Tor our personalities and open uD
wider avenues for our collective energies
The true happiness comes when we ap-
propriate those means and fill them with
all the rich instincts and Clio rious talents
committed to us by Con, and committed
for no other purpose than that we should
use them to their fullest extent nd nlajOrem
gioriam Del. Then consider what an en-
tIrely new complexion life assumes when
we see it from such an elevated stand
point as this. What is the meaning of
these words of dull complaining which are
forever sounding in our ears making ex-
istence tedious as a twice told tale vex-
iHAS the tired ~ a droN~sv man.?
What prompts these bitter recriminations
against Con and nature, or caused the
blasphemous remark OF n so called phil
osOpher that lin the name of an out
ragged humanity he torgave Cop! Is 1t
not that with so mary other high
thoughts we have almost forgotten the
true relationship that is between the
Father and ourselves? Is it not that
we neglect some of the very clearest of
His laws both physical and mental? Is
it not that we place our own limitations
instead of broadening and rising until our
regenerated manhood touches the hem of
the garment OF God? 1t is so | think
The higher we ascend, the nearer we APP
pro ach the tranSfgured glory of divine
etiulgencc; and rs we enter into that
light SO does the morning dawn and the
shadows flee away. This idea | believe
your society understands for its first
three counsels OF perfection are
Friendship, Love and Truth,
On a former occasion had the pleasure
OF speaking to you on these three subjects
under theinterpretationo of Hero Worship.
Genuine Sentiment and the Will of the
Deity. Now i'll very brief manner
want to apply our text to these three
principles that our worship here may not
be void of practical teaching. 1t is not
good for man to be alone said COP and
truly we are social beings. The blessed
ness OF
Friendship
shown us in the instance OF David and Jon
athan is intensified and illumined by the
example OF Jesus Christ and His apostles.
Believe me we live but half a life unless
we find our higher satisfaction iu the
lives of others. He that loseth his life
shall find it, for no man can live unto
himself. would thatwe all might know
this and Understandings say ITO this
end was born and tor this cause came
into the world" And then
There is cry of distress or sight of
sorrow. There is the traveller on the
journey of life fallen among the thieves of
cruelty, GOODNESS, selishness and soul
| ~-.~~i.:..~ i'~L:.- - -~~.. d~es.:Ps:o".
He is lying by the wayside of a road
that leads to immortality; well we see
him in that condition and it is an un-
spoken appeal in actual words, but yet it
is the cry of thousand tongues, a wall
from every crushed faculty and oppor-
tunity of that mans nature that we
should help him. This is no picture of
my imagination, it is one of the most
vivid facts of life. What then is your re-
ply and attitude as member of this or
der? Surely, ITO this end was | born
and for this cause came Into the world"
You hel and assist, you fill up your own
capacities and thus fulfill the law of
Christ. Lastly,
Truth.
Under this word is comprehended all
| have said or might say. 1t is the truth
that shall make us free, because the truth
is the revelation of COP and one of the
attributes of His own mysterious Being.
| would you should think out the mean
ing OF this word for yourselves for its
depths are not to be guaged but by the
soul Well then in conclusion see how,
following the example of Christ and in
the hope of being made like unto Him
your society realizes mission and des-
tiny, viz: the dissemination of the knowl-
edge of mans essential oneness and cor
porate unity forasmuch as we are all the
children of GoD. Also i'll the expression
and presentation of this doctrine the in
dividual members are hidden by their
whole lives ITO keep down the base in
man, to teach high thoughts, and anna
bic words, courtliness and the desire Of
fame and love of truth, and all that makes
a man.
And so may GoD our Father guide and