The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-08
RELIGIOUS READING.
LEADERS sHoCLp LEAD.

Is there sufficient realization, on the
part of educated men, of the duty they owe
to the community? There are times when
one cannot help feeling that there Is great
room for improvement In the matter. Ine
temptation to demagoGism is occasionally
very powerful and is not always resisted:
The people clamor for leaders who Will lead
them in the way they want to 60. 1t Is
sure and easy way, to popularity to note note
which way the mob is rushing and put ones
self at its head. Then no name Will
he so loudly sounded as that OF the man
who exhibits such ability to read tine
signs of the times" who IS so completely
''abreast of the age Fame, office, ana
money are at the command Of him VINO
masters this trick of seconding tho wishes
Of the multitude. 1t is not, then, very SUR
prising that many who know better, and are
fitted for something higher, should fall into
this snare OF the evil one and lend them.
selves to this low business. 1t is thus that
those who might have been statesmen be-
come mere politicians those who might
have been prophets Of righteousness become
preachers in prominent pulpirs, those who
might have been molders Of public opinion
become echoes of the gabble of the streets.
1t is a sad degradation, whether on the
part Of minister, editor or candidate for Of
dee. He who by his training has become
IL
questions of the day is traitor to his trust
ii he permits himself to humor the foibles,
and cater to the tastes, and CRAFTY the
whims of the populace. Where self-interest
clamors, and prejudice growls. and passion
RACES, it is his business to stand upright
and firmly say No" He must not
lower his standard for the sake Of pleasing.
He must not cease to teach truths that are
needed, because they are unwelcomed. he
must not for a second listen to the sugges-
ton that his reputation must be considered,
and that he can do more in the long run by
partly humoring the crowd SO as to keep In
with them and thus prevent them from
doing as much mischief as they would If led
by the other fellow. His first duty is to
truth-that is to God, that is to his higher
self. Not otherwise can he have respect or
acquittal at the bar of his conscience. Not
otherwise can he be safe from going swiftly
down from one low level to another, and
yet another lower still. What is education
for If it be not to enable man who has had
these superior opportunities, who has sur
veyed the range OF history, who has been
trained to think things through, to
correct the natural. necessary errors
of the unframed? They have
right to expect him to deliver them from
themselves, even as children have at the
hands of parents. And though for time
they may be enraged at being checked and
thwarted, their sober second thought and
the judgement of the future will vindicate
him. But whether he be eventually vind1-
Gated or not, If he be true man, it will not be
Win him matter of much consequence.
He must do his duty. let come what will.
Current fallacies he must correct. He must
stem the tide, not swim with it. This will
be the impulse of every right-thinking,
truth-loving man in whom the heroic spirit
ourns. Not for pelf or power will he turn
aside from the straight path. Alas! for
that nation where such citizens are few.
Happy the country. happy the church. in
which this sentiment considerably abounds !!