Middletown transcript., 1897-10-16

older than the time when Christ pro-
claimed it. He declares that sit is The
Law and the Prophets" In Other
words, the teachings of Moses and the
other Prophets may be reduced to this
1t is, indeed, of eternal significance
for it is in exact accordance with the
character of God Himself. the law Of
whose mouth is acknowledged by the
Psalmist to be ''better than thousands
of gold and silver"
Its equity is self-evident. 1t has
stood the test of too many centuries to
be called into question in our own age
which boasts so much Of its liberality
and enlightenment.
This universal appreciation is, how
ever, one of the greatest perils beset-
ting its fulfllment. We SO commonly
assent to righteousness, that we are in
danger of supposing that, because we
all believe it, all of US are, therefore,
living by it.
But we need not look very far to see
how ill-grounded is our charitable pre-
sumption.
Is it doing to others as we would
thaG they should do TO US when We lie
to them, causing them to put their con-
fidence in what is but sham or DECEIT
when we overreach them in. trade or
politics, taking advantage of their art
Iessness or ignorance to advance our
own interests at the expense of theirss
Are we carrying out the Golden
Rule when We indulge in gossipy or
scandalous talk concerning our neigh
brs and their affairs, publishing what
was meant for our ears only, Civ
ing currency to what has not been
proved, and passing judgment upon
such as have not had the opportunity
Of trial or denialP
Are We egarding this maxim when
we enter their households and seek 10
wean away affection from them, plant
ing ourselves in their steadp Or when
to our own evil associations and practi-
ces we endeavor to gain over one or
another Of their famillesP
Isit in keeping with its spirit to re-
fuse to our fellows the credit and hon-
or due to them because Of their words
or deeds, we in the meanwhile appro.
priating such praise to ourselves?
And what shall be said of the wide
spread habit of misrepresenting-
whether wilfully or only carelessly--
the real sentiments and actions OF
others; declining to allow them any
meaning but that which we ourselves
choose to put upon them, while we
claim to be judged solely by our OWL
intentions and purposes2
How inconsistent, too, to be coVet-
ously boarding our own time, and tai.
ents aud money, while we urge others
to expend and be. spent of theirs freely
And who can excuse that incidence
and hypocrisy which will impose re-
sponsibilities upon, and require great
deeds, from our brethren, and yet will
refuse to cooperate diligently in dis
charging and performing them.
Surely, all this is transgression OF
the Golden Rule. Until we are inno-
cent of such and such like offences, il
is insincere in US to say that we be.
lieve in it. To believe in it, is not to
obey it, although it may be the first
step towards its fulfillment. While,
therefore, its Interpretation may need
but little to be said about 1t, we do re-
quire that its enforcement should be
insisted upon frequently.
And I have thought that the duties
it imposes upon the world might form
a fitting theme for our present occa-
sion.
For many years 1 have been mem
ber OF that ancient aud honorable order
whose members have kindly invited me
to address them at this time. During
my connection with it, l have been ar
attentive observer of what l have seen
and heard. Unless l have very muct
misunderstood It's symbols and doc
trines, there is hardly anything which
Is as prominently enioined upon it,
members as this very Golden Rule.
It meets US at the very threshold
for in acting upon the application O
one seeking admittance into the order
his merits are to be canvassed as our
were canvassed. He is to be elected o
rejected strictly upon the principles o
equity and charity.
In his entrance into the lodge, b
experiences no inspection, nor obstruc
tion, nor requirement which we our
selves did not undergo, and whicl
would not be eaacted impartiaIly o
every candidate.
And so at all the subsequent step'
which he may take in obtaining fur
ther rights, privileges and mysteries
there is no distinction for or agains
any one. All are made to realize, by tn
common treatment they receive, tina
as they would that men should do Il
them they ais are to do to men like
wise.
This same consistency would be still
more evident X one were at liberty q
repeat in public the oashs and obliga
| tions belongi. g to the different de