The Republican journal., 1898-11-03
LOCAL PRIDE.
sermon b, Rev. j. VI. Leighton at the Uni
tartan church. Belfast, Oct. %, 1898.

sermon by Rev. j. VI Leighton at the Uni
tariii,, church. Belfast, Oct. 49, 1898.
The subject of local pride hold to be
of sufficient Importance to engage our
thought even in church Oh Sunday morn
ing, because whatever involves the welfare
Of the community is worthy of contem-
platlon III our most serious moments and
most sacred places. All subjects bearing
upon the general welfare have moral sig
nitcanee, and in their moral aspects leli-
gion also Is concerned, not remotely, but
intimately, and that fact justifies us in
employing a Sunday morning hour now
ard then il gle effort to awaken a deeper
interest IL matters of local importance
Pride occupies prominent place in the
old catalogue of deadly sins. pride,
says an old Hebrew proverb, "goeth be
fO1e obstruction" The word occurs
about fifty times in the Bible and invali-
ably as tenn of reproach. 1t is synony-
nous with vanity, haughtiness and self
conceit Very rarely in literature is the
wold used in any other than its bad sense.
Yet it has its laudable significance There
is a proper and worthy pride which is
more than naughty assumption of su-
periolity of birth or station: more than
love OF display; more than arrogant self
conceit. There is proper pride which is
the antthesis of contempt for things be-
meath lis level, which is superior to in
difference and neglect. 1t fosters things
beautiful, and becoming, and charitable
Negatively II is repugnance of things an d
conditions ugly, untidy, unbecoming and
lnCOhVenent Pride and self respect are
near Of kin. Public spirit has an element
II pride in it. Beauty, orderliness, good
taste, cleanliness, convenience, all are
pride's subjects. When We see an estate
with buildings in good repair, grounds
We'll cared ion, and showing evidences of
good taste, We say the owner takes pride
in the Appearance of his place When we
see the opposite, an estate showing every
evidence Of neglect and disorder, We at
tribute it to lack of proper pride When
We entel city o. village for the first tire
the tlIst thing we notice is its outward ap-
pealanoc. We are favorably or un1avor-
ably impressed by the condition of its
private estates, It's public Institutions, its
thoreu9hfareS, its churches and its school
buildings Their condition is standing
7itLess to the measure of public spirit
and local pride one may expect to find on
nole Ultimate acquaintance. As we look
about With discerning eyes we note what
nature has done fOr the place We see
that those who first settled t lad in view
lie beauty of its situation: it's facilities
,oI leaoy intercourse with the great
"Ollu; lis POSSIBLE commercial and indus
Aiai advantages. 1t is true that some of
fAe most enterprislDg towns have few
Natural advantages compared with some
others far less eaterpliSing and prosper
ols. III sue localities there ale more nag
-9tal obstacles To- overcome, and more
.ahlic sliIit and private enterprise are
gtquileG to insure success and prosperity.
! he discerning observer sometimes won
itls Why, when there are places with
much greater natural advantages. certain
towns have been chosen as subjects for
the expenditure Of public spirit and en-
er9y winch rapidly developed the quiet
country VI lage into the busting city with
many business enterprises and substantial
pubic improvements. The truth doubt
less is THAT the spirit of modern enterprise
found an open door and a cordial well
come When II came to those towns, while
It either mas not reached some other
places whose natural advantages are su-
pe1i0l, ~ having knocked at their gates,
was refused entrance by provincial preju-
GlceS which hold possession. 1t is not
advantages. Its citizens pride themselves
in vain upon such. Like all other natural
resources they aIe practically worthless
until enterprise develops them and makes
them profitable. Tue best harbor in the
world is no more advantageous than
shallow liver if there be only enterprise
enough to sail a few fishing beats in and
out through its broad channels. The
puIest and most exhilalating atmosphere
IS but poor advertisement to attract peo-
PIE to place II when they come they find
inadequate accommodations for their com
Iolt. The finest scenery is bu- Il reproach
to place which lacks the ubic spirit
ana enterprise to reckon it in with its
profitable resources. Beauty of situation
is mockely without local pliie to sup
plement 1t with private int est in pro
noting deafness, o. Ter, good taste. and
some measure Of art in and about private
estates. Neglect and sluvenliuess vitiata
the most admirable natural advantages.
Lack If enterprise negative, the best
natural facilities for prosperity Want Of
loCa! PRIDE negtectS the most generous re-
sources OF nature, and when the man
with an eye to natural beauty and re-
sources sees them ignored, lie is very like
ly to attribute tie tact to fr bic public
spirit and want OF local pride
There is This however which in Justice
must be sad as 4 partial explanation of
the stdgnation which prevails in certain
4ooalltles whose natural advantages are
superior Time was when many of them
had tttulishing industries, and enjoyed
local prosperity. in the process of eyolu-
IIon which gradually affected great
changes and advances in the industrial
realm, those local industries disappeared,
and the communities where they once
ffourshed are now in transition stage,
win small prospects of entering upon
ne" era OF prosperity in the immediate
1utufe' Nothing short of exceptional
enterprise and lucky turn CT fortunes
wheel can initiate a new movement in
another direction towards renewed pros
perlty Mistakes and failures and losses
are likely to occur, in fact have already
occurred IN some of these localities, as
we have had example in our own city, but
nnless all hope Of better times and efforts
towards the realization of that hope,
are to be abandoned. it will not do to let
chose mistakes and failures and losses
deter men of affairs from furt ler enter
Prise and activity. The duration of the
transition period between the old era
and new must depend largely upon the
enterprise, the public spirit, the fore
sight and tie liberality Of the people