Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-06-03
The Reformer-Part 2.
From The Jetsrsonian, by ]. L. LODGE,
d. D., Editor

ID. d., Editor
He, who the sword of heaven will bear,
Must be as holy as severe.
Measure for Measure.
The first demand upon the reformer re
lates TO character. He has found that in
other people which needs eradication or
correction. Wrong exists, and he feels u
call to right it. Natural and acquired de-
pravlty shocks his sensbillties, offends
against the purity OF his morals, Law has
been violated, ethics trampled upon, con.
duct Vitiated, individual interests imperiled,
society outraged. He is the accuser. He
constitutes himself judge, selfesteemed AS
heavens deputy His vocation may be
worthy, even holy, calling; or 1t may de-
serve contempt and ridicule. Ii all depends
upon the man. Ii he have been for long a
pattern of the virtues he comments, u con
sstent opposer and reprover of the vice he
reprobates, il is well. But the proof must
lie back OF him, marking whole career.
1t is not enough that he Is satisfied with
himself; he must have been 80 tested that
approval is spontaneous and firm. Men
have no faith In man whose principles
have been suspected, and his actions dis
trusted, known changeling with the tides,
VINO In supposed Crisis suddenly cspOuses
the cause OF morality. Proud men spit upon
the upstart. Chartered representatives de-
celve only the simple. A shrewd thief
knows how TO cover his tracks Solidity is
always safe. Sudden elevation is frequently
disastrous. "'ris not till the ape hath
mounted the tree that she shows her tail so
plain" The relormer must be willingly
subject TO that sentiment in men, more vls-
orous and unchangng than any law, which
uisdalniully rejects and analhematizes an
uniounded claim to moral superiority
WhlIe the natural heart loves darkness, II
mates increasingly false, treacherous light.
IL loves TO strip the pretender, and show tue
reality to the world. In this feeling all good
men join, with the added emotion of shame,
Genuine excellence is that great motive
power which commands the confidence and
reverence OF the world AS Emmerson terse-
ly puts it, character is moral order seen
through the medium Of an individual ma
ture Y. Men of character are the
conscience Of the society TO which they be-
long" 1t shows what spiritual forces are
at work within these teaching examples,
and what are the procuring causes OF state
OF living which alone gives value To life. |
II unveils the plan of the ages, makes clear |
the eternal thought and purpose that thing |
we call character, towering above all things, |
beyond all worth, all estimate, al! comparl-
son; subecting all things, mOldIng benign |
agents, governing malign, destined to sur
vive 1.-THE wreck Of matter aud the crush OF
worlds" The earthly semblance OF God,
and AS indestructible rs He. 1t moves to |
imitation; but even in its failure 10 amend,
II remains as conscience. No more poign- |
ant sting ever ranked in u human heart
than the hate which honors. To detest
tuif hoi oh IN l.
Unavailingly TO wish Tor the annihilation OF |
The deafness is misery and confusion
Character, when not a savior, is an accuser.
In either capacity 1t is mighty. II the al
legged .eformer is not clothed with it, he has
stolen thu great name of another
We csnnd, adudicate the claim without
strict inquiry INTO motives. The require
menl is complete expurgation OF sell, pro-
found pity Tor the erlng, distrust OF per-
sOnal competency with0G supreme assist
ance, humble reliance on the lruIn anu ulB
nifty OF the cause. Possessing >sese quail
fications, the actor takes his title Jom the
skies, and enters on his work !
BY right of mercy and loves loneliness
God and man demand the personal initia-
tive. The reiormer must be the pioneer N.
principle. He does not move Ia ." Nh
That would be popular; ans POI - AZ
the inception OF prope4 NJ v, s ,'D'i
or pc litical reiornSo% nus the earlharks oi
/tp>s1eVil. ~ ac>Siormers have always gone
l3dt bears1g precious seed, weeping. Their
sheaves have not been gathered in the same
hour. When Il man parallels his religion, or
becomes suddenly impassioued on behalf OF
the people, We set him down as u hypJcrlte
in the first instance, and corrupt partisan
fraud in the other. The asserting of titles
md al 40 ia rod hp
the exegencies which call Tor the display OF
real character. You will have your oppor-
tunity, if you watch, to expose "the vain,
inflated and garnished pageant" and vent
your Just indignation and contempt The
alleged reformer must hold himself ready 10
answer pertinent and searching questions
from the keen observer of his interesting
antics: Out on the Lupercal, were you thrice |
offered crown, and did you thrice refuse |
Were you tribe weary of ob5curitY, and
deemed the time propitlJus TO "send sound
ing name abroadS" Did you spy some per
sonal advantage, and think now was your
time TO become suddenly pure aud good
What prce did you expect - be paid for
your zealS Or, did your pious bosom 80
heave with sorrow over the faultness OF
of your fellow man as TO spoil your appetite
and keep you awake OF nights III
w HcH Que buIuS HONn tut BpIuOH ltCDIh
of the past, when real men pulsated with
conviction, burned with thought, aud spoke
with tongue ailame, withstoOd princes, 81
fenced courts, blanched the lace Of guilt and
drove iniquity into corners dark or into
caves where II might hide aad give pause
to shame, moved continents To penItential
deeds, resisted tyrants, kindled the love Of
liberty, raised the ragged form Of humanity
from crouching servility TO height Of free
men, shed their blood 10 stablish principle,
gave men 10 themselves and led them back 10
God and then cOntemplates the products OF
this rag picking age OF simulacra, shadows,
effigies OF human blpeds aping the shades
Of greatness, and sprOuting words, words,
words, thoughts are too big for utterance,
and the silence Of disgust IL filter What
mi xture il is, TO be sure this modern witches
cadron'
Black spirits and white,
Blue spirits and grey,
Mingle, mingle, mingle,
You that miDgle may.
Eye of newt and toe OF frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Double, double toll and trouble,
Fire, burn; and, cauldron, bubble.
Crop haired females, with strdent bark, and
male "me tOos" in plenty. Ape, crocodile,
and cuckoo From the whole menagerie OI
alleged Performers" good Lord deliver us;
we beseech Thee 10 hear us, good Lord J"
Business In the Orphans Court
The following business was transacted 10
the Orphans Court:
The last will and testament Of William l..
Lawson, deceased, was admitted " probate,
and letters Of administrations G. T. A. were |
granted To Annie Il Lawson. Bond $500
The last will and testament Of Gassaway |
NJ. Reynolds was admitted " probate, and
letters testamentary on the estate Of CASA
way NJ. Reynolds were granted 10 WIN. e.
Mannakee. Bond 5000.
Al ~ D..l.n n..n.linr IL WnIlnr w