Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-12-16
Lifes Responsibility-Part s.
from The Je6ersOnian, by ]. L. LODGE,
D. D., Editor.

So life we praise that doth excel
Not in much time, but acting well.
Waller.
Virtue has two sides, or modes of expires
sion, strongly contrasted, yet one in origir
and effect. Passivity is as often hernandez
as exertion. 1t affords as large scope 70
the exercise and development of the fines
attributes of royal nature. 1t is incalcula
bly, harder to bear without retaliation AM
form of injury than TO execute the grandes
scheme of right. Into one enters the ele
ment of pain, with Its product, inertia; tn,
other fills the actor with pure joy. Silenc,
and inaction require suppression of emotion
closure of natures vent, against conviction
and every proper sense of justice, in view D
the greater good which comes OF ruling thu
indignant spirit, The conqueror of cities Il
Insignificant in the presence of the victor
over self or OF HIM who withstood cata
clysm OF sorrow and atfliction; who breasted
triumphant, the wild waves of "outrageou.
fortune" In the early years of the new re-
ligion, when iaithiuness found instant re-
ward in martyrdom, it was deemed fina
proof and hottest exultation to say, "Come
see how Christian can die There's a
truer test, a sublimer boast: Come, see how
just man can suffer To pass out OF Lille is
to seize upon release, escape from every ILL.,
TO enter on eternal rest, everlasting peace.
To accept life, as ordered and disposed, over
turning every plan, thwarting every pur
pose, defeating every trial, yielding anguish,
denying hope frustrating desire, crucifying
nerves, breaking the heart is a far grander
part. Thousands have longed for death /;
no man ever prayed for a life of misery.
Passiveness is often limited to equipoise of
spirit, while every energy is bent to reverse
the state, TO overcome the resistance of OPP
posing evils. Compared to this momentous
struggle, a spectacle for men and angels,
despair is easy. Nerveless the fallen hands,
expectation palsed, resolution dead, effort
surceased, the frame experiences the quiet
of the grave. The living corpse needs no
equipment. But, TO be alive, TO act, requires
character. To discern that II is more ra
tional and more moral to shear those Ills we
have, than fly TO others that we know not of /"
That to commit lite's guidance to the flesh
were to ensure ruin, quick and remedlIess.
That discipline of trial is the only possible
way to produce man tit for earth, or pre-
pared for heavenly habtation
Moral herolsm is TO undure bravely where
we must; to act grapdly where we may.
In Robert Browning's fine phrase:
The common problem, yours, mine, every
ones
Is--not TO fancy what were fair in lite
Provided 1t could be,-but finding first
What may be, then find how to make it fair
Up to our means. A very different thing
The II. es carry the true sentiment: resig-
nation and endeavor, The first, until the
divine will has been ascertained, when the
word must he changed To pleasure. The
same wisdom which imposes difficulties often
provides for their removal The lesson learn
ed, the object gained, they are thereafter use
less. With variant agencies, goodness runs
through the consistent plan. No man has
the right to be unhappy where reversal Is
Ia measure conditioned upon the use OF his
own powers This he may test Tor himself
Laziness delights TO hide its ugliness in robes
OF resignation. General worthlessuess bames
It's inevitable state ON destiny. The Scrip.
lures refute the SANDER They point out
opportunity and supply example, Either
is sufficient 10 declare the purpose, and fix
responsibility. At the end of all effort, the
solution is destiny. Patience under adver-
sity or atfi icIion is OF birth divine. But
there can be no true resignation Till after ex-
haustion OF remedial agents The wisdom
which permits disease cOmmends the office
and service Of the physician. The "Christlan
Science" iallacy is 30 far beneflcent that it
10 uclplDk VI the WOTll Ol HOUlt Sulhit
number OF its innumerable fools. Poverty
is not, OF itself, a good Poetic sentiment
has glorifed IL, but at the expense OF truth
Like q thousand other evils, divine good
ness transmutes the curse into blessing, In
possible cases No man has u right 10 be
poor II he can honestly improve ms condi-
ton. The implanted wish, and its reCUg
nizabe effect upon the world, stand in evil
dence. Wealth has its cOnseCTated uses.
The command Tor It's distribution is impera
tive. In the carnival OF self5hness, every
largess is antidOtal. Rejoice aloud that you
are not mean slave to cOvetOusness and
boarding; but one Of Gods great-hearted,
Tree handed princes Victims wait for the
good Samaritan. Satisfied poverty il dis
honorable. The abuse OF wealth is Grim
inal. On both rests responsibility. The
last shall meet fiery doom at the judgment
Absolute ownership on Gods part, and alb
solute dependence on mans part, enforce
obligation. The tendency Is TO minimize
the concept, and, by consequence, To mutt
late the practice Adequate lmpulsion can
come only from clear understanding Of
the rel alton. la the realm of spirit, as in
physics, reaction is proportiOnate TO force.
The full vessel can communicate. Great
actions demand u great mind. Small men
find ambition in sufficient measure, but
tressed with conceit, and made rash through
Ignorance. They lack the qualifications Tor
leadership; lack the acumen, provision, dis
cipline, skill, r source, endurance essential
10 conspicuous achievement. Often they
press into the lead where competent ability
has founded and brought TO great height
noble work, only 10 whelm II in disaster.
They overlook the all important fact that
the very same ability that originates, and
procures success, Is perpetually required ~
preserve and extend 1t. Anxious 10 lin
the semblance Of repute, they sometimes dis
parage, sometimes exaggerate, the extent Of
the foundation on which they vainly strive
70 build. Their thirst for notoriety Is ever
followed by collapse. The truly great dis
trust or value low their own capacity, adj
vance with caution, and admi mister re.
sponsible Office with modesty, II not with
trembling Out of this humility, coupled
with trust In the Source Of power, grow
great actions. Such a mind sees the obliga-
ton. He knows that in the whole economy
finally everything is for man, and deter
mines, therefore, that everything in man must
be for God and his creatures. lie moves by
His impulsion and for His sake. God ia for
him: Who can be against him Z Nor wicked
men nor devils damned can hurt or hinder
the cORsecrated man. Sacred 10 heaven both
himself and his cause Against malignant
or untOward force he moveIcss stands,
As some tall cliff that lifts ts awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves
the storm,
Though round It's breast the rolling clouds
are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on it's head.
There Is no promise Of exemption from
adverse experiences common u nen, but
the distinct pledge " honor his work and
crown him with final victory