The record-union., 1899-01-17
MEN WHO CAN'T Be BOUGHT.
A MINISTER WHO HAS FAITH
IN MANKIND.
Rev. J. b. Silcox Roundly Rebukes
Those of the Pessimistic
Glass.

Preaching on THE Victory of Man
hood" in the Congregational Church
on Sunday morning, Rev. Mr.. Silcox
ccmbated the idea that happiness was
the chief end and aim of life. Right
eousness, manhood, character - these
are the great and only worthy objects
of our quest. Many of the saintliest
souls and noblest benefactors Of earth
have endured persecution and poverty
rather than swerve from their high
ideals of character and service. They
have chosen the cross of shame rather
than the crowns of honor that the
world had to offer. Like Henry Clay,
they have said and acted out the say
ing: Better be right than be Presi-
dent
There ara mem to-day in our CONNER
cial houses and in our houses of legis-
lation who are ruled by these high mo-
tives Satan's sneer, Doth Job fear
God for naught?'' is given the lie. In
the thick, black night of temptation
and trouble Job clung fast to his man
hood. His integrity and righteousness
he held with iron grip. To-day, as then,
men are subjected to severest tests of
character. The furnace of trial is
heated seven times over. The severest
pr essure is brought to bear, the most
fascinating bribes are held out, to turn
men from integrity and principle. Yet,
in the midst of terrific temptation, men
cling to truth and right and duty.
There are men whom no gold can buy,
and no promise of fame can seduce.
There are men of that type of charac-
in tho Senate nd Acc IN, r ], ic
city now convened. A man said to me
the other day, pointing to the joint
assembly to elect a Senator: ''They are
just holding off to see who will give
them the largest bribe. could buy the
whole lot if l had money enough That
mans words were but Satan's old-time
sneer Doth Job fear God for naught ?''
1t is a most pessimistic and damnab BILE
creed to live by. 1t assumes that men
will be pious only so long as it is profit
able to be pious. 1t assumes that men
care more for the rewards of righteous
ness than for righteousness itself.
History gives the lie to that mean,
low conception of manhood. There are
men to-day, as there have been through
all the past, who cannot be bought.
Their superb manhood looks down on
Satan's bribe with infinite scorn. They
will stand by truth and principle,
though it beggars and bankrupts them.
They Will follow duty to the scaffold
and the grave. They never denean
themselves by asking will it pay?"
They only ask: rs it right? Is it duty
Is it just" There are men of that
type in our Senate and Assembly here
convened.
The men who sank the Merrimac and
faced the hail of bullets outside Santi-
ago were not thinking of gold or fame.
1t was the strong, stern voice of duty
that led them on. Heroism is above
hire. We are not so low a breed that
heroism has no place among us. The
call of the Cross calls us up to the
nights, and does not call in vain. The
noble army of martyrs has its recruits
to day. There are men in our midst
Who love not their lives unto the death.
They climbed the steep ascent of heaven,
Through peril, toll and pain;
o, God, to US may grace be given
To follow in their train.