The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-08
SEATTLE. SUNDAY. APRIL q.
/" In His Steps"


1t is not unwholesome that the
thought OF human kind should be turned
in the mass occasionally to the imita-
ton of the blameless life that has served
as a model for nearly twenty centuries.
even though the method OF attraction be
indiscreet and verging upon sacrilege.
Failures. as well as successes, instruct.
The pulpit, the press. the counting room,
the workshop and the field all need to
keep in constant contemplation the life
and the teachings from which we are
bold to say that all OF them make con-
siderable departures. And 1t answers
the purpose and does the work of a re-
ligious revival II men and women can
be made 20 think seriously and prac-
ticaily OF patterning life upon the model
Of the highest.
without the folly OF ignoring facts
or tendencies. without the cheerful
and witlcss optimism that soorns present
evil because Of Its assurance of ultimate
good, and believes that life's passengers
have no personal duty except to sit and
look out at the window in the comfort
able faith that they cannot fail OF ar
irving at their journeys appointed end.
we think that. In many ways. the critics
and judges and leaders OF the time mis-
take the texture OF todny's humanity;
and. in their cagerness to slay dragons.
clothe In scale and flames some OF the
truest aspiration. the most patient and
self-sacrincing endeavor that the world
has ever seen. Searching with burning
gaze the lofty hilltop for the splendid
flower Of consummate virtue that should
blaze there, they crush beneath unheed-
ing feet multitude OF humble and fra
grant blossoms that make the old world
sweet and keep to 1t the perpetual prom
Use Of the hopeful ages.
II we could search the hearts and lay
bare the Utmost purposes OF men, IL we
could marshal them In two vast multi
tudes according to the influences which.
upon the whole. mold their lives. We
should be surprised and gladdened at
sight OF the noble army that Is march
Ing consistently and steadfastly I'm His
steps" II has fewer banners than of
yore, thinks less of shIbbole,hs and
passwords. and has got rid Of not a few
trumpet calls Nay, It Is growing inn
patient even Of the military order %
formation, and loves 90 wander into by.
ways and climb benignant heights and
dip into blessed hollows " sacred lone
Illness, But the compass which It car
RIGS points true. Men and women are OF
the old, refractory stun There Is for
them no sudden transformation. but the
slow growing into beauty Of clay upon
the pottcrs wheel The fate OF pro-
grcss Is measured only by averages
What We believe and what an the real
voices o. eur ,ime declare Is that never
were there - many as today whose
deep, distinct ana dominating impulse
In life is to make e. on tho whole. not
unworthy OF the Masters kind bat tn
exorablc scrutiny In his steps arc fol
iowing. ia lines not STEADY. nles WAIVER
ms ana crratic but always returning
toward tAc axis 80 the universe she
greatest and sSodlicst company that
these twenty centuries have seen.
It Is dlfneult AMI misleading usually
90 approach this Judgment through thc
concrete. not only because mems Nves
like their motives. are tangled ana .u-
scrutablc, but because they wrap the
best ~ Themselves in veil ot tender
shame In the development ~ Charae-
ter. no precepy has been followed mor,
closely. perhaps. than that which en-
joins the secrecy u tho closet gor caul-
munion with the hottest. ana the divorce
~ knowledge between RICH, hand and
left In tho commission of good deeds.
Today the pharlscc in tho marketplacc
Is the target tor incNablc scorn; ana
lest they l.c Ike him. men within whom
there burns thc fire 81 heavenly affairs
effect a callonsncss which they do no;
feel. In living as In thinking. Il is the
dceps that are dumb,
The moral iiber of a nation shows ITS
strength and purity when 1t is stretch