Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-21

community. Every person ought to
be interested in the prosperity and well
fare Of every other persons character.
This will strengthen his own character
as well as the character Of others. This
will bring society into closer bonds Of
union and will furnish safeguard for
a community's defence.
But failure to recognize and re-
spect the rights Of others and their Just
claims upon us, as well as the reckiess
destruction of character, Is most ef-
fectual way Of destroying the very laws
and principles upon which society Is
built. The person who fails to put
priceless value upon the honor and good
character Of his fellow-citiZens Is lack
ing in one of the essential elements
which go to make up true man. He
who would destroy good character-it
matters not where 1t may be found-is
flendish enough to commit the most
diabolical crime. The destruction of
good character is worse than the de-
structDn Of life and property. II there
Is anything that is dear to an upright
man, 1t Is his sacred honor, his STAIN
less character. This Is worth more to
him than all the world beside.
who steals my purse, steals trash; tits
something, nothing;
Twas mine, it's his, and has been
slaves to thousands;
But he. that fllches from me my good
name,
Robs me of that which not enriches
him,
And makes me poor indeed"
The man who lives solely for self Is
menace to the community in which lie
lives-yea, he Is curse to that COM
mun1ty. A man must get out Of self be-
fore he can attain any true greatness
and before he can be real blessing to
his fellowmen.
You have heard Of the old gentleman
who Is said to have offered this prayer:
20 Lord, bless me and my wife, my con
John and his wife, us four and no
more" There are many who live this
prayer, II they do not offer 1t formally
before a throne Of grace. All such are
burdens to the society in which they
live. We need to get out Of ourselves
and out Of our own little circles and
bring into our hearts and lives liber-
ality that will rejoice in the welfare Of
the community at large and that will
contribute to that welfare when the op-
portunity affords.
Think Of the priceless value Of good
character. If there Is anything worth
possessing in this life, 1t is this; and,
thank God, this is in reach Of each one
of us. A good character Is the individ-
ual PERSONS safeguard, the nations de-
fense. There Is nothing comparable to
1t in intrinsic worth, All the wealth
Of the world Is trash compared to 1t. 1t
Is something that abides. Our friends
may desert and forsake us; our foes
may do all they can against US; our
worldly possessions may be taken away
from US; our reputation may be blast
cd. hut ~, ofo lfv,oa
season can destroy; no enemy can de-
prive us Of it. 1t is ours, part Of our ma
ture. incorporated into our very being.
Character Is the man himself. Good
character bids defiance to the ravages
Of time. Death cannot destroy It, but
only confirms its eternal existence. The
infinite years Of God cannot injure It,
but will be the sure protector and con-
servator Of its blessed integrity.
Priceless treasured. The country's
safeguard. the community's. defence,
the individual PERSONS inheritance!
Would you have model in the for
nation Of your personal character?
There Is but one perfect model, and
Christ, our Saviour. His character
stands alone through all history in its
matchless, glorious. peerless beauty ani
perfection. All the excellencies and
perfections Of character centre and in
here in him. The very perfection o.
right being Is to be found in his heart
and the very perfection of right doing
is to be found in his life.
No character is complete that is not
in sympathy with the peerless charac-
ter Of Christ, and no community Is sa-
cure that is not leavened with His re-
ligion. May each Of you take Him as
your model both in character and con-
duct, both in heart and life.