The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-23

crime Of suicide. to set 1t of, and thus pro.
duce multiplied series.
While it is generally believed, from a
snpernciai view. that the crime of suicide is
the result of insanity, facts show that IL
causes but very small percentage. The
majority of cases are due to that abnormal
condition Of the mind which is caused indI-
rectly by physical, social or financial condi-
tions. but directly by the absence from the
NE or that perfect balance which comes
from belief in the authority ard benef-
cence or God and right adjustment to his
Will. bringing with 1t patience, courage, SUBJ
mission and contentment.
SINS INFLUENCE INVOLVED,
ION the one hand acute bodily disease and
pain. injured affection. domestic and family
troubles and failure in the struggle of life
beget impotence and despair, which urge On
the victim to self-destruction. Causes on
the other hand consisting of moral and
psychical disorders, vices and crimes for the
most part produce their effect through the
sentiment Of fear. fear OF disgrace and
punishment.
Where the suicide is accountable for his
is that the is
object, or despair in what Is irreparable, or
fear-a fear which makes him choose death,
OF which he knows nothing. rather than face
the discovery and the consequences OF his
guilt.
Back of the majority Of cases sins In
directly involved. In gross and in subtle
forms 1t can be traced, on investigation.
poisoning with its deadly virus the bodies
and minds and souls OF ITS willing dupes
Literally, well as metaphorically, the
wages of sin is death. the pre-eminent eie-
ment in life's discord. and that which is
the inspiration Of self-destruction.
Besides specific causes, there is, es-
pecially in our great cities, where the crime
Of suicide Is so common, an antireligious
philosophy and an utter godlessness in the
Strange to say that countries which fur
nish the highest standard of culture furnish
the largest contingent Of voluntary deaths.
showing that godlessness despite education
without 1t, Is back Of self-murder. Here
we find reputation Of personal responsible
ty, an utter selfishness in relation to others.
and a pessimsm and agnosticism which.
while formulated by such men as schopen-
hauer and Ingersoll. and put into romance
by Goethe. is subtly pervading the social
Just In proportion to the vanishing Of the
sense of God and our responsibility to him
for our acts. will there be an increase in
this awful crime of suicide.
When we consider that the increasing
civilization is accompanied by a correspond
ing increase in suicide. we are confronted
by at least the apparent inemciency OF the
application of the great principles OF our
holy religion.
CHRIST THE PANACEA FOR SIN.
1--WE need to permeate the social body
with the same principles Of truth, purity,
justice and love which are expected to per-
wade and regulate the conduct Of the in
0lvlQudl. Inc QueStiOHS VI SOCidl vice. tnc
inequalities of life and labor. the ameliora-
ton Of unfortunates. justice among men in
all relations. must be grappled with and
either removed or mitigated.
1.-THE unchristian and false standard Of
purity and constancy in the marriage re-
iation, which is poisonous to the fountain
springs of domestic life, the cause of mul.
tfplying divorces. married infeltcities and
often suicides. must be condemned and
cured with heroic treatment.
But primarily the effectual cure for this
great crime is found in individual life; in
the living Christ. as the panacea for sin In
all its forms and influences. What men
need essentially Is not to have evils re-
moved from them. but to so become divine
ly fortified in their choices. conscience. af-
fections. desires and their whole character.
that they shall be able to rise above
their mere surroundings and temptations.
What we need. and what is offered US
in Christ. is salvation from within. rather
than from without. Our safety Is not SO
much in where we are as in what we are.
Fever germs and all other kinds. give no
anxiety to the man Astounding in health. who
keeps well in the midst OF the most appall-
ing sanitary conditions, while the weak and
delicate Sllccumb.