The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-07-09
TME: nESERTfR.

/ Neus
In all human history, sacred or
secular, no more pathetic picture
can be found than this.
For the Master the supreme
lhonr Of His earthly career had
come. From the deep shadows
lOf Gethsemane He was about to
pass to the still deeper ones Of
Calvary. AT the beginning Of
| His ministry he had chosen twelve
and conferred upon them the an
nOinting of special discipleships
| It had been their privilege to be
constantly with Him, to enjoy
His councils, the inspiration Of
His 00mpanionship, and to listen
as He spake as never man spake
before.
To them had il been youchsafed
to see the eyes of the blind open
ed by Divine touch, to see a
handful Of food made sufficient to
satisfy the hunger Of q multitude
and to see the dead come forth.
Was not such q leader, counsel
Tor and friend worthy Of 4 loyal
lty which should know no diminu-
tion, even though confronted BY
death itselfs
Alas, for human weakness! Of
ten when we have a right to ex-
pecE manifestation OF courage
the most cUnsummate cowardice
takes its place.
And they all forsook him and
| fedl''
The remainder of the narrative
is familiar, While those whom
the Master had right to expect
would be faithful unto the end
we're hiding in places Of security,
the tragedy Of the cross took
place.
Courage is one Of the most val
liable assets in the entire makeup
of true character. The lack Of It
in time of need has contributed
some Of the saddest pages in hu-
man history. It's Opportune man
Hesitation has furnished some of
the most glorious ones.
One of the greatest needs in
the world today is courage. There
ale too many deserters. The
realm of craftsmanship needs men
who have thesscoUrage to stand By
their honest convictions, and who
will not desert them simply be-
cause the popular idea seems to
lie in another direction, and votes
appear to be drifting away.
The realm of journalism needs
men of courage; men who, realiz-
ing the power and influence of
the press, will resolve at all haz-
ards to champion the,cause of the
right, regardless of the havoc to
the advertising department. and
the subscription list which such
action may seem to bring.
The realm of business and COM
mercial transaction needs men
who will have courage to perform
the multifarious duties of citizen
ship, and who will do so without
shivering every time some speci-
men of venality threatens them
with the withdrawal of his patron
age.
The realm of Christian endeav-
or needs men and women with
the courage at all times to give a
reason for the faith that is IN
them, and the courage to conform
their lives TO the standard Of their
high calling.
In fact, the deserter has long
Isince outlived his usefulness, even
| if we indulge the questionable
admission that he ever had any.
We all know the drastic penal
ties prescribed for the deserter in
times OF war. 1t is not argued
that a similar punishmentss should
await the deserter in times of
peace. It is nothing less than inn
perative duty, however, for all
mankind to learn the lesson that
steadfats adherence to principle
/ is the only right method Of living.
Upon the Isle Of Patmos, many
centuries ago, John heard a voice
from heaven, and among other
things it said:
BE thou faithful unto death,
and / will give thee crown. of
life. = Yazoo Sentinel.