Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-16

deserves to be honored. 1 understand by
honor something inherent in ourselves
which deserves praise; in other words, a just
be sure, we may sometimes behold our
selves honored by mankind while deep
down in our souls the voice of conscience
may tell us in no uncertain language that
we are undeserving of the praise bestowed
upon us; and while the senses feel fiat
tered, our better selves revolt at the thought
of the mask we are wearing. Is there a
pang more keen than that of the conviction
that we are not really what we appear to be.
that If we were known we would be de-
spfsed? All. truly there are few things
worse than dishonor in this sense. To be
constantly reminded that If we are not con-
demned by ALL If we have not lost our rep
utation and our good name, it is because
we are not known, and that we are enjoy
ing them only under false pretenses. is akin
only to the bitterness that fills the soul of
the reprobate. Then there is the certainty,
the absolute certainty. that if we can de-
ceive men 1t is utterly impossible to deceive
God. No! We cannot We cannot blind
the eyes of the immortals, who look down
upon our darkness and infamy from the
serene depths of perpetual light. We may
throw dust into the eyes of men-poor.
weak deluded men here below; but remem-
Der angels eyes behold US, and that vast
army of those who live in another and bet
ter life, souls of the great majority of men
and women who once lived here, are look
ing down upon us. What disgrace, what
terrible dishonor, burning into the very
vitals of our SOUL and branding US with
the consciousness of unworthiness and
shame! OH who will help US to fly from
such foretaste of eternal misery? Who
will raise the burden of dishonor from orr
shoulders, or if we have not had the mis-
fortune to fall into that wretched condition,
worse than death, who will preserve Us
from it?
l. eXclaims virtue, alone can do it. Yes,
the practice of virtue is our only refuge
By virtue we habitually perform good deeds
and become good. As the block of marble.
by repeated strokes of the chisel. gradually
assumes the idea of the sculptor. thus does
the soul Of man clothe itself with good
ness by repeated acts of virtue and thus
render Itself worthy of honor and esteem
Nothing else can obtain for US this in
estimable blessing. The world may flatter
the rich, it may cringe before the mighty.
nf baar
and honor them If they are devoid of virtue
and filed with vice.
If man has ever been truly honored it
has been on account of good qualities united
with virtue, for vice communicates all that
1t touches. If sometimes the wicked re-
celve sincere praise it is on account of
some good that is in them; never for their
vices.
Alas. how many regulations have been
blasted, how many promising careers
One is poor. but respectable, and esteemed
by all who know him, because he is vir-
tuous; the other, though rich, is by
word and an object of contempt, in spite
of the host of parasites and fatterers who
profit by his money, because he Is a spend
thrift, drunkard and a libertine
Ignominy and disgrace attach themselves
not only to the wicked man, but they often
reflect upon his family. "A father without
honor is the disgrace of the SON." (Eccle-
siastes iii:13) Dishonor accompanies the
wicked, even to the tomb. and brands his
memory forever. And they shall fall after
this without honor, and be a reproach
among the dead forever and their
memory shall perish" is iv:l9) Cen
turtles have passed since the death of Judas.
of Nero and many other wicked men. but
as long history is written and men read
of the past so long shall dishonor attach
to their names, forever stigmatized with re-
proach. IT, then we wish to be honored
here and hereafter, let us be virtuous and
shun vice.
The Intimate consciousness of striving
after virtue will be our greatest hapniness
and an inestimable reward. II will he an
echo of the divine approval and a fore
taste of endless beatitude