Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21
Consistency, a phase
In Qer8onal Growtb

Congre cation,

and the intricate curves of the line of con-
duct there will always DE scarlet thread
of truth upon which the pearls of thought
and of conduct can be strung. There will
be unity despite the chameleon-form va
riety. The chief question is not, Is this act
now different from that of yesterday or does
my present belief annul the conviction of
some days ago." but rs this altered act
the result of matured thought sincere
judgment and allegiance to the light as I
see it now?" The solicitude centers not
around the deed as to its sameness but as
to its soundness; its present sensibility to
the truth.
The difficulty that may be experienced by
society in discovering the motives of your
act is very patent. The allegation of in
sincerity is made with facility that be-
comes a felicity to some. a strong man
readily finds his weapons of defense. Each
conscience in personal conduct is the high
est tribunal If my act now, be it ever so
different from an act performed some hours
ago, is in keeping with my best knowledge
at the time of it's performance. it is con-
sistent The two acts stand together and
bear harmonious relations to the truth.
There is only one criterion by which the
consistency of character is to be estimated,
and that Is the conviction of the person
at that particular time of speech or deed
What matters it what once he felt and
thought; like the growing youth who puts
aside the toys and trinkets of infancy, so
does he tenderly and considerably lay
away the cast-off garments of mental ac-
tivity in the store house of outgrown ex-
perience for future reference or COMPARE
son. Thus the charge of inconsistency may
or may not be complimentary.
A foolish consistency" or undue rever-
ence for past belief and act, oft leads to
pernicious results. The ordinary phrase de-
mands a good memory in the liar. 1t is
| ever so with the man who fears honest in
| consistency. He is forced to be perpetualiy
| reviewing his past, not always bad thing.
| His present conduct thus hinges entirely
| upon the trustworthiness of his recollec-
| tive faculties. II they play him false, to
what ridiculous conclusions will be not be
forced! This childish inconsistency is op-
posed to progress on general principles
Again, the fear of popular displeasure en-
tiers into the problem. But what is more
sacred to us than our souls? Is not the
heroism of a Joshua and Caleb the very
climax of self-preservation? The position
of jeremiah is wholly inexplicable unless
we learn to appreciate the higher law of
Inconsistency. He who studies to be merely
consistent in order not to arouse opposition
must always live in bondage. Consistency
maintained at the expense of honesty is
cowardlce When undue reverence for the
past compels irreverence toward ourselves
we are committing moral suicide We are
afraid of our own convictions. We thus
live and act lie, Sometimes a false mod
esty tends to make belittle our own
ideas. We underestimate them because
they are ours. Is 1t the fear of making
mistake? Omniscience is not yet human
attribute Why should your individuality
be quenched? Faithfulness to self. to ones
spirit is the highest duty. Modern life is
simply killing personality. Corporation has
no soul advisedly. You cannot do any bet
ter than to be yourself. in its fullest sense.
Any other consistency is the Justification of
character. True inconsistency is the con-
sistency with the truth as you now view 1t.
Our whole life Is composed of numerous
seemingly insignificant changes. The truths
of yesterday readily become the falsehoods
of today. The world is daily adding new
miracles. Yet the individual conscience
with the best aid from society remains the
guide. New starting points must be as
sumed; new vantage ground gained. New
ideals are bursting in refulgent light every
hour upon our enraptured vision, and our
duty is to keep abreast in mind and heart
Our eyes must be sensitive to the beams of
Gods light and our ears pricked to catch
the swelling harmonies from newly dfscov-
cred spheres. What once was right Is not
always right. of yesterday and of to-
day are mentally two different persons.
must grow. dare not live In Egypt when
can live in Canaan. So do we march on
in this journey OF ours Ever comes the
command, Tell the children of men that
| they shall march forward" Break up the
old camps again and anon, not ruthlessly,
needlessiy, but as conditions warrant and
determine. until you enter the land flowing
| with the milk and honey OF a wider knowl-
| edge deeper character to the realization oP
| yourself.