Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-12

lamentable difference between a man
having money and his money having
him.
Not a Jeliyfish
Men must possess consecrated back
bone in morals. Man is not expected to
be a jellyfish, morally, but an imperial,
majestic vertebrate who stands up to
give and receive blows In defense and
in behalf of the God who gave him his
soul and his lofty estate.
once to every man and nation comes the
moment to decide.
In the strife of truth with falsehood for the
good evil side;
Then 1t is the brave man chooses, while
the coward stands aside,
Doubling in his abJect spirit till his LORD
is crucifled
Men may suffer temporarily for
standing by their duty, but time is
just retributor; and, though sometimes
long delayed, succeeding days see
statues unveiled and hear unstinted
praises. Modern Italians warmly ap-
plaud the principles for which Bruno
and Savonarola were burned at the
stake, and have unveiled imposing mon
uments to perpetuate the courage OF
these brave patriots.
what shall be said of consecrated
backbone in politics? Alas! that in
Doubtless there are honest politicians
who are true statesmen. [ could men,
ton some, nor would the list be a short
one; but the typical politician of the
day has such elasticity and sinuos1ty
in his spinal cord that for gain or pre-
| ferment he can stretch himself to any
| lengths of conscience or contract him.
self to any degree of acquiescence, ol
insinuate himself into any schemes Of
dishonor, felicitating himself that tn:
| end justifies the means, and that tC
win in the contest obliterates all crimes
committed, all righs trampled upon, al
| Misrepresentation made! Oh, for a
generation of Daniels, who will purpose
in their hearts not to defile themselves
with the kings meat Gladstones
and Lincolns can be best remembered
If the purity and bravery of these
honest statesmen shall become the per-
sonal possessions of a race of grateful
posterity in England and America!
Ideals Now Recognized
"WhiIe 1t is to be deeply deplored
that SO much of corruption character
ICES the region of politics there is room
for rejoicing that certain lofty ideals
are recognized by the two great parties
in the choice they have made of their
standard bearers. Both of these men
are outspoken churchmen of unblem-
ished integrity.
"Consecrated backbone is lamentably
needed in some religious circles. Many
Samsons once strong and useful are
grinding in prison houses in GAIA;
many Peters who stoutly declared
though all men forsake thee yet will
not T. are heard denying their Lord
with profane vehemence. Many Chris
tians bend their backbones almost to
the point of breaking in adjusting
themselves to worldly affairs. Such
people can carry no burdens for Christ.
Soldiers who win victories must stand
erect, with no openings in their armor,
with sword drawn and shield in de-
fense. One bitter cold night servant
placed warming pan in the bed which
the great Cromwell was about to oc-
cupy. AS he withdrew he looked
through the keyhole and saw the great
Cromwell still on his knees in the in
tense cold. The tender and witty Hood
asks: How many Of us can stand the
test of the keyhole?'
Moreover, how do we stand the tests
of self-denial, of patience, Of generosity,
of forgiVing our enemies, of avarice, of
social preferment. Of humility, of seek
ing our own in our brothers highest
good, of adversity, of faith in God
when there are dashing waves or sink
ing sands, or of fashionable idol wor-
ship?
Daniel won his prestige and premier
ship in Babylon because he was true
to his religious convictions and would
not serve the gods of King Nebuchad-
nezzar.' AS diplomatist Daniel might
have argued to himself that the fancy
of the vain king would soon be gone,
and that a little empty worship and
bowling down would avoid an unpleasant
antagonism with the powers that be;
in Rome he would do as the Romans,
and later by faithfulness hope to re-
trieve anything he might lose. But no,
he was d man; vertebrate; and not
an migrate. Sometimes such backbone
leads to fiery furnaces and hungry
lions jaws, but truth has been de-
voured into strength and burned into
permanence, and the brave men who
have suffered for truths sake have
found their lives by losing them, and
have won fame and Immortality on
earth as well as scepter and realm
in heaven eternal"