The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-24
righteousness.

During recent weeks articles have
aupeared i'm this column dealing with
certain virtues 50 fundamental 10
character that they have all been
s,raupnd together under the general
heading. "CarnerstDnes of Character
Honesty. purity. truthfulness. perse-
veranrt.. generosity. fiiialness. item
perancc are tn. subjects which have
pe.n included i'm the series. IT the
cornerstone of character he designed
i'm the form of an arch. stha qualities
mentioned would appear as the COM
ponent parts. But the arch would not
h. complete until there was put in
place the Keystone nf righteousness.
Righteousness is the browning trait
af character. II holds IN. same rela-
ton L. other virtues that the key
stone holds IL the other members Of
tn. arch: il l. absolutely essential To
make them permanent. As the
churches in an arch are laid over a
temporary form. but needs the key
stone To give them permanent secur-
ity: So in many individuals various
good qualities OF character are laid
over the temporary form of home in
Thence. but tn. keystone "f reiiGi nus
ness is needed Ia give permanent
Sol!dity. The wooden form for the
arch and thu unfolding Influence of
godfy home must sooner or later be
removed: and then the ability of the
arch and nf the character qicE" Siil
depend on tn" keystone.
Jesus was "ncc asked by one thor
nushly familiar with the detailed re-
uuirnmrntS Of the Mosaic law. Master.
which is the greatest commandment
in the law" And he replied: Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with NIL
thy heart. and with all thy soul. and
with all thy mind" on the authority
of Jesus there - no higher obiiga-
ton resting upon man than that to
he truly religious, To love God: and in
meeting this highest obligation man
atiains the browning trait Of char
actcr.
Not only l. righteousness supreme in
character because ii stands highest in
the scale and fuifills mans highest OH
citation: but also because il is In
very real sense inclusive Of all other
virtues. Not only is 1t like the key
stone i'm the arch: II is also like the
steel frame in til" great skyscraper. ar
the mighty engine within the ship. As
the skyscraper could not stand with
ont the unseen frame of solid steel.
and rs the ship would be helpless and
useless without the throhhng engine
i'm its hold. So true righteousness gives
both strength for endurance and on
orgy for effectiveness To the char
acter. 1t is so difficult ~ To lac prac-
ticaily Impossible Ia remain honest and
pure and true and generous and tenn
pcratc.
To be religious is M mere nominal
thing. 1t involves the conservation NJ
ones Who'll" self. Cod must he lnvad
with all tn" heart. all The soul. AMI
nj! the mind. II invc Him with tn"
heart means IL love Him affectionatc-
ly. to think tcnderly of Him. Ia de-
sire in everything 10 hc pleasing In
Him. As the normal relation between
father and son involves not only ohei
icnce but affection. 50 the
religious life implies on the part af
man u relation In his heavenly Father
nf affcctionatc devotion. II Involves
the .nthrnn"mrnt of God i'm the cham
her Of the souls nohlcst and tender
ent sentiments.
Yet tho Christian religion is vastly
NOR" than n matter Of sentiment,
however high and holy that may he.
God Is 20 hc loved not only with the
heart but with the soul: and here
the word has the large significance of
tn. life as whole. The truly re-
lrinus life j. nne Of bencvoiencc and
practical hclrfuinos@. rs well as one
Of devotional affection. Indeed. ones
affection for God must in no small
part find lis expression in the service
of lav" bestowed upon those who are
Gad's children. No laye worthy the
nam" can find complete expression In
wards Of alteration and cndearmen,.
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