Mexico Missouri message., 1910-04-21


q position of responsibility in a large
banking house. One evening a num-
Der of gentlemen called upon him
and proposed that he should give up
the position that he held and organ
ize a new bank. On the face of it
such a proposition seemed a little I'M
wise, as the community was, APP
parently, already well supplied with
banks. But the arguments advanced
we're so telling and the inducements
so strong, that the gentleman under
took the task. When the stock sub
scriptions were closed 1t was found
that it had been subscribed three
times over. The bank has been in OPP
Grafton now for about three years, and
the increase of deposits last year
amounted to 100000. A friend sug.
gests that this is a wonderful tribute
to the man. Very true; and more
than this, it is a strong emphasis of
the value of character as capital.
We are constantly hearing and
talking about the commercialization of
our age, and deploring the tendency
to estimate everything on the basis
| "a NSAAoAo anu SChlb. lhG luulClLuGul
has all too much truth, but it is quite
possible to overwork It, Men are strug-
Cling and scrambling to make money.
The possession of it, in large amounts,
Is sometimes allowed to cover a null
titude of sins. But the man who as
sumes that money is the only valuable
asset, or even the most valuable, is
making an egregious blunder. The
control of large amounts of funds does
give the possessor power in the flnan-
cial and business world. But if this
Is all that he has, If he lacks the con-
idence of his fellow men, confidence
that is created and sustained by the
exhibition of right character he will
be unable to command the fullest sue
cess. Credit is not based entirely
lpon what a man is worth in the
coin of the realm, but also upon what
he is worth in uprightness and fair
dealing.
Have Confidence in Christians.
To be known as Christian is worth
something. When men scoff at Chris
tianity and assert that the general
public has less confidence in one who
processes to be a disciple of Jesus
Christ than in the irreligious man, we
can afford to smile at their Stiffness
If a firm is looking for a young
man to place in a position of
responsibility, church membership is
! recommendation. If it be known
that the applicant for a position is
a genuine Christian, it is made GER
tain that he will not defraud his en-
ployers and will perform his duties
faithfully. The commercial advan-
tage of being a Christian is certain
and large. That is not to urge that
any profess faith in Christ to secure
his advantage. Such a step would re-
veal an essential misunderstanding
of the religion of Jesus But that
which we do not seek as an object
may very well come to us as we prose-
cute the nobler understanding. Fix
ing our purpose upon living out the
spirit of the Master there will be add
ed to us that which we have not con-
sciously sought, viz, the confidence or
our fellow men with whom we have
to do in business relations.
This is a necessary result of the
ethical character of our religion.
Jesus demands honesty, sobriety, fru-
gality, consideration for others, on the
part of all who are his followers. He
undertakes to drive down through the
outward to that which is in the heart,
and calls for uprightness of desire and
purpose. All the world knows this,
and all the world knows that when a
man gives place in his life to Jesus
Christ he embodies the highest ideals
Of manhood. Because Jesus laid such
emphasis upon righteousness we do
not dare to content ourselves with
subscription to creed or ascent to the
illogical formulas. Whenever one I'M
dertakes to meet the claims of Christ
upon himself simply by believing
something, falling to conform his mo-
tiVes and desires to the high stand
ards furnished by Jesus, failing to live
out that rule of brotherhood which
Jesus made binding upon all who
would be his disciples, just so often
does Christianity degenerate into 6
lifeless form.
To Live Up to Golden Rule.
The daily papers tell of a movement
among business men which is of great
significance. Employers and man
ayers in different cities are asso-
ciating themselves on the basis of the
golden rule. They propose to conduct
business according to the law of
brotherhood which Jesus exalted.
Some say that this is an idle dream;
that business is war; that it is i'm.
possible to do unto others as we would
that they should do unto US and carry
our business ventures to a success.
full issue. It is significant that such
numbers Of business men should think
the adventure worth the undertaking
We prophesy good things for the men
of this brotherhood. We do not be-