The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1911-07-20
Shakespeare Measure For Measure

Rev. Waller delivered his second ser.
mon from Shakespeare last Sunday
evening. In part he said:
Shakespeare measure for measure
is not tragedy i. e. there are no deaths
in same. But tragedies do not always
consist of deaths for where heart is
stabbed, where faith or horor are slain
there may be as much tragedy as where
blood is shed.
This is the tragedy of testing.
The Duke of Vienna realized that
many laws in existence had not been en-
forced in consequence crime had multi
piled and the law been ridiculed. The
Duke relegated his power to Angelo.
In this he was at fault and showed his
weakness. He expected another to do
that which he should have done him
self. A man cannot shuttle off his own
responsibilities. We nave many laws
on our statutes books to day which are
not enforced consequently there is
crime and men who shirk responsibility
| expe citing or wanting others to do what
they should do themselves are towards.
Claudio was an offender but when law
was applied because others had violated
the same law and not been prosecuted
complained. We find the same thing
true today, many crimes are committed
and the offender that is caught or pun
ished complains that he has been pick
ed out to carry the penalty but the man
who trifes with the law must always
remember the law may strike any time.
Claudio seeing himself in danger
looks for some means of escape. He
sends to Isabella, his sister to get her
to intercede for him. She hestates
but finally goes to intercede for her
brothers life. Angelo is supposed to be
good man. He seems good but is he?
Can we tell who are good until the test
comes? Angelo was not bad man but
his goodness was not properly rooted.
He had never been tempted. He failed
to meet the test because his character
was not founded on righteousness. We
are not to wonder why others fall but
rather think what we would do should
like temptation come to us.
| Character is that which a man is, in
the dark, A test of character is what
we will do when no one is looking. If
we fail to meet the test it is because
we are unsound and untrue at the bot
tom. Angelo meant well but he was
weak when he thought he was strong.
Instead of condemning Others we should
think there may be some temptation
that may successfully assail me.
| The same sun makes the beautiful
flower and the ill smelling carron. We
may be either the flower or the carron.
| The test comes to Isabella. Her
brothers life is at stake. Her sin would
save his life. Is it right to do evil that
good may come? Is it right fo do
little evil that great good may come. or
that great evil may be prevented?
Paul was confronted with the same
question.
| Good sense condemns man for doing
any wrong no matter what the results
might be.
The bible says, Thou shalt not sim. y"
! When the test comes TO Claudio as to
which is preferable; To suffer death
for crime or live life of dishonor at
! first he thinks death is preferable till
the opportunity comes for him to let
| his sister sin that his life may be saw
ed then he shrinks and says:
Ay but to die and go we know not
where,
To lie in cold obstruction and to rot;
This sensible warm motion to becom.
A kneaGed clay: and the delighted
spirit
To bathe in fiery flood, or to reside
! In thrilling regions of thick rubbed ice,