Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-10

Text: Thou shalt do no murder
Exodus: IS.
Life is sweet and common justice de-
mands that we should not take that
which we are unable to restore. Who
In all the wide, wide world has ever
been able to restore life to a person who
has been robbed of life? Cod knew
that sin would make murder. When
Abel's offering was more acceptable in
the sight of Deity than Gains, Jealousy
sprang up and caused the first murder.
Here in the very beginning of human
history in the first family occurred
fFatricide, and wherever passions run
high and sin leaves its trail, it is highly
essential that life be protected by every
means available. The Creator under
stood how lightly we would value a hu-
man life, and so expressly commanded
that We should do no murder Thou
shalt not kill'' has been the only obsta-
Gle between many a man and eternity
Were it not for the fact that ii is wrong
and that it is forbidden in no uncertain
terms by God, our papers would hardly
be able 10 carry enough pages TO chron-
icle the murders that occur over this
wide world from day 10 day. AS il is,
human life is valued entirely too light
~. A few dollars will suffice to-day to
induce a man TO Kill another Judas
betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver,
and men place even smaller values upon
their fellows to-day than Judas did upon
the Redeomer. The mob spirit shows
how excitement can prevail over rea-
son, and We mob to death about as
many people annually as we legitimate
ly execute
Prohibits Homicide and Suicide.
Christ re-emphasizes this command in
Matthew V. 2l-e2: ''Ye have heard that
it was said 10 them Of old time, Thou
shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill
shall be in danger Of the judgment, but
] say unto You that every one who is
angry with his brother shall be in dam
ger Of the Judgment; and whosoever
shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be
in danger OF the council, and whosoever
shall say. Thou fool, shall be in dan
ger Of the he'll Of fire"
The first murderer was branded and
sent out into the world 10 become fu-
gitive and a wanderer. And to-day, as
soon as murder is committed, the one
who does the awful deed seeks TO flee
at once, and get away from the place.
Conscience continually haunts, and the
memory Of the foul and disgraceiul deed
baunts one like some dread specter until
life ceases to be worth while If then
homicide is prohibited. then even more
so must suicide be forbidden. To de-
stroy ones self. TO strike the body dead
with a member Of the body, 10 usher
ones own soul out into eternity, when
God has panty commanded against II,
certainly is crime almost tuconceiya-
bic TO the normal mind, 70 be too cow
ardly to face this life, which is but OF
short duration, surely argues not wei
when one faces eternal life with all Of
it's attendant Developments, Men may
work themselves 10 death. or carelessly
bring about an end to their existence.
God gave us brains with which TO think
and expects us TO use them in the pres
ervation of lie and in building up life
and making it what lie has legitimate
right 10 expect from every man. TO SUI
eide sins against God and self
Not Kill Reputation.
II is impossible to overestimate char-
acter. And next TO character and life
STANDS reputation. People seem 20 be
unconscious Of the fact th-t reputation
stands guard over character and that
when reputation is slain by ruthless
hands the outer defenses OF character
have been taken and the approach mace
a thousand times more easy. Men Nil
a reputation who would not dare XII
man. and yet they are marVelousiy close
Kin. A cultured beautiful girl comes
into a community, and is beloved by
all Not a breath against her. some
evil-mfnded person begins to insinuate
without any possible grounds against her