The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-17
1.-THE PRICE OF A SOUL

even those who minister to our spiritual
wants and, as our religious leaders, help
to fix our standards of morality, some
times prove unfaithful TO their trust. They
are human and the frnilties of man OBJ
scure the light which shines from within,
even when the light Is a reflection from
the throne of God. The ministers have
for>years considered the liquor question
moral question: and l would not chide
them for their ao.< ity: but I think too
little emphasis has been placed upon the
Importance of total abstinence Whether
Christian can drink in moderation
without harm to himself is purely a phys
ical question. and some Christians have
overestimated their ability to col4ln their
drinking within safe limits; but there is
moral question which is much larger.
namely, can a Christian afford to indulge
the appetite for drink IL his example
leads weaker men to ruin?
Then, too, we have not sufficiently con-
siderea mans social needs. Man must
have communion with his friends, and
we have left the saloon to furnish about
the only meeting place in the cities and
towns. Rooms should be opened where
men can meet with wholesome surround
ings and free from the temptations that
are ever present where men meet in a
room provided by one who has a pecun-
iary interest in cultivating an appetite
for drink
Not only does the soul question present
itself to individuals but it presents it
self TO groups of individuals as we'll
Let us consider the party. A political
RS
in fact, it is good in proportion as It's
ideal Is worthy and it's place in history
Is determined by its adherence to high
purpose. The party is made for its mem
bers, not the members for the party
and a party is useful therefore, only as
It is means through which one may
protect his rights, guard his interests
and promote the public welfare. The
best~service that a man can render his
party is TO raise his IDEALS lie basely
betrays his party's hopes and Is recreant
to his duty to his party associates who
seek to barter away noble party pur-
pose for temporary advantages or for the
spoils of office. Ii would be a reflection
upon the intelligence and patriotism of
the people TO assert, or even to assume,
that everla sting benefit could be secured
for a party by the Low Nering of its stand
ards He serves his party most loyalty
who serves his country most faithfully;
1t is a fatal error to suppose that a
party can be permanently benefited by
a betrayal of the nations interests.
In every act of party life and party
strife we weigh the soul. That the
people have right to have what
they want is a fundamental principle
| in free government. Corruption in
government comes from the attempt
to substitute the Will OF minority
for the will of a majority. Every
measure which comes up for consid-
GRAFTON involves Justice and injustice
right and wrong-and is, therefore,
question of conscience As justice
is the basis of a nations strength
and gives it hope of perpetuity and,
: as the seeds of decay are sown when
} ever injustice enters into govern
ment, patriotism as well con-
} science leads us to analyze every
l public question. ascertain the moral
, principle involved and then cast our
: influence. whether it be great or
: small on the side of Justice.
The activities of politics center
about the >,ection of candidates to
office. and the official, under our
, system. represents both the party to
which he belongs and the whole body
of his constituency. He has two temp
tations to withstand: First. the temp
tation to substitute his own judgement
for the judgement of his constituents,
and second. the temptation to put his
pecuniary interests above the interests
of those for whom he acts. According
to the aristocratlc idea, the represent
ative thinks for his constituents ac-
cording to .ae democratic idea the
representativ~ thinks with his con-
stituents. representative has no
right to defeat the wishes of those
who elect him, if ne knows their wishes.
But a representative Is not liable to
knowingly misrepresent his constitu-
ents unless he has pecuniary interests
adverse to theirs. This is the temp
tation to be resisted--this is the sin to
beN avoided. The official who uses his
position to secure pecuniary advan
tage at the expense of those for whom
he acts is an embezzler of power-and
an embezzler of power is guilty of
moral turpitude as the embezzler of
money. There is no better motto for
the public official that given by Sol
omon "A good name is rather to be
chosen than great riches. and loving
favor rather than silver and gold" And
there Is no better rule for the public
official to follow than this--to do moth
ing that he would not be willing to
have printed in the newspapers next
day.
Perit me, in conclusion to say that
the nation, as well as the ils1ividual
and the party, must be measured by
its purpose, its ideals and its service.
Let him who would be chiefest among
you. be the servant of ALL" was intended
for nations as well as for citizens. Our
nation. Is the greatest in the world
and the greatest of all time. because 1t
is rendering a larger service than any
. other nation is rendering or has dend-
cred. IT is giving the world ideals In
education, in social life. in government
and religion. 1t is the teacher of nat
ions, 1t Is the worlds torch bearer.
Here the people are more free than
elsewhere to try all things and hold
fast that which is good; ito know
the truth" and to find freedom in that
knowledge. No material considerations
I should blind ug to our uatfon's mis-