The Meeker herald., 1914-05-16


conform our life to the will Of our
Creator. This 10 the only freedom
that gives tho soul energy and i'm
mortal hope. Christian religion has
cleared our doubts - to the freedom
Of the will, the Immortality Of the
soul, the existence Of personal God
and our accountability to Him ~
our Maker, Father and Judge. II
declared that our destiny ~ human
beings 10 TO be with him In Heaven
forever. Thus on one hand It has
vindicated our dignity and pro-
claimed our worth BY setting upon
the human soul value which can
not be weighed In silver or gold. But
on the other hand 1t has established
or increased our responsibility BY
making known and enforcing our
duties not only to the state but also
and flrst Of all to God; and the better
Christians you will be, the more
faithful, loyal and true, you will re-
main to your country's flag. Al long
~ your liberty 10 blended with and
directed by Christian principles 1t
will not degenerate into that indi-
vldualism, selflshness, licentiousness,
which 10 the usual characteristic Of
Goddess men.
What IL said Of freedom applies TO
virtue. Christian religion attaches
no value or Importance to esthetic
refinement deprived Of goodness Of
character. The man in rags, without
polish or culture, who loves and
practices Righteousness, hates evil,
loves God and his fellowman 10
real diamond, however rough It may
be-; while refinement, without the
rectitude Of the will, purity of heart
and . good conscience, 10 , false i'm
itation because 1t Is made of self
complacency, pride and vanity. But
II culture IL added to goodness Of
character 1t has real value and 10 pos
sessed of genuine beauty, because 1t
10 . reflex. However pale Of the
truth, goodness and beauty Of God
Himself. Not only has Christian re-
ligion given the true conception of
virtue, but 1t offers model for i'm
itation. We do not have to study the
theories OF men to know what virtue
means. We have an example OF per-
lection in the person Of the Redeem
or of men. II the brilliant specula-
lions Of ancient wisdom are Of little
Importance when compared with the
Gospel. every noble face that history
has preserved ~ an honor to man
kind, becomes pale and disappears
before the moral beauty Of Christ
Az to knowledge, my dear friends,
recall the words Of sixteenth
csntusry philosopher: "In my time
and country" said Montaigae,
"knowledge cures the sickness Of the
purse fairly we'll that Of the souls not
Ct an; knowledge without viftd{ 10
harmful" It IL not In my mind 70
pass any remark In regard ID .
country, Why is yovrs by birth sud
mine by loyalty Of sentiments, but I
may apply the reflection Of
Montaigne to the faults Of the age.
Great 10 the number Of those men
who are fairly successful in building
. healthy purse while their souls are
sick unto death. They are led by the
cheap, shallow, bsse''idea that it 10
better to possess than to become.
Their personality developes into
something distorted, abnormal and
monstrous and II they are not moral
wrecks in the sight of men they are
In the eyes Of God.
Let your knowledge accept the d.
rection, restraint and sweet yoke Of
the Gospel my friends. Such re-
straint has been accepted with faith,
hope and love by most Of the illus
trious men whose names are written
In letters of gold In the front pages
Of philosophy, science and littera-
ture. Never allow your knowledge
to take out of life the joys that are
not pure and clean. Whatever suc-
cess you will have with the things Of
this world, you will make the most
Of this life by harmonizing, eleya-
ting and shaping 1t In such . way ~
to expect with confidence the joys
that shall be eternal. This IL to pre-
serve to the present phase Of our OK
istence its meaning, value, purpose,
force and beauty. Then life will he
what you make 1t and your will make
it what 1t IL intended to be. God bless
you.
Decoration Day Exercises