The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-07-08
The PEOPLES FORUM.
the Editor of The Republican:

Sins.
do not recall anything of the article
except the sins mentioned which | carry
with me by taking the first letter of
each one and forming two words. But
like other men know too much about
this deadly brood, so I'll give some
thoughts upon them which l trust may
help your readers to avoid this crowd
and fight them with all their might and
main.
First of these we mention Pride, pri-
mary sin, the first we know anything
about. By it angels fell from their holy
estate. The word means to aim at
what is above. However, desire for
what IS above is not pride. That may
lead TO improvement. If one refuses to
join in an uncOmely game, she is re-
preached as proud though her modesty
is both beauteous and virtuous. Zeal in
religion may be called pride, though
that does not make it so.
There is an element of falsehood in
pride. 1t claims what it does not pos
sess. We deny and ignore the claims
of others, that our own may be pre-
eminent. We are apt to hate those
who estimate as exactly at our worth
1t overreaches itself and so falls as
cruel Hannah did. 1t makes US defiant
as Herod, though we are not all eaten
with worms as he was. Maybe that is
why we do not think it of any impor-
lance, or fiatter ourselves there is no
danger since we escape the worms 1t
makes men presumptuous as it did
Uzziah who dared to turn incense upon
the altar, which duty belonged to the
priests alone. 1t is quarrelsome and
reyengeful and will be punished, though
we may not be driven out to eat grass
as was king Nebuchadnezzar. The
proud in heart shall be brought low.
We like to be proud of the gifts of
fortune Jeshurum waxed fat and
kicked But he kicked himself harder
tlan Anybody else. Those VINO sudden
ly get rich are often eXtravagant and
insolent. They will snub their old
friends. in tie vanity of their minds,
not realizing that any fool can do that.
Some will even feel proud of their
spiritual gifts. Then they join the
ranks of the Pharisees, who were OBJ
noXious to the Saviour. Pride goeth
before destruction and naughty
spirit before fall" pride of power
shall come down" God crowns with
mercy; but a swollen head is not fit to
have the crown placed upon it.
There's pride Of dress, though the
thought that we are indebted to the
dumb animals for our fine clothes should
prevent senseless pride from asserting
Itself. Some are proud Of their pretty
face. Though it Is something to be
thankful for and very attractive it
should not excite pride. Race pride is
about as contemplate as we can i'm
aglne. Proud of their ancestry. It's
a great blessing to have good ancestry,
but those who are proud of their an
cestry may be like potatoes. How so?
Why, the best part of them is under
the ground.
Pride is born IN US and win not die be-
fore us. But We can and must conquer
it. 1t aroused Naaman's pride to be
told to 20 wash in the Jordan to be
cured. How angry he was because the
prophet did not make big fuss over
him, the great general, and say fine
speech and paaver and fatter his pride.
The profit knew the vanity o. his
patient He must be humbled, so he
bid him 90 and wash himself. How it
stung! General Naaman need to be
washed! Then why didn't he send him to
ALBANIA or Parphar instead Of this insig-
nifcant Jordan I'll notg Very well.
Naaman, you don't have to. You can
hold on to your Ieprosy and your pride
if you choose.
On the suggestion of his little maid
he conquered his pride, obeyed the
prophet and was healed.
Anything that makes Us think more
Of God or our neighbor will help US
suDdue our pride, because the essence
of pride IS seltishness.
We forget that God gave US our
gifts. They are ali his. We are stew
ards and hence are to be ministers to
our fellows. Look at Moses, the meek
est man of the world. AT Knox. who
was so conscious of his unftness aud
weakness that he hid the first time he
was called upon to preach.
Who can stand by the cradle of the
son of man and feel the rankings of
pride in his bosom. Who can stand be
side the carpenter Of Nazareth and be
proud WHO can stand with the friend
of pubhcans and tolerate an element of
pride in his soul! Who can stand in
the shadow of cross and still be proud
An old adage says "A proud man is
always a foolish man. He has no
l.