Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1919-12-25

portuniiies are effective Of most
serious moral liabilities. We're
there no assets TO measure against
these liabilities we might justiii-
ably wish that Providence had not
needed our request for q prolong-
alton of existence. But here we
are, face 10 face with the newt
able. The liabilities have aecumu-
lated and the consequent RESPONSE
bility is tremendous. The account
of il is staggering. No wonder
We are 50 reluctant in reviewing
The ledger. But honesty is the
safest policy, SO, let us be honest
with ourselves ia this matter.
Perhaps to turn to the counter
page of the ledger where are re-
corded the assets. if there be any,
We shall feel a little encouraged.
Lei ms see.
The Assets
First. lei us turn to the social
column. Here's a record if count
eracting effect, if enumerations
count. But before we can judge Of
their merit we must determine, il
possible, the hand that made the
record. II ii is of human inscrip-
ton il necessitatcs close inspec-
ton, for we are too apt TO attrib-
nte to ourselves credit for social
matters which do not possess NOR
al merit. However, let us hope for
tie best against the uncertainty of
this matter, and trust that much
Of it, al least, win help in the as
set budget.
We next turn TO the column of
beneyolences. This, too, offers an
encouraging aspect. There is
long succession Of account of acts
Of charity and benevolencc. They
represent contributions to many
worthy causes, both local and dis
tant. In figures they represent a
high character and a liberal spirit.
But, again, by whom is the record
niadeY Upon a close inspection ii
may be seen that the favorable as
pect is quite deceiving. 1t all may
have human touch as TO reflect
credit where no real merit exists.
But since we do not possess pow
crs sufficiently fine and discrimi
mating to Judge Of the actual qua
lily of such matters, we must leave
it as il stands, in hope of its firal
approval.
Finally, let us examine the
spiritual column of the ledger.
This may be noticed to have n diff
fcrent construction from the 9th
ers. II is departmentally arranged
AS to provide for full record of
the individual attitude toward
every means Of grace. Here re-
cord of attendance at the Sabbath
services is made. Also of the IN
tercst shown in the privilege of Sc
cret devotion, Of scripture study,
of the mid-weeek devotional serv-
ices. Yes. the attitude toward
every spiritual interest is care
fully recorded.
How does this matter appear I'M
der close inspection in the light Of
a normal conscience and an hon
est judgmentf We shall not at
tempt to answer the question.
OF coarse, since it is whole
years record there must be some
account of these matters standing
TO our credit. Condemning indeed
it is if there is even one depart
ment of this spiritual column
a blank. But what must lie the
condemnation if all are blank.
The possibility is so awful as that
we dare not contemplate it. To
think of the possibility of a whole
year gone, aye, possibly many
years having passed, and the most
vital things of life so neglected as
that none of their merit stands to
our credit. The possibility of such,
we say, is fraught with torment.
But with this, too, we must hope
for the best. It's an individual
matter, and the responsibility
must be individually assumed.
Many matters Of detail might
be mentioned, but they all come
under on of the three heads con-
sidered.
Let us bear in mind at this point
that our assets do not consist so
much in what we possess as in
what we do not have. The things
of greater inert standing to our
credit in the ledger of life, if, per-
chance. there is anght Of such
there, are the things beyond our
present reach. They represent
the things lost rather than gain
I 4. l..