Arizona republican., 1921-10-17

Taking as his text He thanked God and took courage (Acts 2S:D. Bishop J. w. Atwood delivered the following sermon Sunday, Oct. g, at Trinity cathedarl on Courage"
 The element of courage appeals to us almost more strongly than any other characteristic in human nature It is not necessarily the highest vir- tue. It, in fact, may have no moral quality attached to it. but, none the less, in it's lowest or in it's highest forms it always calls forth our deep admiration and our heartfelt appre- citation. The lack of it in any man makes us despise him. He lacks TO- business, true manliness. We respect courage in nations and in individuals when it is even disassociated from moral qualities.
 Through the long centuries stretch ing back to a period that antedates the beginning of the Christian era, the whole world, eastern and west ern, has been thrilled with the old classical story of the three hundred brave Spartans who defended the pass into Thermophle until only one survivor was left. The song of that golden deed of fatherIess devotion to country and high physical courage has resounded down through the ages giving undying fame to the little Greek mountain for the bravery there displayed. This national character istic of courage made Greece strong and invincible in her earlier and sim pier days.
 Our own national history is full of such experiences, of personal and of united courage on a large and on a small scale. illustrated in the war of independence which thrilled and moved and inspired the hearts and arms of the descendants of the Rev oluionary heroes and their brave compatriots through the trying and tragic days of the great Civif war That this national characteristic has not been entirely lost has been re- vealed to the men of this generation in many a gallant deed recorded in the great World war.
 When we tmn from national cour- age, which has shone forth in heroic achievements with which history is crowded, indicating that this element of courage has made those nations strong and powerful where it was most eXemplified; when we turn from this phase of courage to the same spirit illustrated in individual CdStS. we lli1 ALE dAtiAlll dllOu anu applause of men hardly. less intense and profound. No matter what the deed is, if it is an act of courage we praise the man who does it without regard to other qualities. I am afraid we sometimes have a respect for physical courage which we should not have when it is associated with cruelty and foolhardiness, when. in fact, it is extremely selfish and has for it's object only self qualification and laudation.
 The courage of the prize fighter, for example, is purely physical and of low type that is degrading in its manifes,e ton, as well as cor rupting to the individual character.
 Saint Paul has somewhere spoken of the duty of adding to ones faith, courage. Here comes in a moral quality which gives a new beauty and meaning to the word At first thought we may be a little surprised as we were when the great apostle classed Hope with Faith and Charity or Love, as the three cardinal Chris tian virtues. But a little thought will convince us that Hope and Cour- age both must be notes struck by the disciple If he follows the exam pie of hls Master, who was a man ot infleXible hope and of supreme cour- age. We must have faith if we are to nave the strongest and best kinC of courage. It is a faith in ones country that makes a man coura- geous and alert to do his best fol that country We need to have faitf in our country in it's aims. in it's re- responsibilities, in it's duties I do no' mean a blind and minimizing faith which, like some peoples religion: faith, has no foundation because it is not built upon reason and convic- ton. The man who has this nationa faith may see the mistakes that hi: country or it's rulers are making; h, may deplore the corruption tha crops out now and then. He may de spise the heartless and selfish man ner in which men high in position il the national counsels are seekin: their own aims and well being rath | CT than the well being of the nation and yet preserve, clear and strong 1 his abiding faith in the destiny am ! the final redemption of his country |