Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1880 — PERSONAL OPINIONS. [ARTICLE]

PERSONAL OPINIONS.

Emprtmti bf Zfpkemiab Eerthtmikofer. IN TBODUCTOKY OPINIONS. Un.atnrml 4c«di do breed unnatural trouble*; Infected minda to their deaf pillow* will Discharge their *ecreW- —Ska tmptar*. Engaging to write a series of articles for a weekly newspaper without having first settled upon some definite “liue of thought” reminds us of a friend who et.tcred into a matrimonial alliance without any visible means of support. But shall we say to tbe readers of the Republican that has not been said a thousand times? Let’s tackel the churches, the various Christian denominations; puncture their imperfections and hold ’em up to a sin-loving world that all may know what is, or rather what is not being done for the salvation of souls. But no, we dare not hinder the gospel or in any way dis-cour-gi- the laborers in the Lord’s viuey aid, loi ;mpiiii’hough it be, the com •- ti e nglii of the world, andChrisii.,nity,“iikt a city >et upon a hill, cannot be hid.” Without the moralizing, christianizing influence of the Bible, the churches, the Christian people, America would-be as benighted as Africa and her people perhaps made more miserable. We’ll not discuss the imperfections of christi— no, not Christianity, for that is perfect—the churches, because no organization is likely to be -benefited by public ridicule or criticism, and no one but a fool will condemn nu evil, real or imaginary, public or private, unless he is able to suggest a remedy. Thai’s a pretty good thought and perhaps it will bear repeating with a closer application: It is safe to set a man down as a fool who condemns the enristian churches aud does not possess the ability or disposition to correct or assist In correcting, the evil.

It it- would be unjust to make publie the weakness of the church would we not be justified in ventilating the false modesty and windy benevolence of Masonry, GUld Fellowship, Knights of Honor, Good Templars, and other would-be secret organizations?; It is charged, you know, that Masons become indifferent to religion,land many have publicly remarked that “Freemasonry is a gqod enough religion for me.” Odd Fellowship stands charged with being a mone^y-mak-ing scheme, whereby the poor are made poorer and the rich are made richer, aud only one in twenty dies with his dues paid up, &c. The Knights of Honor, however it is comparatively a new organization, has also been lightly spoken of and classed with the modern lottery institutions, whereby ninety-nine men draw a blank and one a prize. The Good Tehtplars, as modest, unpretentious and unassuming as they are, could not escape the poison of the slanderer’s longue, and theirs is gossiped as a love-making organization, too much engrossed with Self and pride to extend a helping hand to a poor, besotted soul and assSst’him fro.tn a state of moral degredation and personal pollution to a Christian, footing beneath the tattered banner of temperance. Possibly these organizations, like the churches, have their imperfections, and what the “outsiders? say about them, may in a measure be true, but they must be classed among the thin--- h»> (from •• > >od and tliere-

tor*- • j-.i nxiire. Tlii.», oi * . ii opinion, and for nm* we tu-i.evH* that in ibis matter at least our opinion is correct, for it is ba.*< d upon this principle: Never condemn what you are unwilling or incapable of correcting, and never tear down what you cannot build up. Through public prints the merest nincompoop in the land can destroy moral structlres that required ages to create, but such calamities must be avoided If possible. Let’s repeat: Any tool can teardownbul it takes pn architect to erect! So you have our opinion on this matter—we should never knowingly tear down hut strive diligently to build up. And if this opinion was follow ed, what a happy people we would be. Humanity can truthfully sing: The faults of our neighbors With freedom we blame, , I But tax not ourselves When we practice the same. Perfection is the forerunner of true happiness, and happiness lures us on to the highest degree of moral excellence. Life has no pleasures unless those with whom we must associate are probf against the contaminations of sin; for to live tor self and yet look fur the joys that spring from a virtuous and self-de-nying life would be almost a divine impossibility.

Shakspeare says “A right judg~ ment draws profit from all things we see.” The great misfortune, arising from a disposition to judge others, and meddle with their affairs, consists in being void of genuine philauthrophy. Scavengers of reputation, who gather the faults, blemishes and infirmities of their neighbors for public exhibition, deserve . the punishment accorded demons. Devils blush and angels weep over 6uch dispositions. They are canker worms to a community, the bane of peace in society, and the foul blots of humanity. In our opinion the Almighty detests faultfinders, and like the drunkard, they shall have no part or lot id the kingdom of heaven. Brevity is said to be tbe soul of wit, and as wit is more generally sought after than intelligence, I will endeavor to be brief.