| Show THE FORCE OF EXAM EXAMPLE ILM f THE comparative comp potency oi of example over precept is often illustrated in the present phase of the condition of the community tho I 1 latter has a surface sound W when bpi no P sustained I 1 by te abe former we feel deeply impress with the fact that instances ari are ti lee Q numerous of persons ignoring the claims of the community upon them for unequivocal examples it is abot so much the precepts of men that weigh upon the bulk of the people in directing their course as their acts A considerable proportion of the p popo no lace are disposed to govern gavern their con duct by the doings of others rather than the theories advanced by the latter nhep there is a plain variance between ac tion and pret precept pt agh a popular popular basis I 1 la linta intrinsically coly 1911 an and may be used users Is a pere mere asci 00 yar taking a questionable course when selfish desire points that way but bat the tact exists and will be taken into account by every intelligent man of ef la in fluence in shaping his own line of age ac on i eat ahe be like unto the tree which onh h produces eau fruit introduced as a simile by the savior pailor it will be sen seen from th this m stand that it to not only the spiritual wrong that may ay result to the actor himself by seeking his own advantage advant ate by any line of el action but bat also and emphatically so the consequences that will accrue at large not only this but it is well ta take into account the loss of personal power for good la in every direction of the individual who places himself in either a real or apparent po position of inconsistency la in this regard how forcibly the injunction of toe the ancient apostle corner comes home florae to the effect that we should shun the very appearance of evil the reason tor for this thia avoidance of wrong or its seeming is that the acts of men have one of two effects upon popular sentiment they either debauch or purify it As a brotherhood the latter day clay saints are not I 1 justified in seeking becking personal gain to the injury of et the community in part or as a whole many men who probably mean well make e a grave rave mistake in governing their cong conduct act by circumstances on the surface and immediately in view in place of ascertaining the higher jaw involved and being guided by that when the latter course is taken a person may under existing conditions when many men are none too particular about the rights of their neighbors be compelled to trudge along in ia comparative para tive poverty but he will never f lose 1 se his own self respect and is never driven to resort to sophistry in order to deceive himself into the delusion that he is strictly upright according to the gospel standard when he ae speaks von upon principles by which professed followers of 0 christ should be governed the e chips do not torture e find and darken his ate mius by flying bock back in his fate ace it la Is not needful that he should pause tor for breath and explain something he has done to render it on the surface in keeping with the theory he be adva advances aces his statements are accepted because b cause the harmony between his bis theory and conduct must remain unchallenged such a man is wealthy in the true sense of the term the present phase of things when men are tempted that they may become refined after the manner of guld gold exhibit some interesting subjects for reflection to the of el mental and gospel philosophy one man will explain bis big far or taking a certain course which on general principles may be open to question from the higher standard erected by the redeemer and guri announce ounce that his bis cou con science is clear qu the subject the aino erity rity ot of the individual making this e enunciation nun clation may not be ba open to reflection then there is perhaps another who has beba similarly tempted whose circumstances would afford a much freater justification than he be of the former example he resists the temptation because he is unable to see where he be could be justified thus imperceptibly perceptibly in perhaps circumstances arise le that produce classifications in the midst of tile the people of a more striking character tian those of wealth the latter having no re terenee to the eternal principles involved in n the grandest philosophy ever tor for mans mails acceptance the truths of which christ was waa the great exemplar it if a given neveu course is detrimental to the he community no person who values the interest of tile the brotherhood above his bis own personal advantage will give it aid ever every y person who acts in unison with the una 1149 that must ehst necessarily lead to discomfiture directly or indirectly contributes his bis quota toward swelling the stream that will inevitably produce a disastrous flood to that extent he must be responsible for the appalling consequences |
