Editorial December 11, 1902 Issue

Who Spoke?

THE words we listen to, how much less important are they than the words we speak?

Should a man charge us with hypocrisy, forgery, theft, or any other moral obliquity of which we knew ourselves to be innocent, how promptly and emphatically we would deny the charge; and no amount of implication, suggestion, or open accusation could make us waver. We know our inherent honesty of deed and purpose, and there is no resultant disturbance. Now upon what is our denial based? Upon self-knowledge.

Daily, numberless suggestions, just as false, quite as vicious, and far more subtle present themselves to us, and they speak something after this manner: "I'm completely discouraged. I see nothing ahead but financial ruin. Beggary stares me in the face." Do we rise in indignation and deny this suggestion? Do we bravely face the thief who would rob God's child of his heritage—the consciousness of his sonship? Do we say, "I know the riches of my Father, and nothing can make me afraid?" Do we? or do we rather listen to the tempter, take up the refrain, and argue with the enemy against our own case?

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