Article November 5, 1904 Issue

Character

WILLIAM P. MC KENZIE.

It is quite evident that changes for the better in the world are to be wrought by the betterment of individual character. The unit in society has been termed the family, and it is considered as important to prevent the disintegration of the family, as it would be to prevent the individual bricks in a building from crumbling. Hence the laws formulated for the protection of the family in all ages; and the fact that in history we have many records of waning power, and even extinction, for nations that disregarded the basic truths which these laws were intended to safeguard. Sometimes the guild or association has been looked upon as the unit, and for the welfare of one guild measures have been adopted which were disadvantageous to others. When the viewpoint is selfish, the Golden Rule will be reversed, whether by a trade guild, or by the larger and more composite union called a nation.

When all is said, we recognize that we have to deal with men and women, and children too, separately and individually, and that the progress of reform must be worked out by bringing them one by one into sympathy with the law of Life illustrated by Christ Jesus. Where was the right method of dealing with the individual better interpreted in action than by that interview which Jesus had with the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well? Leaving the sin in her life to be condemned by herself, and appealing to her capacity to understand spiritual things, he opened out to her the truth regarding God and man just as earnestly as do they who seek "the applause of list'ning senates to command," yet his audience was at that time one individual, and she a woman with none too good a reputation. By the saving of that one woman, however, he saved all who have since been blessed by the truth promulgated to her. Thus we see how betterment for man as a whole comes by betterment of a man as an individual, and the change does not need to be in his circumstances so much as in his character.

When a right character has been formed it will show in this, that decisions will be made in harmony with Principle, and not in view of transient self-interest. The man who can be influenced by a bribe is foolish as regards himself, and dangerous in the community,—for the briber gives to the few, expecting by their help to take again from the many. The proverb remains true, "Fools make a mock at sin;" but there is also a promise in Scripture regarding the timidity of culpable men in the presence of one who is honest, "One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you." This has been illustrated when one true man in a city has caused hundreds of wrong-doers to tremble and many to flee, simply by having courage to enforce law. Here courage and character are as one, both being reliance upon the permanent whereby man may reflect the changeless and eternal God. When all men are courageous in trusting to good as Principle, when they are characterized by actions manifesting that which is enduring and God-sustained, then happiness is of necessity universal and permanent.

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