“The downfall of Rome was not due to a lack of bravery of the soldiers, of brilliancy of their scholars. The Grecians sank from their high place to one of the lowest in honesty and integrity. The Empires of Charlemagne and Louis XIV and VI fell in almost one generation from the highest position to the lowest generation. We need not think that our nation is safe from moral deficiency. Today its moral condition is the worst ever known in history. God has sone us that it is not his fault. Plenty of folks like to put the fault on the coming of the automobile or something else. But deeper than this lies the trouble. One big thing is our people are not living up to the knowledge they have. Everything must have a great foundation. . . morality not wealth, but upon honesty. La man isn’t fit to govern or rule if he isn’t honest.
Statistics from the school census show a decrease in honesty. In the city of Chicago 64 per cent of the school children are dishonest by their own acknowledgment. If you would build a good citizen, first have him honest; if a great preacher, president, home-maker, have him honest. “I’d rather be right than President,” said one of the greatest men who ever filled that chair.
Another great cause of these conditions is the entry of women into public offices. Now I know that some of you ladies will be angry with me, but let me tell you, women, men have brought shame upon us, and you will not be helped by trying to do the things that men do.
Every success in life must be obsessed by a great passion, a great love for another, which throws aside every fiber of selfishness, or a great sorrow. Sorrow is so close akin to love that there can be no sorrow unless there is love.
Then the prophet brings before you the arrogant rules. Watch him as he grinds his subjects; does anybody admire him? But look at the merciful man with pitying eye and brave heart, who would give up his life if necessary, to lift up broken humanity, and heal wounded hearts. Do all you can, not to lift up self, and smile in your own comfort but weep with those who weep, and rejoice with that do rejoice, and forgive—forgive!
God has never like arrogance. No nation has ever gotten by with it, and we needn’t think that we are going to get by with it. Humanity has ever been the test. “O God, what am I? Just a little speck upon the sands of time.”
So the care for moral laxity is use the knowledge God has given you, be honest, be merciful, be humble, and walk in the admonition and fear of the Lord.
From the editorial page of the Goldsboro News, Tuesday morning, Aug. 10, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93064755/1926-08-10/ed-1/seq-4/
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