The Moral Basis of Practical Efficiency.
EVERYBODY recognizes the value of morality in the sphere of morals; but not everybody recognizes the surpassing value of morality in the varied spheres of practical efficiency in every-day life. Yet the moral basis is as truly a source of power in the laborer who pounds paving-stones in the street, as in the minister who expounds gospel truth in the pulpit. No one gives hearty credence to a preacher of morals who is himself known as immoral. No one feels that such a man is fit to be a preacher. Indeed, there is hardly any suggestion of Paul more widely accepted by men of the world, as peculiarly appropriate to the instructor in morals, than his pungent questions: "Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?" Nor does any one want a man in any line of practical performance, who lacks morality at the pivotal point of his personal duty just there. A band of robbers would want an honest treasurer. And a conclave of assassins would want to be sure of the unimpeachable fidelity of every accomplice. So all the way up and down the ranks of busy life. The results of morality at one point or another are deemed indispensable in every instance. But the error is in supposing that a moral basis is not requisite for practical efficiency in any and every sphere of duty. A moral purpose, a controlling moral conviction, gives added force to the words and to the actions of any man in any sphere. It is not that he can have no power without it. It is not that he can never appear to an advantage with its lack. But it is, that its possession gives an increased potency to his best work, and to his poorer; and that it secures a trustworthiness and a uniformity to his endeavors, not otherwise attainable. You feel the moral purpose of a writer, or a speaker, in behalf of any cause, anywhere. It thrills in his writings, it sounds in his spoken appeals. You cannot have an abiding confidence in a lawyer or a physician whose morals you distrust. Unless you can believe in him as a man, you cannot unfailingly believe the words of his counsel. And who wants an assistant, or a servant, who cannot be left without watching? It is not even possible for a man to act always on the conviction that "honesty is the best policy," unless there is a moral basis to his conviction. There are many times when honesty does not seem to be politic; when, indeed, the right course seems to be the more dangerous course; and then it requires faith in order to believe in the policy, in the prudence, in the safety, of doing just right—and taking the risks. A moral basis is essential to constancy in keeping up a fair show before the world; for the temptation is, sooner or later, very strong, to defy even appearances in the hope of a proffered gain. Unless, therefore, the man is sound inside, his unsoundness is in constant danger of working out to the surface. It is the basis, not the superstructure, of practical efficiency, that is found in the moral status of the man. It is because the man is an honest man at heart, that he is sure to be a trustworthy treasurer; not that he does well because he consents to be honest while acting as a treasurer. It is because the man lives for a high purpose, that he will show his superior character in every act and relation of life; not that he sees an advantage in well-doing where he is for the time being, and therefore adheres to the precepts of morality in that sphere. It is not the slavish obedience to the letter of the law, in the immediate realm of his service; but it is that love of right which is the fulfilling of the law, that gives a man practical effectiveness in proportion to his moral purpose of life. A moral purpose in life shows itself in a higher standard of morals all the way through. The lack of a moral purpose is indicated in little things and in larger. And the lack of a moral purpose, however indicated, points to a corresponding lack of practical efficiency. The young man who goes to balls or to the theater, who drinks wine or beer, or who smokes cigars or cigarettes, is not worth so much, hour by hour, or day by day, to his employer, for the posting of accounts, for the selling of goods, for the setting of types, for the handling of a surveyor's chain, or for any other work in city, or in country, or on the sea, as if he had a higher moral standard, and conformed to it. And wise employers are recognizing this fact on every side. Many a young man fails of employment, or of promotion, when he seems otherwise well fitted for usefulness, simply because his conduct in such matters shows him to be lacking in that high moral purpose which is the surest basis of all practical efficiency in life. It would be well if more young men realized that in fitting themselves for the business of life—fitting, in college, in the counting-room, in the factory, or on the farm—they have chief need to secure a moral basis of conduct, and that that basis of conduct can be secured only in character. Character indicates itself in little things; but it tells in all things.—Sunday School Times.