7
THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, DECEMBER, 1. 1898.
Reciprocity.
BY D. G. CROW.
“Come, let us reason together.’’
Reciprocity, the law of social obli­
gation, is a most important factor
with regard to our relations to each
other.
Next to the words home, friends
and loved ones, it should be ever
near our hearts, for a neglect or dis­
regard for this law is as fatal to
happiness as the disregard of a
promise is to business. This word
and its meaning should be learned
in youth, and carried through life
as a safeguard against evil. It
would be a scapula worth wearing,
a protection more efficient than all
the dirks or firearms. Let us real­
ize that when we associate our­
selves together for mutual protec­
tion, comforts, and other benefits,
each must sacrifice some individual
right or privilege. Each concession
should bring a corresponding bene­
fit, each obligation an obligation or
service in return. To fail in ren­
dering such obligation, to refuse to
make such concession yet receive
the benefits thereof, is to break the
law of reciprocity. When you have
conceded such obligations as may
be required and fail to receive the
benefits therefrom, then society has
broken this law against you.
It is between individuals, how­
ever, that this law finds its greatest
use. Let us not omit to recipro­
cate favors, kindnesses, courtesies,
leaving no reason for suspicion of
our loyalty. The overlooking of
small obligations is destructive to
true happiness; conversely, atten­
tion to the fulfillment of these
small obligations brings forth a
well-spring of good cheer. It is not
the fulfillment of large obligations
that gives character to our lives,
for these we do not often have; but
it is the close attention to the small
concerns that makes up life’s ac­
counts. We can all agree that it
is just and right to return good for
good received. It is not so easy to
determine how evil should be treat­
ed. There is some difference of
opinion on this point. Our munic­
ipal laws seem to say every injury
should be compensated by the evil
doer. The Buddhas have said:
“ Recompense evil with good.”
Christ confirmed this policy when
he said: “Return good for evil.’’
Confucius said: “Recompense evil
with justice.” The latter policy
seems to leave a breadth of oppor­
tunity for the exercise o f judgment,
the which may result in returning
g o o d , but justice at all hazards; be­
sides, the criminal laws of all civil­
ized countries are based upon this
principle.
Experience has also
taught it. The universal law of
reciprocity, as stated by Confucius,
“Do not unto others what you
would not have them do unto you;”
or, as confirmed by Christ, “Do
unto others as ye would that they
should do unto you,” with the use
of judgment and conscience, is a
most excellent rule of conduct. Ac­
cording to this principle we should
AND
counteract evil from whatever
a n d in S ilv e r t o n ,
source it may come; we should like­
go to th e
wise give credit for good from what­ M a in S t r e e t
S ilv e r to n , O re
ever source it may spring.
We should lay aside prejudice
.CARRY A COMPLETE STOCK OE
and let in the sunshine of truth, if
it withers the dearest idol upon
which our hearts are set.
School
He who thinks freely and speaks
fearlessly is not conforming to this
S u p p lie s ,
law, unless he grants to others the
N E A R T H E B R ID G E ,
Books and
game liberty he himself enjoys,
AND B E ........................
whether he be father or son, teach­
.ionery.
er or pupil. This right should not
only be respected, but guaranteed
and defended; else the law of reci­
procity is not being fully carried Dealers in F ru its, Vegetables W e ll Fed a t a
out. We should be glad that this
and C onfectionery.
S m a ll P rice!
golden rule is not the exclusive
property of any one nation, people
or sect, but the property of the
world.
F0R$TNER’S ^ >
Let me implore you, Christian,
Jew, Moslem, believer, to regard it.
Be tolerant; he just; exercise pa­
tience and charity toward him or
her who cannot accept your pecu­
liar faith.
. . . IS INVALUABLE TO . . .
Let me implore you, Freethinker,
r p e n te r s an d J o in e rs , for m o rtis­
Theosophist, pagan, unbeliever, to ing, C a such
as lettin g in locks, as it tak es th e
be gentle, forbearing and regardful
of the convictions and opinions of place of chisel and g o u g e ; to
those who are sincere, though they C a b in e t M a k e r s ,
inlaid work>
may be in error, for this is the law dow elling, p atch in g , rem oving sp lits and
of reciprocity. .Each desiring the knots. In fact, no wagon or p a tte rn m ak e r,
love and respect of others, should m an u fa ctu rer of pianos, organs, sew ing m ach in es, ag ric u ltu ral im p lem en ts, sas i.
give it freely, but not at the sacri­ b linds, fu rn itu re , nor ANY O T H E R W OOD W O R K E R , should he w ith o u t it.
fice of honor and self-respect. Each
AS A MACHINE BIT IT IS UNEQUALED.
should expect consideration and
It is th e only round b it in th e world th a t
regard from the other, but neither
will bore a
can afford to purchase it at the
price of honesty and fidelity.
The loss is too great to neglect
these priceless obligations. He or
an d do all th a t any o th er b it will do.
she who permits dogma to blind
PRICES.
the judgment, or selfishness and
Set of five, d ifferen t sizes, p o s tp a id .. .$2.60
prejudice to rule the heart, not only
Single b it, p o s tp a id ........................................ (’0
loses the esteem and love of societv,
but is deprived of much happiness.
A hearty reciprocation of gentle
A ddress, LIBERAL UNIVERSTY CO.,
words and kind deeds is the great­
S il v e r t o n , O e r q o n .
est security to peace and love.
Like the soft breeze and sunshine,
they bring the May days of joy and
sweet contentment.—[Progressive
Eclecticism.
HEN^HUNGRY
KINNEV
PORTER
S ilverton
R e sta u ra n t....
Auger Bit
SQUARE
HOLE
A Relic of Ignorance.
C oncluded from 1st page,
to manhood as though ho were not
God at all—this history, full of ab­
surd wonders, devils, magicians,}
and evil spirits, rather fit for an
Arabian Night’s legend than the
word of God to his people—this his­
tory, with its miraculous raisings
of the dead to life, disbelieved and
contradicted by the people among
whom they are alleged to have been
performed; but, nevertheless, to be
accepted by us today with all hu- i
mility—this history, with the man-
god subject to human passions and
infirmities, who comes to die, and
prays to his heavenly father (that
is, to himself) that he will spare
him the bitter cup of death — who
is betrayed, having himself, before
he laid the foundations of the
world, predestined Judas to betray
hitn, and who dies, being God im­
mortal, crying with his almost dy­
ing breath, “My God! my God!
why hast thou forsaken me?”—[A
Few Words About the Devil.
*
O FFER ED T O YOU
Actual Cost!
ADOLF W OLF & SON
Silverton, Oregon
T ry th e Torch for Job w ork