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THE RRICE OF A SOUL. From the Commoner. (The following article was writ ten for a religious jieriodical but was refused publication because of the Rockefeller paragraph. Not being willing to omit that paragraph or to write for a pub lication that gave to Mr. Rocke feller’s business methods, even a negative endorsement, Mr. Bryan asked for the return of the article.) , , . What is a soul worth? This is not a new question; it was asked nineteen hundred years ago by One who coulu measure with accuracy the value ot the immortal pact of man. Christ presents an unanswerable argument when he inquires; “What shall it profit a man If he gain the whole world and lose his own soul. or. What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” . ... Is man ever tempted to part with this priceless possession? Is he ever tempted to put anything above it? The Master never wasted time or words. The fact that He called at tention to this subject is proof posi tive that the world needs the warning uttered hv Him. In complying w’ith the request ot the editor of the l°r a brief article. I do not know’ that I can do better than to suggest a few ways in which a sohl can be bartered away a id then point out the relative insig nificance of the things sought in ex change for it. Will a man put a price upon his soul? Probably not, if the proposition is presented to him bluntly, and yet many who would be indignant at the question if clearly stated do actually enter into negotiations, although sometimes they are scarcely aw’are of the nature of the trade. Tolstoy says that the crime begins not when the murderer takes the life of b*s victim, but far back when he decides to ignore the promptings of his conscience and to follow his selfish impulses—the final act being hut a natural result of his earlier determin ation. And so it may be said that a man puts a price on his soul when he deliberately prefers anything else to its highest welfare. Among the things that have been weighed in the balance against the soul may be mentioned money, social position and political power. Money deserves the first place because it not only tempts more people, but because it is often used to purchase both so cial and political prominence. So ruinous is greed that “love of money' has been described as “the root of all evil.” Certain it is that love of money has in a multitude of cases silenced conscience and never seemingly more than now. Mr. Rockefeller is at present the target of the paragraphers and he is probably the most conspicuous ex ample furnished by this generation of the man who' habitually stifles his conscience until it becomes too “sear ed” tfi be of service to him. He doubtless regards himself as a pious man; in fact, he is quite punctilious in attending upon the ordinary’ means of grace, and yet his life-record shows extraordinary moral obliquity. He has so long accustomed himself to putting money making above ethical consid erations that he can bankrupt a com petitor through the rebate system, bribe a college with a donation or evade a court summons with equal complacency. But Mr. Rockefeller is not alone in the use of indefensible business methods. He enjoys an odi ous pre-eminence, but he has many would-be rivals. Whenever a business man is caught in wrong-doing, -he is quick to reply: “They all do it.” While this indictment is too sweeping to be just, it must be admitted that there is entirely too much truth in the charge. Misrepresentation of wares, the adulteration of .foods, the palming (pff of “just as good” substitutes —these are the petty devices of trade. Then come the watering of stock, the un derselling of articles in one territory while the price is maintained or raised ••lsewhere. the manipulation of the market, etc., etc. Besides these, there are railroad discriminations, ex cessive rates, franchise grabbing, etc. Tfcis business dishonesty is not con fined to the ignorant. Professor James, of Harvard college, recently declared: “There is not a public abuse on the whole eastern coast which does not receive the enthusias tic approval of sojne Harvard grad uate.' The men who engage in dis h< ie:d practices in business have at some point in their lives considered Hie matter, and putting their con scientious scruples aside, have chosen to make the getting of money their chit f a:m. The lawyer lias tjie same tempta tions to meet: he has frequent occa sions to decide between his conscience and his nurse. When the citizen’s committee of Philadelphia was look ing for a lawyer to represent the peo ple in their fight against the gas com uanv. it found that all the prominent attorneys of the city were retained by that, company. These attorneys knew that they were selling themselves to a corporation which was not only robbing the city, but corrupting the ••lty’s representatives. Where were their consciences? And this is not an isolated case. President Roosevelt in a recent speech pointed out that in every city able lawyers are found who spend their time preparing schemes for the plundering of the public. And ‘•ach one of these lawyers at some time in his life decided to substitute the love of money for the law’ of con science. If the lawyers of the United States would refuse to prostitute their brains to the service of predatory wealth, it would not be long before exploitation would cease. Besides those who make a business of furnishing legal assistance regard less of more! considerations, there is another group of lawyers to which those belong who act as lobbyists for corporate interests. At every State capitol, there will be found lawyers of greater or less prominence who look after the distribution of funds or favors, intended to corruptly influence the leg'slators. At Washington, there is an unusual number of these, some of them adding the distinction of former public service to legal qualifi cations. Editors and publishers are also to he found in abundance, who, for pe cuniary considerations, make their papers the champions, of those who will pay for the service. Sometimes the editorial page is put at the dis posal of the corporations: sometimes only the news and advertising columns are sold. The promoters of a public steal often use the stock of their cor poration to bribe the newspapers. In nearly every large city, there are newspapers which are paid to fight municipal ownership and to excuse ind justify the practices of the public franchise corporations. Sometimes in a contest between these franchise owners and the public, nearly every important daily is subsidized, and yet the people have-often triumphed in spite of the influence of these papers. But what shall we say of the code of journalistic ethics that will tolerate this sale of a paper's influence? Even the advertising patronage has been known to influence the editorial policy of a paper. It is not a rare thing for an editor to refuse to publish a fact that he knows to be true, where the publication may array against him an influential business interest. College presidents and professors have some times been led to make their instructions harmonize >ith the views of those from whom they ex pect, or have accepted, endowments; and ministers have at times kept silent upon moral questions rather than jeopardize the contributions made by worldly-minded pew-holders. It the city ministers condemned gambling upon the stock exchange and in the grain pit as stdenuously as they con demn the smaller and less injurious forms of gambling it would not take long to put an end to the speculation which victimizes traders, ruins banks and drives so many to suicide. The desire to secure social distinc tion has led a multitude of men and women to disregard their higher in terests in order to conform to cus toms sanctioned by the exclusive set. If the teachings of Christ can be ac cepted as a rule of conduct—and what Christian can deny that they are the only rule —how jan the Christian justify a lavish expenditure on fash ionable dress and extravagant enter tainments when the money is sorely needed to help the poor, the sick and the distressed. There is no more stony ground upon which the words of truth can fall than that furnished by the heart of one who makes social distinction the aim of life. All of the pure and tender emotions are stifled by the selfishness of a life de- I voted to personal display and social success. [ Tt is not necessarv to elaborate the 1 methods employed by those who put ; political preferment above the inter ests of the soul. In times past, monarchs have not hesitated to take the life of any possible heir to the throne, and ambitious generals have marrhod to military eminence through the blood of thousands. Even today, we witness the ruthless slaughter or Russian peasants whose offense is that they claim a voice in the government under which they live. In republics, and in constitutional monarchies where legislative assemblies exist, we find two forms of surrender to evil: one is the corrupt use of money in elections. and the other is the advo cacy of things supposed to be popular which the conscience does not ap prove. i ' Corruption While disgracefully com mon lii,every part of the country is ai fnost Universally condemned, and. therefore, needs no spejal attention here. Not so much has been said, however. about the practice of making one’s views conform to the views of others for the purpose of securing po litical advancement. There are in numerable instances where men have changed their views Upon a public question in order to remain in public life or where they have changed their views- in going from one locality to another'. The man who, to promote his ambition advocates what he does not conscientiously believe to be right stands upon the Same plane with the business man who Violates his con science for trade advahtage and is a. fit companion for the lawyer, who sells his intellect to the highest bid der. And no better is the business man who advocates Whatever policy of government he thinks will bring the largest returns in his business, re gardless of the moral principles in volved in the policy. But enough has been said to show that in every department of life one is constantly tempted to put, selfish considerations above that which ap peals to his better nature, and what reward does lie secure? It is easier to discuss this question with the old than with the young, for those who are advanced in years are prepared to say with Solomon. that “all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Neither wealth nor social distinction nor yet political powejr can bring peace to the human heart or satisfy tile aspiration of man’s soul. The conscience “void of offense toward God and man” is the one possession which is above value, and no matter by what route one seeks __to escape from his conscience, he is doomed to disappointment at last. The asking of a question is a familiar form of argument, and no o.oe ever used this form of argument with more affect than (’hrist. Os all the questions pro pounded by Him no question goes more unerringly to the heart than this supreme one: “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” W J. BRYAN. Talks with Farmers By Prof. YV. F. Massey. Xe«- Uses for Asbestos. The finest asbestos known conies from the Grand Canyon of the Colo rado. It has long fibres that can be spun and woven into various fireproof fabrics. The latest adaptation of as bestos. according to Science, the week ly paper devoted to scientific matters, is to the making of shingles for the purpose of making fireproof roofs for buildings. It is stated that these are not only fireproof, but are far lighter than slate, and by their non-conduct ing chaiucter they keep the house cooler in summer and warmer in win ter than other shingles. Some day we may have the entire building, frame and all. of asbestos, and thus have a really fireproof house. How to Exterminate Cattle Ticks. The following is the gist of the bul letin on this subject, published by Dr. Tait Butler, of the North Carolina De partment of Agriculture, in May, 1903, the following of which has cleared a number of counties in that State of ticks and moved them north of the quarantine line. The engorged female tick drop from cattle and crawl under leaves, etc., on the ground, and soon lay from 1,500 to 2,500 eggs, which in very wurm weather hatch in three weeks, but may be delayed or stopped entirely by cold. The young seed ticks crawl in the grass ready to be taken off by the cattle, and if not cattle are I there they will perish in four or five] months. When they get on cattle theyj are full grown and ready to drop in, CAPITAL STOCK, - $30,000.00 .. Located in Two Thriving Cities of North Carolina. — : Chemical Co., Raleigh, X. C. of Business Practice Honor wn *■ ™ ■ HgHHh} *(£■ ’B§f|9l Typewriting, Shorthand and English Courses, 9 IjHn-Unexcelled in Business Schools. » MBlfc . A Reputation of 18 Years of Successful Work. Students occupying high positions in offices all The above is the record of KING’S BUSINESS M AI-COM L ABATER. COLLEGE, Raleigh and Charlotte. Book-keeper New Bern Cotton Oil ami Fertilizer Mills, New Bern, N. C. «. Gi-vmt. R. P. SNELL, MARY WICKER, FRED. M. BRADLEY, j Sten. Riverside Mfg. Book-keeper for the Sten. Cone Export and Book-keeper for Al- sten. Carolina Rice Cashier Bank of Old ... c , ... v ~ , _ . Co., Shore, N. C. Florida Hardware Co., Commission Co., fred Williams A Co. Mills, Goldsboro. X. C. Fort. 1u i-.ai-i-, i mate Jacksonville, Fla. Greensboro, N. C. . | See. to Pres, ami Book-keeper, | Elizabeth College, Charlotte. , 0 Send For Free Catalogue. We want your name and address at once if you are Interested in the study of business. We will semi yon our handsome New Catalogue and full Tear ofi the Coupon ami send it to the school you would like to attend, Raleigh, X. C.. or Charlotte, X. C. * ■ , 1 * . .. *• • ——— ! President King’s Business College: WE CLAIM NO MORE THAN WE DESERVE, AND I W. F. FARMER, I - \ ‘ • PROMISE NOTHING WE DO NOT PERFORM. , ! Dear Sir: —I have seen your advertisement in The News and I Book-keeper I. C. Mays & Co., Spring KING’S BUSINESS COLLEGE STUDENTS GET THE Hope. X. G. ; BEST POSITIONS BECAUSE THEY \RF THE BEST • Observer, and wish that youwould send me information in regard QUALIFIED. * s , ' ' _____________ i flßWßsei:£4>pfeg¥?lvf■ 1° y° ur school courses and cost ol‘ tuition. “THE FACULTY MAKES THE SCHOOL”; WE HAVE THE STRONGEST BUSINESS COLLEGE FACULTY IN truly NORTH CAROLINA. , WBSjSBp' MANY STUDENTS COME TO OUR COLLEGE AFTER Bfllfftp**' " *8 EXPERIMENTING WITH < HEAP JOHN BUSINESS r§ ! v . BEa, u. . Name COLLEGES. IT DOES NO’I PAY TO EXPERIMENT - ! / mmMm *5 * WITH A BUSINESS EDUCATION. THE BEST IS AL- I 5 " OUR GRADUATES ARE GIVEN THE PREFERENCE |hb|S|l.. O I . 5/oralil r ® i I have some friends who are thinking of attending a business AND COMMAND HIGHER SALARIES, BECAUSE THEY • ARE THOROUGHLY TRAINED B Y COMPETENT, g ; school. Their names and addresses are as follows: PRACTICAL TEACHERS. GROVER C. POOL, < THREE MONTHS IN KING’S BUSINESS COLLEGE IS Stenographer S. A. L. By., Raleigh. H . EQUAL TO SIX MONTHS IN MANY OTHER SCHOOLS j “ ® ! Xame • • —DUE TO OUR SYSTEM OF PERSONAL ATTENTION <\ KING’S BUSINESS COLLEGE, INCORPORATED, IS ; THE ONLY REGULAR BUSINESS COLLEGE IN THIS STATE INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA. WE WERE GIVEN THIS IN- | I FORMATION BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Address KING’S BUSINESS COLLEGE IS A SUCCESS, NOT AN KING’S IS THE ACKNOWLEDGED MODEL BUSINESS I Address MISS CUBA OAKES. I Sten. T. T. Hay AL Bro., Raleigh, N. C. ■ . four weeks, except in cold weather, when they stay much longer. None of the ticks crawl far, and a base board to a fence will stop them, but all wire will not. Ticks do not pass from one animal to another. Eggs laid before September Ist will hatch that fall, and unless they get on cattle, mules or horses that fall they will die before spring. Eggs laid in cold weather re main and hatch in spring, but no tick winters over. Then to rid pac tures of ticks, keep all cattle, horses and mules out of tick infested past ures, lanes and lots after September Ist, and all eggs previously laid will hatch and the seed ticks will starve. Divide the pastures by a fence with a board tight on the ground and keep stock out of one half after September Ist. The second year put the cattle on the half left vacant the previous year, and provide lanes and lots on . whicji no cattle ran the year before. THE DAILY NEWS AND OBSERVER If practicable burn the pasture over well in spring. Mix surphur with the salt for the cattle, one part sul phur with the salt for the cattle, one Part sulphur to three parts salt. Not later than April 15th grease the legs and under pa its of the cattle and re peat it once a week all summer, and at the same time look carefully for ticks, and pick off any found. The grease may be one part kerosene and two parts cotton seed oil. A little sul phur and tar will increase the pro long effect. Grease prevents the ticks getting on and kills those on by chok ing their breathing pores. If these directions are followed and the greas ing and picking carefully done, and no ticks allowed to drop during the wlarm season the effort will be a suc cess. Thj s last method is hardly prac ticable with large herds, but the first named will answer if carefully carried out. We hope that our readers in the South, and they are a host, will carefully study these dirsnoitcemn-c. . carefully study these directions and aid in the extermination of the ticks. The best way to bury your sorrow is to dig up another’s happiness. ENGRAVED Wedding: Invitations and Visiting cards Almost as Cheap as Printing. Write us. I'ii® Bell book ant! Stationery On Itiahmoud. Vt North Carolina Teachers: As the public schools are now opening the question of books will have to be considered. The work of your school should not he delayed for lack of books. If your local dealer does not have them, remember you can get them by return mail from Prices furnished on application, ou application. Alfred Williams ® Company RALEIGH, N. C. SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 24,