THE PROBLEM OF SIN AND THE R.A.CE 2OQ 



constantly open to the weak, if they do not do 

 all they can to make it impossible for any to get 

 pleasure or gain by the degradation of their fel- 

 low-men, their very neglect is in part the cause 

 of the moral ruin of all who enter those gates 

 of death, and they are in a real sense partners 

 in guilt with those who fall. If by our careless- 

 ness or love of ease we allow vice to flaunt it- 

 self and crime to go unpunished, so that others 

 are ruined, we cannot escape our measure of 

 condemnation. If our influence is not all in 

 favour of high moral standards, we help to de- 

 stroy morality. If we honour those who are vile, 

 we help others on the downward path. If the 

 cultured palliate vice in those who are eminent, 

 they practically say that moral character is not 

 imperative. The mass of men are not astute 

 enough to understand why vice should be con- 

 doned in Burns and Goethe and condemned in 

 carpenters and clerks. Influence is a very sub- 

 tle but a very real force. It is like a stream 

 of pure water. If kept pure, it carries health 

 and blessing everywhere. If fouled, it breeds 

 disease and death ; and all who contaminate it 

 even in the slightest, or who do not use their 

 ability to preserve its purity, are more or less 

 responsible for its deadly effects. 



