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Bad Example. 
0 give bad example is a great sin. It were less malicious to take away 
the life of the body than to destroy the life of grace in the soul, by 
wilful bad example. 
“Woe,” says Christ, “woe to the person by whom the scandal 
cometh.”* 
Scandal may be given in two chief ways; by words and by actions. 
Oh, how many scandals may be given by our words! 
IIow many scandals may be given by our actions ! 
If you, for instance, have said or done anything contrary to the lovely 
virtue of purity before others, you have given scandal, you have committed 
a great crime. So, of any serious offense against any of the Command¬ 
ments. 
• Oh! I beg and entreat you, in the name of all that is most dear to 
you, to be in future most careful never to give scandal, no matter what 
sacrifice you might have to make. 
On the contrary; endeavor to show forth the great virtues in all the 
sincerity of a good , exemplary life. 
For, to set the best example in our power is one of our highest respon¬ 
sibilities. 
To set a lofty example is also the richest bequest a man can leave 
behind him; and to exemplify a noble character is the most valuable con¬ 
tribution a man can make for the benefit of posterity. 
Therefore, 
“Woe, a hundred times, to him who scandal gives, 
Through whom the Christian weak or perishes or strays!” 
*Matt. xviii :7. 
