The Sinfulness and Selfishness [pp. 22-41]

THE SINFULNESS OF SELFISHNESS.
way. The domestic disturbance is only quieted by turning all
movements in the course of his capricious but unyielding likes
and dislikes.
He grows up a youth mingling in with other youthful companions, and the same free scope is given to his selfishness, and
all his fellows yield to him and become obsequious ministers to
his pleasure. He then attains to manhood, stronger in passion
as in body and will, and the neighborhood is agitated and allowed no rest till coerced into the measures which are to make
him happy. Past possessions make anticipated ones the more
necessary for him, and thus posts of power and stations of official authority must be given to him, till the town, the state,
the nation, adjoining countries, the earth and the ocean are all
his to use and control as he pleases. He makes no inquiry
what will give to him dignity and worth, but how to be happy.
He encounters opposing social customs, municipal regulations,
statute law and civil authority, and these are used as family and
neighborhood claims have been, sustained as they subserve and
discarded as they hinder his chosen enjoyments. Then, not
only man and the interests of society but nature must come into
his service. The elements, the seasons, the series of causes and
events must dohis bidding. The winds may not blow, nor the
sun shine, nor the planets roll but for his happiness, and physical
law must be as yielding to his wvishes as have been the voluntary
agencies of man.
This indulged soul is then taken from the flesh and goes over
within the spirit world. The same selfishness bears sway and
insists on being happy first of all. He meets an angel on a
heavenly mission and that angel yields the way to his interests
that this new conmer to his spiritual abode may first be gratified.
Successively all the host of spirits fall in and wait on his claims
for indulgence.
But selfishness has not vet its full development. This soul
which in any way will have his wishes gratified, now encounters
' the Ancient of Days"' who fills "the great white throne" and
we still suppose it to have power equal to the attainment of its
end and make its final conquest. The authority which has ruled
the universe is conceived to be now ruled by this selfish will
which controls all things in subserviency to self-gratification.
Selfishness reigns for its happiness' sake and nothing works to
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[Ja,nuary,