The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-07-13
.uESCELL.f.N'EOUS.
OF THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING
TO SAY NO.


To SAY NO.
A very wise aud excellent mother, gave
the following advice with hsr dying breath
Sc Nv son learn TO say No."-Not that
she meant 70 counsel her son TO be a churl
in speech, or to be stiff hearted in things
Indifferent or trisial--and much less did
she counsel him TO pst bis negative upon
the calls of charity and the impulses Of hu.
nanity but her meaning was, tha; along
with gentleness of manners and beneyoience
of disposition, he should possess an lnilexible
ffmnsss of purpose quality beyond all
price, whether il regards the sons or the
daughters Of our fallen race.
Persons so infirm of purpose, SO wanting
IN resolution, as TO be incapable, in almost
any case of saying No, are among the NEST
hapiess of human beings; and that, not.
vithsiandIng their sweetness of temper,
their courteousness of demeanor. and what
ever else Of amiabIe and estimable qualities
they possess. Though they see the right,
they pursue the wrong not so much cut Of
inclination, as from form Of mind disposed
to yield to every solicitation.
A historian, of former and distant age,
says 81 Frenehaan who ranked as the
FIRST Prince of the Blood, that be had
bright aud knowing mind, a graceful
spughtliness, good intentions, complete
iuess Of manners, but that, with all these
qualities, he acted most contemplate part
for the want OF resolution that he came into
all the factions Of his tune, because he want.
ed power 10 resist those who drew him ~ for
their own interest bal that he never came
out Of any but with shame, because he van.
ted resolution to support himself whilst be
was 10 them.
|: is owing to the want Of resolution,
more than TO the want Of sound sense, that
q great many parsons have run into Impru.
dences, injurious, and sometimes fatal, Ia
their worldly interests. Numerous Insian.
ces this might be named, but | shall con-
tent myself with naming only une-snd that
IS, rash and hazardous surety ship. The
pit stands uncovered, and set men Of good
sense, as well as aralabIe dispositions, plume
themselves into it, with their eyes sIde open.
Notwithstanding the solemn warnings IN the
proverbs Of the Wise Man, and nslwifhstan.
ding the examples of the fate n So many
that have gone before them, they make the
hazardous leap. And why; Not fromIn
ellna,lon, or with wiiiIng mud, but be
cause beng solicited, urged and entrealed
they knox not how to say No. Ifthey had
learnt. not suiy to pronsuace that monosyl.
liable, but to make use of It on all proper oc.
casijns, II might have saved from rom, both
themselves and their wives and children.
Eu' the worst of il IS still behind. The
ruln Of character, OF morals, and Of the very
soul Gilman originates OF, IN PASSIVE weld.
ingness, Of temper and disposition, or ~ the
want Of the resolution to say No. Thou,
ands and many thousands, through this
weakness, have beer the victims Of craft
and decclt. Thousands and many thousands
once Of fair promise, bu, now euak ~ DE-
pravity aud wretchedness. owe their r,up
& the act Of consuming, against their bet.
TT judgments. t. the entIecnestS IL evil
companions and famiiiars. Hsd they SAID
No, when duty, when honor, yhen con.