The native American., 1839-12-07
Ala nisi hec snlufiy ria nulla est.

Aid niSi hec salutis ria nulla est.
Decision of mind is of great moment to him
that desires success in any department of exer-
ton. The opposite state is always embarrassing,
and not unirequenty disastrous in the extreme.
But decision of mind must not be conounded
with madness, nor obstinacy for it is neither
the one nor the other. 1t is, OH the contrary
the result of the most perfect exercise of our
reasoning faculties of which we are capable
Very unlike is it to that feI ocious folly OF Hell
vctii, the ancient and fierce inhabitants of Switz-
erland, which induced them to burn all their
towns and private residences and to lay waste
their whole country, that they might leave
nothing behind them worth returning to, when
they were setting off to invade and seize upon
some country more extensive and convenient
than their own. They wished to commence
their march as an army of desperadoes; and so
they did. Blu! desperation is not what should
be considered to constitute decision of mind
which cannot exist aside from prudence, and
which springs alone from true, inteXibe yrtue.
The mind to be decided, must be heallhful !:
and to be heaithfu, it must be virtuous.
The word decision implies the result of con-
sideration: the sequel Of proper exercise Of the
mental faculties, in investigations perception
and ra,iocnation. Stupidity, obsinacy, indif-
ference, madness, none of these is decision
OpfeX is decided man in business. He is
honest and desires to do right, and SO he natur-
ally resolves upon plan of business. To this
he adheres He judges it to be the proper plan,
having thought much and anxolsIy over its pro-
lection. If at first, or at any time he looses a
customer in consequence of his steadiness to his
purpose, he submits with patience for he cannot
reproach himself with unrighteous motives or
conduct. He says, with the old philosopher Of
ID -. 49, =
nothing is evil but what is base" OpileX may
never be rich; but he cannot fail to be happy.
Trio is dcc1ded student. He has carefully
examined the claims of knowledge, and from a
virtuous conviction OF their iustness, enters her
capacious hall humble, patient, and thank
full desciplc. He has determined to be learned
but his determination springs from reason and
virtue and leads him neitAer to the devouring
of books, nor to the immoaton of his health
and comfort. He has decided to be scholar );
but not to be literary gormand nor paltry
valetudinaIian. He does not search for truth
amid the fogs and fens Of fiction he values his
time too highly to waste it so absurdIy. He
does not seek to prepare himself for the express
sion of his ideas with style of mere verbosty;
but studies perspicuity and yigor. Trio may
never be novel writer, nor celebrated for
scraps of poetry, but he will certainly be a
man of sense and blessing to his country and
the world.
Plus is decided Christian Not merely.
because he was born in aChristian country nor
because his fathers were such. He has exam.
ined the subject Tor himself. The internal evil
dence of the Bibles authenticity, the external
testimony furnished by those that obey It's pre-
cepts, the necessities Of his nature that be
supplied from no other source the urging voice
of conscience, and the calm decisions of his
Judgment, settle his mind in the determination
10 be Christian. He NEEDLES not with the
wrangings Of secaries and bigots. He re-
quires not the accurate pronunciation Of Shib,
boleth as test of picty. He cuts moi off from
his sympahies and respect all that are not called
by the same UNCONVENTIONAL cpithet. He burns
not in the fires of fanaticsm, he freezes not in
the frosts Of philosophical religion, falsely 50
called. He revcreuces God. He orders his life
by his word, Plus will never be leading Sec
tary, inflated bigot; but he will be enabled
through mercy, to live the. useful, happy If Of
real Christian; and, when lie lays down to
die, the prospect OF eternal tranquility viii be
clear before him. w.