Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-11-30
From the Philadelphia Inquirer
WISDOM, POWER AND WEALTH.
SHINING EXAMPLES.


VIRTUE, WISDOM, POWER AND WEALTH,
SHINING EXAMPLES.
A celebrated historian, in describing
q wise Emperor, says, che enjoyed
with moderation, the conveniences Of
his fortune, and the innocent pleasures
Of society; and the benevolence of his
soul displayed itself in cheerful sere-
! nifty Of temper"
! Of another, equally distinguished,
he says, ." he adopted the system which
taught him to submit his body to his
mind, his passions to his reason-to
! consider virtue as the only good-vice
as the only evil-all things eternal as
things Indifferent He was severe to
himself, indulgent to the snperfections
Of others, just and benefcent to all
mankind
These are models worthy the consi-
deration of the rich and the wise, the
distinguished and the powerful thro'-
out the world. History presents few
such, comparatively speaking, among
the long chain Of potentates and prin-
ces who have from time to time gov
erned portions of mankind. Even in
our own country, which boasts Of its
republican simplicity, which enjoys the
great blessing of Christianity, and III
which the people possess the power of
choosing their own rulers, we fear that
contrasts to the sketches we have quo
tied might be pointed out in the history
of some of our Executives, National
and State. And yet it appears to us
that an individual placed at the head
of the Government, and enjoying emf
Inent opportunities of influencing the
conduct of the thousands over whom
he exercises sway or control, is bound
in a peculiar manner, TO set bright
example to the multitude around him.
He may be regarded as one of the
chosen ones of the earth; as having
been delegated by Providence to fulfil
for time some Of thehighest and most
responsible duties that may be dischar-
ged by human being. He possesses
the power Of influencing in some de-
gree the age in which he lives, Of pro-
noting either virtue or vice, of encour-
aging either integrity, stimulating pat
riotism, and assisting popular eduea
ton and universal morals. Therefore
it is that his position is one Of vast re-
sponsibility, and that, when called up
on to render an account of his stewart
ship, much will be required from him.
The temptations Of power and fascina-
tians of fattery are in most cases ire
sistible with poor human nature. But
in entering upon stations Of empire and |
control, the truly wise and virtuous
will remember their own weakness, and
the fiery ordeal to which they are about
to be submitted. They will also re-
collect that the good Of the country
and the welfare of mankind, are objects
which should weigh with them far a
boye any view Of personal vanity or
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. They will endeayor
to control themselves and govern their
own ambition, in short, to consider
"vntue the only good, and vice as the
only evil."
Those who are favored by fortune,
and who rank among the merchant
princes, the millionaries of the earth,
all indeed who have been blessed with
abundant wealth, have difficult but !
grateful task to perform. They should
remember that while abundance is
theirs IN an eminent degree, there are
thousands of their fellow creatures,
who with difficulty obtain the means of
a common subsistence To these they
should extend sympathy and aid
They should resist the spirit of avarice
which IS too apt to creep into their
hearts they should remember that
they have been chosen as the recipients
OF the bountles of Providence, to do
his pleasure-not to crafty lusts of their
own, but, it may be, for some wise &
benevolent end, and that it at least de-
wolves upon them as duty, SO to dis
pose OF their means as may seem best
calculated to contribute to the welfare
Of the greatest number, and prove most
acceptable In the eyes Of the Deity
The life Of man is brief and feeting.-
Compared with the vast limits of eter-
nifty, it dwindles into a viewless point.
When, therefore, we reflect, as our
faith teaches us, that according TO our