Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-07-09


others, than to avoid the manifestation @
like errors under similar circumstance:
Yet word sometimes has rousing an
stimulating effect, and may exercise a sal
utary influence. But the other day W
heard of case, in which an individua
absolutely suffered temporary anguish 70
the want of little moral courage. II
became involved in monetary affairs, founc
it difficult to realize his engagements
could not make his means available within
a specified time, and instead Of going for
ward to the parties interested, and stating
the facts in fair, frank, and manly spirit
he hesitated, grew nervous, and at las,
absolutely committed the grievous error
Of leaving the city, and with his affairs
confused, entangied and unadjusted. A
thousand vague reports were Immediately
circulated, his friends were puzzled to find
out his whereabouts, and when they did
discover him, he was perfectly unnamed.
Fortunately, there were those intimately
connected with him who knew all the
facts, who appreciated and priced his
character, who were satisfied no. only that
his means were ample, but that his integ
rity was undoubted-an thus the matter
was speedily and happily adjusted. And
yet, such was his nervous sensbility and
want of moral courage-such were the
rerplexity and panic under which he Ia
bored that he was absolutely running
away, and he scarcely knew from what.
lie was confused, bewiIdered, and excited.
He lost the balance of his mind, SO to
speak, became ashamed of his errors of
careiessness and prodigality, could not
muster sufficient moral courage to make a
real exposition Of the facts, plunged on
wildly, as if laboring under a sort of mon
omania, and as already stated, shattered
his credit for the moment, and narrowly
escaped ruin. Let no one suppose that
this is novel case, or that he might not
falter under similar circumstances. "Let
him that standeth, take heed lest he fall ~
In the great majority Of cases. the erring
are the victims of circumstances. They
have been led on step by step, until at
last infamed, maddened and unbalanced,
they have commenced some fearful, per-
haps fatal mistake or offence. There are
few, very few, who calmly, cody
and deliberately pursue course cal
culatcd not only to destroy themselves,
but to pain.Rhe hearte of their friends aud
their families The many who so err, are
the creatures of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
which cvermasters every other faculty,
and renders them the mere play ythings and
creatures of morbid fancy, or of the
of the hour The true philos-
ophy Of moral courage is that condition of
mind which no. only enables one to dis
criminate clearly between right and wrong,
but to act calmly and firmly at the most
critical moment, and without regard to
the humiliation or the modification that
may be inflicted 1t at once enables an
to resist temptation, to confront
and overcome danger He who ha, never
been tested and tried By adversely or by
prosperity, can not be said fully to under
stand himself. lie is not sensible of his
own weaknesses. Men, we repeat, are
5ften the creatures of the hour, and of the .
circumstances of the hour If they give
way to excitement and panic, and thus
lct when not in full command Of their
own mental faculties, they will in all
commit some sad mistake.
Selfpossession, therefore, at all times and
nnder all circumstances, the ability to dis
and the moral courage to carry
out, are qualities of the very highest
character --Peansy'cania Inquirer.