Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-09-02


usefulness and his peace have been abol
ished.
What l mean by harmonious charac
ter, is one in which the intellectual power:
receive proportionate culture, the passion.
: move in their proper limits, and all truly
good objects are regarded in the measure
OF their respective importance. 1t does
not destroy this harmony to devote ones
self to particular calling, either profcs.
sional or philanthropic, for each of US has
some bent of mind, some speciality in train.
ing, fitness, or opportunity which both
justifes and demands devotion to some
primary pursuit. So acting not only does
not impair the general welfare, but pro.
notes it just as it is best that the eye de-
votes itself to seeing, and the hands to
work. But if all were eyes, where would
be the hands? If you have no love but
for one good object, and no energies but
for its advancement, you detach yourself
from all who might aid, but have prefer
ences of their own, and may in the result
do more mischief by what you reject than
good by what you support
To cherish any attribute of humanity or
pursue any vocation so as to blind us to
other excellencies Or other aims, is to make
us partizans, bigots, or devotees. Such
are the men who fill the earth with discord
and bitterness, keeping themselves fevered
by excitement, or irritated by opposition,
and are generally nullifed by defeat
True benevolence is general, as well as
ardent; as universal in its aims, as it is
vivid in its degree; not only earnest and
self sacrificing, but embracing all proper
objects, and slurring no moral principles.
Rabid and one-cyed zealots are to human
nature what distortion is to work of art.
Their i'll shape fits with nothing, and works
with nothing.
Go into the wolld not to be mere farm
ers, lawyers, Or divines, but men, and let
whatever concerns men, concern you.
The grand centrally of your character
is fixed by moral principle, regarding Jesus
as the only way, truth, and life, and the
gospel he taught as the sum of all good to
man. We may contribute, or dispute, or
teach, or toll to accomplish specific results,
but all will be adjusted and controlled right
ly when your grand aim is to transform
ourselves and others into the image of
Christ. The moment you think yourselves
great men, or desire to be so, that moment (
you become moral blot Oh the world /
Conscious dignity and greatness may be .
felt and enjoyed while We realize our utter
insignifcance, and cxult only in our frag-
mentary oneness with God and his Christ
Attainments in wealth, honor, or knowledge
may safely be made when We regard every
acquisition as talent which we value
only as increasing our power to do good.
Among the various influences which
tend to disturb this harmony of character,
| know of none more certain to occur or
more likely to prevail than detraction.
Men observe with impatience the tokens of
in others, and merit alone is
sufficient to make plenty of enemies. If
n thousands Of cases this malignity toward I
merit has kindled the flames of martyrdom,
'r wore out its victim in dungeons, how
,an you hope to be appreciated, much less
'ewarded, in world like this. The ser
7ant is not greater than his lord, and
you must not be jostled from your pro-
,riety by finding yourself abused for your
Iery virtues sake, while impudence and
neanness ride prospcrously.
The two considerations have presented I
Iou, promptitude and proportion, point to
ny remaining suggestion, viz:
Ill Kop 6ct0re yoa usefulness as the
rand end and aim Of e.ristence.
Regard mankind as not only as your
brethren, but as Gods children; and spend
7our existence as God spends his, in bless
ne them. o, there is nothing in this wide
universe so cnnobling, so joyous, as earnest
with God, oneness with him
n feeling, purpose, plan, measures, sue
,esses and rcjoicings. This briefand hum
de existence is thus made part and parcel
# a system of universal and perpetual
goodness and advantage fit commence
nent to an endless progression in honor Z
md happiness.
Happy the man who devotes himself to I
he general good, with that comprehensive
hess and promptitudc which have des-
,ribcd. Constantly is there yelling up in
lis bosom the joyous emotions Of benc-
actor, while his own virtues are matured.
may overtake him, or success s
nay be denied, but conscious Of co-opera-
ion with Chrisf ba !, uilliny IN he like