The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-03-28
The World is Selfish


1t is said Jy many, but is it not very possible yea
exceedingly probable that he who judges thus harsh
y. may not be competent himself to determine i'm
portant question? We do not intend to deny the
proposition that there is such thing seltishness
and that large part perhaps the larger part OF the
world is influenced by motives Of personal consdcra
tions-looking to immediate personal benefits in all
that they say do-but we are among those who
believe there is yet and always vii; be- enough o!
that christian cavcn left in human nature whose per
mcatng influence spreads throughout the mass, and
preserves mankind rom the sin OF entire sclislncss
We place higher estimate upon man, than to doom
him to such fate; when we hear human nature re.
vlcl so sweepingy, and indiScriminatcly contcmned
for its impcg!ectiors. must conclude that such
proposition results from emblttered experience.
which has made the heart that holds such dognas cold
and selfish. Is the world So base that generous
feeling or action ever springs into being from pure mo-
tivcs? Arc there no social ties which bind our will
ing hearts in Il cham Of sympathetic interest Are
there softer feelings than those which sOtdd selfish
ness creates? To suppose these, is to insult the very
majesty Of lIcaven Ne do not believe in such doc
trInes or in such narrow soulcd principles. We take
in wider scope for the exercise o Our charity man
the narrow limits which sr!li>rneSS lrc>cr!Dcs. We
have no ambition To number among our Intimate asso
catcs the man whose standard is so low. and whose
estimate Of nan is 10 higher than to suppose every
thinG wilcl We do is ariit.d by cold hearted self
is!lucss The world would indeed De a sad picture to
look upon, truly and cmphatcalv wilderness Of woe.
if such was in reality the case. No. man was made
but little lower than divinity itself an it is down
right outrage upon his great author charge such
gro-s mpcrcrtons upon him.
The selfish heart deserves the pain feels and we
envy man his position. be it what it may. who finds
nothing but SeShnesS in his journey through life
Surround Us by the most advantageous circumstances,
and lay aI feet the boarded treasures Of ages,
aud let estimation Of human character br no high
or than this. and what benefit wuul confer ulon
the world? That these is Scl!ihncss and great deal
OF it in the world >aM" nina will try 10 doubt, but
we arc very mach disposed to think well Of large
part .l.c world vet. That there is sr"h thing
tic pure. U,rponring gushing generous sentiments Of
friendship. wc l!"vcG can. ", never will doubt. We
have seen II lh"l.aMd times we have felt it, and we
knoa. il. We k:.ow i.;i there is much uuh in the
SHIl. IL Is lO III! 9c!l liI SHtSS, IL IS also true
that those metals are iut altogether useless which fail
t. br hten at the first touch OF he rciucrS land. The
only and the n,lJle test Of the worth Of metals is to
reduce t!rm to the crcibc here let the process Of
puricatou he carried OIL and then We may rightly
determine their real and intrinsic value. So too with
human metals they may vary in kind and q ality, as
much the minerals DO. We cannot rightly estimate
them Until they tried refined purified, and weigh
ed in IT, baancc-i: found wanting. it is time. and
not until them, to cordcmn and col$ign them to the
UaStr sorts.
1t is not safe to Judge altogether by appearances,
these arc often drcc,vn.. and il lakes the brilliant
eye. and eloquent tongue 10 bcrav most easily into
error. The palmer and more substantial comforts
those which stand best the trials and vicSitudcs
otiie. Words are very pleasant bat there is little
value in the mos! prOtiIse professions OF friendship.
less there is CORES spending action suit the
word. Words are cheap good action is worth ten
Thousand empty wOrS. True friendship like virtue
is the strength and beauty Of the soul is the gift of
Heaven" AS long IS tier" is spark glowing upon
h" altar Of The heart. canuut join in the wholesale
dcnuncaton against the world that il is all selfish.