The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-06-23
ADtERSlTF-A TEST OF CHARACTER.
The>f,rgged- metal Of the mine,
Mdsi kC4n before the surface shine.

Mdst batn bssore the surface shine.
We. some weeks since, offered a few remarks
in relation to the influence of PsosrERITy in
lhe development Oh character. ADVERSELY is
another test, and with many It's fiery ordeal is
suited to elicit all the energies of the human
mind and soul, To- cali forth qualities which, but
for misfortune, ould dave remained dormant,
and to indicate faculties Of high and ennob-
ling nature. Its influence is least tempting
and seductive. it is calculated TO stimulate and 10
nerve, TO revive the taItb OF our nature in Pro-
videncr, ana induce the poor minded to dwell
with philosophy upon the trials Of this life, and
with hope and confidence, not only upon the
future wi,h regard 10 things oftime merely, but
with reference 20 thOsp OF the dim aud distant
period which commences with the close of our
mortal being How many of the eminent BY
intellect and patriotism would have remained
IN comparative obscurity had they been sur
ROUNDED by all the superlluities Of fortune, had
no necessity existed for eXprtiou, bad their
minds become torpid, Indifferent to patriotic i'm
pulses, and the welfare Of their felIow-man -
What more glorious to the eve Of true philoso-
phy, than virtuous and godlike mind, con-
scous Of rectitude ofpurposr, but struggling on,
year after year, amids. the clouds of darkness
and Adversely To be satisfied and Joyous
where all smile around Us, satisfied with our
selves end with others, grateful to God and
sadly toward our tellow-creatures, is COMPARE
"Teiy easy. But TO pursue the right path
through every vIcissltude, to resist vice when
fortune lowers most darkly, to turn aside from
temptation when hunger gnaws and friends
grow cold, TO listen amidst every difficulty and
danger to the still small voice of conscience,
and to be governed by its dictates, indicates
true greatness, real self-deniai, and unbounded
faith in the ways of God TO man. But what
moral strength is required, what resolute and
Srlt-poised spirit. TO stand up firmly and r4so-
iuteIy as wave after wave Of sorrow and afilic-
flon Is dashed against us, as friend after friend
grows cold or becomes false, as hope after hope
iadeS away, and we feel that life and strength
are also drawing to a close. How many sink
1ndeF the ordeal, how the weakness of mans
nature is seen in these trials How many per-
ssh IN body and soul, and 90 down 10 the grave
AnmonrHed, unhoDored and unsung? Look
through our country at the present moment
victims NAV be met in every street, men who
Were once prosperous, but who, struck down
by some Sudden blow of misfortune, or by
series of viciSsitudeS, have in vain endeavored
toraily their energies and are every hour becom-
ing more degraded in body and in mind. The
contrast between their hour of fortune aud their
day OF trouble, is indeed strong. Then, too,
many of them were proud and naughty, and
Careless alike Of their duties to God and man.
Now AFFECT in spirit, they cringes and faIter,
and are lost TO that glorious principle, which
teaches that human being, whether rich or
poor, whether prosperous or otherwise, if he be
honest and upright, is alike entitled to respect
and esteem. But there are others again, who
when the world went well with them, were
generous and benevolent. They expended be-
yond their means-they had too much conf
dence in friend and neigbbor, and they become
victims. These are indeed entitled to sympa-
my and kindness; and their only friends should