The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-11
Franklin's Scheme of Moral PERI, e.ion.

iih, WHICH pOiuI lIltn out as one OF Tie most
remarkable men that ever lived, was the
systematic attempt he made at one period
OF mis- life to arrive at moral perfection. The
plan and the method, so far as we know,
were both original. How far they con-
tributed to tho eminencc he afterwards at
tained, or how far they were manifestations
OF greatness which was original and in
lierent, it is impossible for us to determine.
his method was this. IIe made a tabular
schedule of the moral virtues for every day
OF the week, and then watched lis conduct
each day, to see how far he came up to his
own conceptions of duty. If he transgress-
cd in any particular, lie made mark over
against the virtue in which he had come
short. The scheme was certainly almira-
BILE, and no one can ever read it without cI-
ifcation.
lie places first "Ten,pcrancc. Eat not to
dullness. BE temperate in all things"
There arc few consciences which these sim
pie sentences do not convict. '.Eat not to
dullness." Amid all the temptations to ex-
cessive indul gcncc ut the table, in such a
country of abundance rs this, with all the
appliances of condiments and cookery, who
is :herc that docs not offend
The next virtue is ".Siicncc. Speaking
nothing but what may benefit yourself or
Others" 1t is better to talk Of things than
of persons. Avoid trifling conversation.
With these explanations silence is virtue
But it is certainly not better to be silent
than to talk wisely and well, or even in
such manner as to entertain the passing
moment. Among great deal OF chaff
there may be and there will be everywhere
seine grains Of wheat.
Next comes "Ordcr." What he says
upon this subject is admirable. "Let alI
things have their places. Let each part Of
your business have its time" Those who
have accomplished the most in this world
have been the most famous for this. The
late Judge Story, whc was one of the JUS
t'ces ofthc Supreme Court of the United
States, and professor Of law ut the largest
law school in the Union, and moreover
wrote more law books than any man of his
age, was.the most scrupulous observer Of
order. He never took down book TO con-
suit without Immediately replacing it when
he had finished and every hour ofthc day
had It's allotted occupation.
"itesofution" come next. "Rcsolution TO
perform what you ought perform without
tall which you resolve" This certainly is n
great and high purpose, but the difficulty as
we at once perceive is to keep it. 1t may
oe said to comprehend everything in itself
and to amount to mere resolve to do right.
This is perhaps the weakest part OF the gen
cral plan.
Next in order the places "Frugality"
Here DR.. Franklin was at home. lie once
lived himself OH dry brcal. MAKE no cx-
pense but to do good to yourself or Others
Waste nothing" In this respect Franklin
lived up to his own precepts. lie came to
Philadelphia poor, destitute boy, but main
ly by frugality lie became affluent, and that
aff1ucnce gave his great mind the leisure
and the opportunity to become one Of the
wonders of the world.
@Industry. Dc always employed in
something useful. Use up the bits and
ends of time" Here, too, his life was more
impressive than his preccpts. Few men
have ever accomplished SO much. Tenn
perance, order and selfcontrol gave him
complete command Of all his faculties, and
therefore he lost no time in stupidity or in
action.
The next two virtues he mentions are,
"Proctiee no deceit )" "HIrong none by
injuries" What he says upon these sub
jects is neither very original nor very .strik:
ing ; but it is characterized by the broad
wisdom and common sense which were 50
CONSPICUOUS in this great man.
The adm, irable balance Of his character
comes out in his description of the next
virtue, Moderation. Avoid extremes. For
bear resenting injuries as much rs you think
they deserve. Cherish steady zeal, dig
nifed self-rcspect." Whatever DR.. Frank
lin might have been in h is earlier days, af-
ter that period when his life became his
toric he adhered most scrupuously to hs
own rules life. In youth, according to
his own account. lie was not incapable OF
feeling and showing resentment, rs is man
.ifested by his treatment of his brother, after
n separation Of many years. lie thought
that his brother had used him i'll, and lie
did not scruple to let him know very en-
phatically that he had not forgotten the in.
jury. DR.. Franklin, it would seem, like
the rest of US, found it easier to preach than
to practice. His early failings, however
ought rather TO enhance our estimate ofhis
character, since they show that his were
virtues Of culture, and not of constitution.
Next come, "Cleanliness, and then
"Tranquility.' "Be not disturbed at trifes
or at aceidenta common Or unavoidable
This was vev wise resolve. and doubtless
carried out vi wthout great difficulty by a
man Of his robust frame and philosophic
temperament The. position Of affiucnce
fame and popularity which be soon attained
hiv,r L. Al