True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-04-14
q. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.
The Basis q True Courage.

dust apprehensions Of a divine power
naturally overlooks ell human greatness
that stands in connection with it, and
extnguishes every other terror that can
settle iiselfin the hear. Of man it lessons
and contracts the figure of the most exal-
ted person il disarms the tyrant and
executioner; and represents to our minds
the most enraged and the most powerful
al altogether harmless and jmpotent.
There is no true fortitude which is not
founded upon this fear, as there is no
other principle Of SO settled and fixed a
nature. Courage that grows from con-
stiiution, very often forsakes man when
he has occasion for it; and when it is
only kind Of instinct ia the soul, breaks
out on all occasions without judgment or
discretion. That courage which proceeds
from sense Of our duty, and from the
fear Of. offending Him that made us, acts
always in uniform manner, land according
TO the dictates Of right reason.
What can the man fear, who takes care
in all his actions 10 please a being that is
emnipotent A being who is able to
crush all his adversaies ! A being that
can divert any misfortune from Detailing
him. or turn any such misfortune 10 his
advantsgel The person who lives with
this constant and habitual regard to the
great superintendent Of the world, is
indeed sure that no real evil can come
into bis lot.
Blessings may appear in the shape Of
pains, losses, and disappointmeDts; but
let him have patience, and he will see
them in their proper figures. Danger
may threaten him. bu. he may rest salts.
fed that they will either not reach him;
or that, if they do, they will be the in
strument Of good to him. In short, he
may look upon all crosses and accidents,
sufferings, and Affections, as means which
are made use Of 10 bring him TO happiness.
This is even the worst Of that mans con-
dition whose mind is possessed with the
hsbilual fear Of which we are now speak
ing. But it very often happens, that
those which appear evils in our own
eyes. appear also as such to him who
has human nature under bis care; in
which case they are certainly averied
from the person who has made himself
by this virtue an object Of divine favor
Histories are full Of instances Of this ma
ture, where men Of virtue have had ex.
traurdinary escapes out Of such dangers
as have enclosed them, and which have
seemed inevitable. ... .a
There is no example Of this kind in
Pagan history which more pleases US than
that which is recorded in the life Of
Timoleon. This extraoI dinary man was
famous for referring all his success to
P.oyidence; and he had in his house a
private chapel, in which he used TO pay
his devotions to the goddess who repre-
scented Providence among the healhens.
Three persons had entered into conspi.
racy 10 murder Timoleon, as he was Of.
fering up his devotions. In order to do
Il, they took their stands in the most
convenient places for their purpose. Al
they were waiting for an opportunity tc
put their design into execution, stranger
having observed one Of the conspirators
fell upon him and slew him. Upon which
ahe otter two, thinking their plot hat
been deco :ered, threw themselves a
Timoieon's feet, and confessed the whole
matter. This stranger upon examination
was found 10 have understood nothing o
the intended assassination bn. having sew
,eral years before had brother killed b!
che conspirator whom he here put to deat'
and having till now sought in vain for ~
opportunity Of revenge, he chanced te
meet the murderer near the temple, wht
had planted himself there for she above
mentioned purpose. Plu.arch cannot for
III