The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-08-03
Character Governs the World.

Character, secretly, silently, but more and
more really governs the world. Every man
is noted for something which he can do, and
has acquired the habit of doing better than
any one else. He will be looked up to in
that one thing, and others will watch his
most casual motions and acts in regard
that thing whatever they are, and regulate
themselves by him, and set their chronome.
ters by his time. Character, we have said,
thus silently governs the world more and
more. The thoughts of the wise man infu-
ence society just in the same quiet, unseen
way that the observatory clock governs the
dropping of the ball, and the sailing of the
ships through it oil over the ocean. A few
words by statesman in Congress, by Ma
poleon at the opening of the Chambers, give
the tone to the conversation of the diplomat
lists, they are spread through the newspapers,
and nations set their clocks and regulate
their sentiments by some of .hese great time
keepers. Prince Talleyrand used to be the
most precise man as to time in his day, and
all the politicians of Europe would set their
watches by him whenever he would openly
show his chronometer.
The moral philosopher better illustrates
the power of great time-keeper than the
politician, because his work is more unseen,
and the results are less apparently directly
connected with their cause. A Prescott or
Bancroft utters great historical truth, or
Charming great principle, or a DR.. Way.
land, at the head Of University, explodes
Paley's shallow laws of expediency, and as
serts the original and supreme authority OF
conscience 10 man. 1t alters no muscle of
| any mans countenance at the time, and the
beardless youth who listens and reci,es it in
his class sails on the great voyage Of life not
outwardly different from others who are not
inwardly thus fortified. But great moral
truth dropped at the right time and in the
right place by an unseen hand, has set that
mans chronometer for all coming life, and
in the midst of the ocean and apprehended
breakers ard qucksands it indicates to him
his true 'Jngitude. And he gives the true
time tc tn ousands of others, and they sail by
his lights in the darkness of night and sail
safely and successfully. This is the quiet
power Of true education.
1t is thus that Christianity, too, is more
powerful at this moment for good than ever.
The words of the crucifed One recorded the
eternal truths of mans nature and relations
with precision and exactness as perfect and
precise as the motions of the heavenly bod.
les. In proportion as we set our chronome.
ters and keep the time by that standard, 60
where we will, it teaches US our true and ex.
act position and saves from the wreck of q
thousand hopes and expectations. Not while
He walked the eurth had his words thou.
sandth part of the power over mankind which
they possess at this moment, while from the
lofty heights above, by an unseen agency,
His arm is stretched out into the world, sig
mailing to each man not only the true time
noD, but his true position, no matter where
he may 60 or what his occupation. Every
true man, in proportion to the precise and
rare truths which he unfolds to the world,
thus lives forever, and influences mankind
more and more in all coming ages.