The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-11-16
DR.. Charming on Self-Culture.

1t is force of thought which measures in
tellectual, and so i; is force of principle
which measures moral greatness, thathigh-
est of human endowmenis, that brightest
manifestation Of the divinity. The greatest
man is he who chooses the right with in
vincible resolution, who resists the sorest
temptations from With and without, who
bears The heaviest burdens cheerfully, and
who is camest in storms and most fearless
under menace and frowns, whose reliance
on truth, on virtue, on Coo, is most unfalt-
ering and is this greatness which is apt
10 make show, or which is most likely 10
abound in conspicuous station? The SOL
emn conflicts of reason with passion the
victories of moral and religious principle
over urgent and almost irresistible soicita-
tions 10 self-indulgence; the hardest sacri-
fees of duty, those of deep.seated atfec-
ton and of the hearts fondest hopes the
consultations, hopes, joys, and peace of dis
appointed, prosecuted, scorned, deserted
virtue these are of course unseen ; so that
the true greatness of human life is almost
wholly out of sight. Perhaps in our pres
ence, the most heroic deed on earth is done
in some silent spirit, the loftiest purpose
cherished, the most glorious sacrifice made,
and we do not suspect it. believe this
greatness to be most common among the
multitude whose names are never heard.
Among common people will be found
more of hardship borne manfully, more OF
unvarnished truth, more of religious trust,
more of that generosity which gives what
the giver needs himself, and more of wise
estimate of life and death, than among the
more prosperous. And even in regard to
influence over other beings, which is
thought The peculiar preroga,ive of distin-
guished station, believe that The difference
between the conspicuous and the obscure,
does not amount 10 much. Influence is TO
be measured, not by the extent OF surface
it covers, but by its KIND. A man may
spread his mind his feelings, and opinions,
through great extent; but, If his mind be
low one, he manilests no greatness. A
wretched artist may fill city with daubs,
and by false, showv style, achieve a rep
utation; but The name of genius, who
leaves behind him one grand picture, in
which immortal beauty is embodied, and
which is silently to spread true taste in
his art exers an incomparably higher in
fuence. Now, the noblest influence on
earth is that exerted on character; and he
who puts forth .his does great work, no
matter how narrow or obscure his sphere.
The father and mother OF an unnoticed fam
lily, who, in their seclusion, awaken the
mind OF one child 10 the idea and love of
perfect goodness, who awaken in him a
strength of will 10 repell all temptation, and
who send him out prepared to profit by the
conflicts in life, surpass in influence Ma.
poIeon breaking the world TO his sway. And
not only in their work higher in kind who
knows but that they are doing a greater
work, even as TO extent Of surface, than the
conqueror Who knows but that the being
whom they inspire with holy and disinter-
ested principles, may communicate himself
10 others and that, by spreading agency,
of which they were the silent origin, i'm.
provements may spread through nation,
through the world?