The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-10-13

aUu tne gam ~ greater than the loss. IL
has always been so. Out Of every trouble
or disaster that has befa'len me in life,
have come With deep conviction that my
feet stumbled because they we're turning in.
10 paths that would lead my soul astrav. -
Ho .ever much may love myself and the
vorld, however much 1 may seek my own, |
below all and above all is the conviction
that time 10 fleeting, and life here bot as
span; that. If l compass the whole wor,d,
and lose my own soul, have made q fear.
ful exchange. There are q great macy
things regarded by business men as allow
able. They are 30 common in trade that
scarcely cDe man in . score questions their
morality; 90 common, that ] have often
found myself drifting into their practice,
and abandoning for time the higher priu.
ciples in whose guidance there alone 10 safe.
ty. Misfortune seems to have logged my
steps; but IN the pause of my life--in this
| state OF cnlmness--l can see that misfOr-
tune is my good; for. not until my feet we're
turning into ways that lead 10 death, did l
stumble and fall
Are you not too hard in self judgment?
said.
No, be answered. The case stands
just here. You know, / presume, the i'm
mediate cause OF my recent failure in busi-
ness?
"A sudden decline in stocks
The color deepened on his cheeks.
| Yes; that 10 the cause. Now, years ago,
settled It clearly with my own conscience
toat STOCK speculation was wrong; that il
was only another name for gambling, in
which, instead OF rendering service to the
community, your gains were, in uealry all
cases, measured by anotherS loss. Depart.
ing from this just principle Of action. was
tempted 10 invest large sum OF money iu
q rising stock. that was sure would contin
ue to rise until IL reached certain point,
where, in selling. could realize net gain
of ten thOuEand dollars. was doing weil
! was putting by from ,wo to three thousand
dollars every year, aud was in fair way TO
get rich. But, as money began to accumu.
late, grew more and m ore eager in it's &C.
guirCment, and lees concerned about the
principles underlying every action. until l
passed irtO a temporary state Of moral
blindness l grew less scrupuous about se-
curing large advantages in trade. and would
take the lions share. if opportunity offered,
Without moments hesitation. So, not con.
teCt at doing we'll IN a safe path. / must
step aside. and try my strength at climbing
more rapidly. even though danger stared
me on the left and on the right; even though
l dragged othors down in nv hot and peril.
ous scramble upwards. Lost my foothold
II stumbled--l fell crashing down to tho
very bottom Of the bill, half wav up which
l bad gone so safely ere the greedy fend
took possession of me- AZ.
And have not really been hurt by the
fall? remarked.
I have suffered pain-terrible pain; for
l am Of a sensitive nature, be replied. But,
in the convulsons OF agony, nothing bat
the outside shell of q false life has been torn
away. The real man 10 unbarmed. And
nov that the bitter disappointment and the
sadness that attend humiliation are over,
can say that my gain is creator ihan my
loss. l would rather grope in the vale OF
proverty all my life, and keep my conscience
c'ean. than stand high up iD the mountains
Of prosperity with taint thereupon. 10
God knows best he added, after q pause,
speaking in a more subdued tone. =.
And l recognize the hand of His good
providence IN this wreck of my worldly
| hopes. To gain riches OF the sacrifice Of
just principles is to gather up dirt and throw
away goody pearls 80
How lie it with your family asked
They must feel tho change severely
They did feel it, But the pain is over
with them also. Poor, weak bumun ma.
tutC' !" Ruio "oIo oCtNc iuuue'tIOue
at home, and diligent at school, while nv
circumstances were limited. But, as money
grew more plentiful. and ! gave them
larger house to live 10, and richer clothes
to wear. they wearied of their useful en-.
ploy ymenis, and neglected their studies. -
Pride grew apace. and vanity walked hand
in hand with pride. They were' tess con.
siderate Of one another, and less loving to
their parents. If attempted to restrain
their foDdness for dress. or check their ex.
travagance in dress, they grew sullen, or
used unfilial language. Like their father,
they could not bear prosperity. But oil is
changed now. Misfortune has resi- ored
them 10 better state of mind. They em
ulate each other in service at home; their
minds dwell on useful things; they are ten.
der of their mother and considerate of their
father. Home is Q sweetor place to us all
than it has been for long time
And SO what the world calls misfortune
has proved blessing.
Yes. ln permitting my feet to stumble,
in letting me fall from the heighth had at.
tanned. God dealt with me aud mine in in
finite love. We give false names to things. |
We call that good which only represents
good. This is Of the heart and life, and not
in external possessions. He has taken from
me the effgy that He may give me the good
ITSELF
If all men could find. like you,' I said, "a
sweet kernel at the center of mistortune's
bitter nut
'All men may find Il II they will he an.
swered, for the sweet kernel Is there
How few find IL! Nay. reader, If you say
this, your observation 10 at fault. Gods
provdences with men are not like blind
chances. but full OF wisdom and love. In
the darkness of serrow and adversely light
shines on tho path that was not illumDed
before. When the sun of worldly prosperity