East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-06-07

VI cuhoho0 W ito Ootutuh ehtcftain-
ments. these are things that we dare
not practice. All this is unmanly
enough. But cohventippalisin viii
rule us. Real independence is seldom
seem in social intercourse and never
can this cardinal virtue become the
common property of society until we
learn, on principle, to.be truly, thor
oughly, heartily just to the opinions,
sentiments, habits of all around us.
Living with others requires still
more . lively state of the sympathies,
as a habit Of mind, and capacity to
enter easily and freely into their Pc
culiarities. Not only shonld WIG al
just ourselvoe, as isr as possible, TO
their marked features of character,
but we should strive to be adapted
even TO their evanescentmoods. There
are times when our friends are genial;
all within them comes forth to greet
our approach and they put on their
full array of charms to CRAFTY US. AT
such moments they can bear much
Not being quick to take offense, nor
specially prone to fall into disputa-
tious temper, they can readily make
allowance for any thing that may be
an occasion of inconvenience. Then,
again, the tone Of their minds is en-
tirely changed. Fretful, inconsidsrate,
and unsympathetic, they are sure to
seize on the worst points in every
thing. They take the knife by the
blad, and not by the handle. Truth
shows its repulsive aspects, and life
presents its dark side, A breath OF
wind throws them off their balance,
and even their faith in the grandest
realities Of life seems TO wayer. Now,
pride and, naughty egotism may
promptly refuse to have any consid-
GRAFTON for such infrmities, and vig-
orously insist on holding up their
subjects to the standard Of fair and
equal intercourse. But good sense
always takes the weakness Of others
into account, and Christianity exhorts
the strong "to bear the infirmities OF
the weak" 1t may demand some
i
sacrifice on our part, and it may be
far from agreeable to force our re-
luctant tempers into an acquiescence
with their petty morbidness. But
within proper bounds, it is much bet
ter to restrain our 1willfulness, and
submit to the claims on our fforbear-
ancey If these demands are excessive,
they ought ordinarily to be resisted
but, in general, it is the part of prac.
tical wisdom to humor these erratic
moods, and strive gently to cure them.
Nothing but a large and reflective
sympathy is competent to such task.
A genuine tenderness of nature-a
politeness, strong in principle as well
as sentiment-a soul of real charity,
can alone discharge, under such cir
cumstances, the Offices Of friendship.
But this active sympathy is always
needed in social fellowship. 1t is the
quick-sighted eye seeing at a glance
what the moment calls for; and, while
it promptly conforms to the laws OF
courtesy, it goes deeper than the forms
of well-bred manner, seeking to i'm
prove the heart, and, in auspicious
seasons, dropping here and there a
seed for future growth. Whatever
resources are in its possession can be
readily commanded; its wealth is not
invested in distant gains, but fills its
purse and just as opportunity asks,
it can enrich. 1t is the very soul OF
tact, doing the right thing at the right
instant in the right way. Never mis-
taking its company, never laundering,
never out Of keeping with the time
and the place, it has the precision Of
geometry in its actions, united with
all the fuency and freedom Of impulse,
How easily this sympathy glides into
the knowledge Of others, SURPRISING
all our intellectual methods in the
clearness and vigor of its perceptions,
in the scope Of its comprehension, in
the accuracy of its judgments! Learn
ing through itself the wants of our
social nature, its own experience guides
il safely and wisely in the multitudin-
Gus adaptations of human life, and,
insensibly TO themselves, others con.
form to its Intellectual and moral state.
Its presence dispeses all appreciative
minds to assume its attitude, and
while in its association they see and
feel by virtue Of the power which il
| tr ansfuses into them. No quality il
40 characteristic as this Of q fine
social oonsstution, 1t is the source
Of all large -hear.edness. 1t alike in
spires generous thoughts and deeds
magnanimity borrows q massive grace
from its lofty sentiments and feelings.
IL forms the soul TO benevU,ence,
tesching a poitsness above the arts 9!
etiquette, and creating those accom-
plishnents which chivalry and high
breeding have priced as the badges Of
social distinction.
The cultivation Of this spirit Of SYM
pathy is one Of the surest means to
social influence. It draws others to
our side. pnites them to our nature,
and establishes more potent bond
than interest or selfshness between
us. For what do we need like SYM
pathyi Talent and genius may sorye
us; philanthropy is often the arch.
angel in the ministry Of Providenoe
but what are these, great as are their
Offices, in comparison with. the silent,
subtle, ceaseless operations of sympa-
thy, as it bestows succor ana strength
It is not limited to one kind Of aid,
nor does il confne itself TO one sort OF
relief. To lessen the evil, TO augment
the good, to build up force Of in
tellect and character in every thing,
to ennoble humanity In all its rela.
tions--this is its broad and majestic
SCOPE. Viewed In this light what il
it but the effort Of our nature to re.
cover its sense of oneness with all
created mind, and TO enjoy the com.