The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1866-06-23
VALEDICTORY ESSAY.
BY MISS Q, ALLEN, OF csINsynLr, rrSs


! trying duties best
> Man is Gods, and God made him.
A beauty and q mystery, he stands be
fore us a King, a suhjoct--dcpcndent,
yet free; a medley Of passions that
would bind him to earth; of hopes
that would bear him to Heaven; Of
virtues that would lead him to God,
Lord Of this coy world, yet assailed by
its various arts a nature rich in Origi-
nal principles ever striving to entwine
themselves i~ndissolubly around the
will Of Deity; animate sense ofhnman
duty and integrity; an unattainable
perfection to which he may ever APP
proXimatc but never reach, u voluntary
power to do--all are given him. 1t is
the tendency Of his nature to reduce
life, n system mixed and intricate, to
its ultimate end, the highest ever
known, the perfection Of human pow
ers. The highest, because this accom-
plishcd would be the embodiment Of
those precepts that are the essence Of
Revelation, and which would secure an
mshrinking exit from this existence,
and Il welcome entrance into the only
other. TO work out his destiny, to
feel upon his brow the crest of true no
bility, mans conduct must conform to
the original assurances Of his nature.
If he acts within the jurisdiction Of his
will, needs the "stilI voice" that coun-
sells his soul, he will be what he was
designed to be. In his heart is n feel
ing Of alteration, imperious and deep,
that sends up incense to Heaven. He
cannot hush its call and be what he
was. IN his heart is IN ethereal impcr-
alive to obey immutable right. He can
not disobey, and retain his m%anliness.
Spiritual elevation is the great aim
of life, and consistent action the means
Of attainment, Action is G 70 extensive
with moral excellence, there being no
such anomaly AS passive goodness. All
other purposes must sub5crvc this
highest, or the individual is berelt Of
that self respect or sclf-lOvc that an
swcrs one Of the noblest wants Of his
nature. 1t scarcely need be said that
sclflove and self, respect are convert
bic terms, both naming II Of the first
native principles manifested in human
action. To criminatc its exhibition
and development is to impugn Infinite
Goodness. 10 compound it with lDath-
some scllshncss, discovers want of re-
search into the manifold workings of
the mind. 1t means simply that love
that lcati5 to soul perfection, that 0
drous power that urges MAJ to be true
to himself. Surrender it to present
capIices and tangible ends, and with it
goes every noble aspiration. The feel
ing Of self dcbascment then cores the
soul, and muilcd grief eats the heart.
In a word, if there is no sclfloyc, there
is no true obedience; if no true ODE
dicncc, no sell Interpretation; if no self
appreciation, no standard by which to
estimate the soul: and if no standard,
to apply worth to man is meaningless.
But admit that fidelity to the souls in
hcrent dignity is the standard, and an
obvious meaning attaches to the word.
Worth, rs applied to man, consists,
then, ofthe amount of effort and action
that has resulted from the imperative
and ready obedience Of mngistcrial
Right. Accept this, and be imme-
ushered into the realms Of the ,
only true nobility that eve reigncd on !
earth-onc that wields ne sceptre that ;
ambitions hand can grasp, wears no :
crown that the gems of earth can pur- :
Neither seri, nor minion, nor =,
Is known amid such great y
ness, but all are cqual-all are ca :
.hroncd-all crowned. Far down the
of aspirations CLOVIS the ideal Of :,
excellence that all are steadily APP ,
preaching. One spirit brcathes through ,
out that harmonious whole, emo
ton rules in heads and burns in hearts. :
All that live, all that have lived, all ,
Tint may live, who are v%irtnous for vir- +,
s~lker7who are noble for nobili :
ty's sdke~2aff4o OF the royal few. This, ,
and thissonIs, is nobility. Here every h,
act is a pfociaiming tongue that tells ,
glorious feelings that are pulsed
the heart. The dominant aim of
this one only class is TO "act worthy +,
of spiritual approhatiou.' Wholly ab !
in this one broad view Of life ,
and eternity, with The lIcaycn-whispcrcd ;
words, Virtue and goodness bring !
their own exceeding great reward cv- ;
rr moving the soul with their beauty (;
and strength, subliming every passion, -,
bMishing every fear, it can but win the +,
goal. Future life is determined by the /;
present. If existence is passed in toll :
ing for the pleasures and rewards of
earth and earthly creatures, what has =,
The dcludcd being stored away in the =,
great i%ruition of eternity? If motives !
md desires are cast upon the pillows of p,
he present, in accordance with ear !
nest wishes for speedy realization, =,
there is nothing to return on the :
amending waves of futurity. There Is :,
n proportionatc reward for ev- !
cry effort, and while man strives for q
end, n spectral pleasure may
in his heart, but it vaaishcs
when that end is contaminated, and $
nothing is added to his dignity-aH is q
IL was, except his impulse to he true a
his own soul. and that is weakened. I:
This results from the principle that he i
AN not rcvel in present qualification +
without forleiting ultimate good-can- 9
lot serve time and eternity. But the
'obieman does not shut himself up in il
he attainment of immediate reward /; r
locs not resign himself to pleasant re g
,osings in the toilsome beat of active r
life. lie hears the voice Of his soul, t
md goes whithersoever it sends him. G
fit bids him traverse the highway of v
anne, he furnishes the ngis Of honor. Il
,uspends the alarm bell of virtue, Il
the sceptre ofhimself, and, thus p
ocked in, he passes msullicd through c