The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-08-26
How obtain Forii.ude.
Prom ne Phlo8elphid LeageI-

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one Of the firmest and wisest men OF
his day. or of all antiquity, was Seneca,
abe tutor, and, for time, the friend OF
Nero, yet no man ever described more
viyidly that want of moral fores TO
overcome inward weakness, than him
self. He speaks of seeing the right, and
approving and loving il, and pursuing
the wrong, which he yet hates, while ne
folloWs. Every one despises himself
for this kind OF weakness, aud it often
causes him to despond, and yet the pro-
gress of merely intellectual culture
does not enable the most gifted to over
come it. In fact, IL is among the most
gifted and highly cultivated that this
sort of weakness is most conspicuous-
The laboring man who rises with the
sun, and goes forth to his daily Work
is scarcely conscious of any weakness
of this sort. What he resolves 70 90 ne
easily and finally Accomplishes. while
his more refined neighbor IS always re-
solving without performing, ana Ia
mentinR his weakness without mend
Moral force, then, would seem to be
increased therefore, by many OF the
same causes as bodily strength. Phys
icaI and mental strength are more
closely allied than most persons think.
body, the force Of will is generally d.
minIshed, and both man and brute are
often brought to very great submissive
ness of temper by long continued fast
ing. AS the body weakeus, SO does the
will. And all those alterations OF
food, exercise and repCse, which in
crease bodily VigoT and power, seem 10
give greatness of strength TO the will.
We all feel instinctively, that large,
powerful man is not easily to be turned
from any settled purpose. Indeed Few
attempt to overcome the Will of d strong
man in good health. They may
turn its current in a new direc-
tempt to encounter the full stream OF
his deliberate determination.
The modern doctrine of the converti-
bility OF forces, in part enables US TO
understand all this. The will is a force,
and all the forces we eXPend are
brought into the body through food,
sunlight and beat. These forces are
expended in every motion of the brain,
or emotion OF the heart, as truly as in
every muscular eXertion. Every Teso-
luton of the will is the giving of OF a
force, and. rs the supply is lin tied, II
50 much ofthe vital energy is expended
in one direction, there is SO much less
70 De issued in others. And further, IL
BY air and wholesome exercise and
oepiAcle for a large supply OF force, it
Wtll not he 50 easily exhausted in eff
forts &c ui-ins kreAI and 2oCE conIin-
1Sd tension O. Iks vii 50 Ear. then.
thai whoa p-Q3 pesS scs-lSS - iAS body
sill be GSs-y, CESss s1--sSs hS:nE
eQazl. 20 give sESEEs - ses sill Inis
: Why 80 Macy llSs-9:E Es$2 ,! 1zboy
muscle, aud fsSc4< So1sz2 Who never
take execc5Se, sEs 50 deficient in viii,
and why = vigorous walk in fresh,
brzcinE atmosphere Is SO great an aid
to decision Of character.
Ali exercises that Increase our intel
Ieetusl strength have a great effect
upon the will. The cultivation of the
mind certainly gives a more precise di.
ree,l0n TO all our purposes and resolu-
ZION. In all motion there are two
things, and but two, to be considered
force and direction. Many persons who
are very strong in the!r resolves, where
they see clearly, are easily thrown into
confusion by tribes, and seem unde-
cidzd and weak because the precise di-
Eectfon in which they ought 10 move is
not clear TO them. The study of mathe-
mates or OF metaphysics enables them
Instantly and instinetiveiy to decide
and act with the certainty OF those who
know they are right. In this way, at
least, Intellectual problems prepare the
way for the solution OF moral questions;
will give strength to the purposes oft the
will far more important than that pro-
duced by merely physical health and
yiEor.
But moral exercises are the most di-
rect and important means OF obtaining
Increase of moral strength, force of will
and character. fla man wants to he a
good oaTsmAn, or player at base ball,
while all athletic exercises may assist,
yet 1t il by practice in precisely the eff
forts in which he wishes to be success
fuI that he most easily becomes SO. II
Is the same in morals. By exercising
his will in conquering difficulties and
overcoming himself; by living vir-
tuousIy in the midst of temptation, he
acquires strength to conquer. Every
victory makes the next easier, and es-
tablishes the habit OF success. He that
doeth righteousness is righteous. In
him goodness grows. But the mere
speculator who only reasons, argues
and doubts, but never decides, acquires
only a habit of weakness, and loses
faith in himself that becomes most dis
tressing. By alterations of sleep and
exercise of prayer, and effort OF faith
and works, let each seek to establish
within himself the habit OF self-con-
quest. 1t is the only way to success in
anything.