The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-09-16

strong, however, is, strange to say,
the spirit Of contradiction, as display
cd in the scnsclcss porvcrsity Of chill
drcn, and in the obstinacy and folly
Of grown people. Man, in society,
moves constantly under the influence
of these two tendencies, and shapes
his conduct as they direct
Contradiction is an effort of the
mind. 1t is the first effort of thought,
rejecting error or its appearances
lis spirit is found most vigorous in
men of great mental capacity, but not
of the highest genius, and also in
! fools. In the first il comes from over
confidence III their ability to correct
others ; i'll the second, from their con-
sciOusncss Of weakness, lack of conf.
dcncc i'll their intellect, and strong in
dividuality asserting itself by the
blind force of will. 1t is always dar.
ger us to submit ally measure or truth
in which one is deeply concerned to
argument with such men. You may
have every advantage, and yet be baf-
fled by the simple cxertion of tLc,y
will. 1t is true wisdom, to n,cct
them, as Greek meets Greek, by mere
force OF will to state your conviction,
to Indicate your intended course of
conduct and let them dash and cx-
haust themselves upon it, if they
choose, as the waves against some
firm rock which juts out boldly into
| the sea.
But in what terms of sufficient i'm.
port can we speak Of that most amia-
! bic and beautiful instinct of imitation,
which is The source of so many of the
! pleasures, and well-dircctcd, of all of
/ the virtues of life "ILomo Suu1, ct
| UI hnHlanuDl Il ne aiicRuu1 est - / am a
man, and everything human is congo
NAL to mc"-is the elevated language
Of even II hcathcn and the christian,
whatsoever things arc pure, whatso-
ever things ac lovely, whatsoever
things arc honest and Of good report,
/ if there be any Virtue, or any praise,
he thinks on these things, observes,
pondcrs, and initiates them.
All earnest men frequently regret
that they have SO little power to do
good, and undcrratc greatly the pow
or Of their example. But as face an
swcrcth face in a glass, so answcrcth
the heart of man to man. The earn
est mans quick perception, ready in
vontion and burning enthusiasm, kim
die glow Of sympathy, which may
long remain quiet, but which is deep ;
and it is whom hr is called away to la
Dor in another field, or when his life
is cxtinguiShcd in the tomb, that the
monotonous dullncss that succeeds
renders community conscious that
the burning and shining light in
which they hitherto had unconsciously
rojoiccd, has been removed from their
midst, or has gone out forever. Their
hearts, his fellow citizens then discov-
CIR, were but so many mirrors that re-
tlcctcd his energy and zeal. Oh
reader, do you sec an earnest and an
honest man, mark him, and heed him
well for he is born to do you good
lie will make you earnest, honest and
true. Initiate him. Let him impart
his spirit to you. For rs the most clo-
quont Of men boldly intimates, when
he cxhorts, "Bc yc followers of me,
as | also follow Christ" such imita-
tion fits you for still higher attempts
after virtue, and you will soon strive
to ''bc perfect, even as your Father,
which is in Heaven is pcrfcct'
We have thought it in place to call
attention to the power of a simple
good example, inasmuch as few
earnest soldiers propose, next Mon
day, TO inang nrat". noble charity
which doubtless commcnds itself tc
our entire District. There is at pres.
cnt no strictly and exclusively bcnovo.
lont society in Fairfield; let lis have
one. You say, reader, and truly,
am poor. How much poorer then
must be the poor among the poor
No heavy contribution is expected
however, of you, but some little annu.
ally from you and each ono of your
neighbors. What is chiefly desired,
is the Influence of your cnamplc, for it is
great. Give Mut, and tho windows of
Heaven will open, and rain down a
blessing upon you.
The Late War--A Ploody Exchange
Ideas, No3,