Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-03-26
GREAT GOOD IN SMALL DEEDS.

in nature are the most operative, so
many Of the duties or actions that we
call the most insignificant, ARE really
more important and influential than
those which utter themselves by Il loud
report. 4 money transaction may in
volye Il million, while another concerns
but a single dollar, and yet the latter,
from the influences connected with it,
may cause vastly greater consequences
than the former; although because they
are so silently and perhaps inyisibly
working themselves out, we call the
one transaction trifing, while the other,
from the amount Of money it transfers,
we call important. Indeed the outward
results form but Il poor index to the
true value Of actions, while the hidden
and inner effects work with In energy
that, could We but it, would cor
rect our judgments concerning what We
habitually call great and small.
Small things constitute the greater
part of life. The holidays, or great
days, are but u fraction Of the year.
Existence is made NJ of simple repeti-
tons of the thoughts conceived, OBJ
jeets seen, words uttered and actions
done in II single day, and what we
call critical occasions are but the rare
exceptions of life. And yet, as we look
back on u life completed, how moment
Gus, for good or evil, it appears. Some
of the most efficient men, however
comprehensive their minds may have
been, have been men of detail. Napo-
leon Bonaparte, among the most etii-
cient men Of all modern times, while
his plans were more vast, various and
difficult than those of any other man,
had the talent, which filled up every
particular of their execution with
promptaess and precision. To another
man, his plans would have been but
visions, but to his mind every detail
was present, the numbers were supplied,
the spaces passed over, and the work
was accomplished. Detail is an ele-
ment of success that no breadth Of plan
or enthusiasm of desire can dispense
with. Emiuence in learning can only
be attained through patient drudgery Of
daily study. The most solid fortunes
are gained by small and gradual accu-
mutations, and minute bnt constant acts
of ~frugality, hourly industry and toll.
The great advances in civilization, in
science and in art, are made by small
miscellaneous. The trees and the corn
do not leap into maturity, but climb
upward, little by little. So, by follow
ing out daily duties, triaing though
they may appear: and putting into them
the whole vitality of their nature, men
become truly efficient in every sphere.
In mems relations to others, the same
truth is equally potent. Many would
leap into the sea, or rush into the
flames, to save the life Of n dear friend,
but the thousand opportunities of an
ticipating the happiness or comfort OF
that person are more eloquent proof OF
affection. No one can pass II single day
without numerous opportunities OF
adding to the happiness of those around
him by little acts or words, which,
though they may seem t%riiling, are in
reality the material of which is built the
great ediice of mutual affection. 1t is
sometimes more difficult to be faithful
in little things than to be bold in what
we call great ones. II has been said
that it requires less piety to be q martyr
for the truths sake than to maintain a
perfect and guilcless integrity in tho
common transactions Of life. The
ordinary spheres of daily life, the small
duties of the Office, the shop, tho
school, the family, are more calculated
to promote religion in the heart, If its
principles are carried into them, than
artificial or extraordinary occasions
of excitement. Character can only
accomplish its stature by growing.
The everyday duties of lite are the soil,
and the true principles Of right which
should guide them are like the sun,
ripcus and pcrfccts the fruit.
No grand or admirable characters have
ever been formed without filling well
the ordinary and smaller Offices of life.
These are the opportunities that nre
open to all, while genius, talent and
rare gifts are but the possession of the
lie who never thrusts himself On
public notice by any signal act may yet
n commanding influence and lcave
Il lasting impression on the world. A
carefulnesS OF hoaor, truth and goodness
in humble things is a stronger proof of
uprightness than the most distinguished
acts or sacrifices. The weight Of conf
dcucc and respect that such n life in
sures is u most powerful agent, noise
less and not suddenly appreciated, but
gradually shining on all, because full Of
light, ~rebuking evil, strengthening good,
and spreading its moral influences in all
directions.
4 RilI Amending the Presumption md
Homestead Laws so rs To Require the
Planting Of Trees ON Homestead and
Presumption settlements.