The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-09-16
Self-AppreciatlOn.

One of the most common hndrances
to moral Improvement exists in the UNI
certain and mistaken ideas we usually
possess concerning our own moral
state. In mental cultivation, this need
ofrecognizing definitely the position
we hold is fully admitted and acted up
on. Ali our schools and colleges are
divided into distinct classes, the mem
bers OF each Of which arc occupied with
definite objects of pursuit Should a
scholar drift about the School, without
finding his proper place, sometimes
engaging in one study, and sometimes
in another, as their Importance hap
pened to strike him, his mental prog
rcss would be at best dcsultory and
unsatisfactory. lfa man would he a
thorough mechanic, or would become
eminent in any art or profession, he
must first discover how far he has pro,
crossed, and from what point to carry
on his efforts But when we approach
the subject of moral education, OF i'm
prOvcmcnt in the highest ofall subjects
we rarely find the same need recog.
lied. Few even of those who really
desire to-. become more worthy, take
the pains to find out ust where they
stand. how far they have advanced,
and where it is best IT, take up the
points IN their characters that need
chcrishng aad pruning. Vet this is
~ nnolftE in moral ~ in mental pro
grcss. IT. We know not truthfully in
what qualities we excel, and in what we
are d, icicnt. we shall make no more
rational Improvement than the scholar
who drifts aimlessiy from study to an
other.
One cause why q just and truthful
self-appreciation is not m ore sought
for and obtained, is found in the the
habit Of wholesale depreciation ofboth
themselves and others, which has gain
ed ground with many very worthy
and excellent persons, LikeDipg the
human heart to garden, they would
have us believe that it is tangled mass
of weeds, with scarce plant worth cul
tivation, or even any root Of virtue
Such IN idea once entertained, creates
Encouragement. so great as to paral
we effort. 1t il as if the musician
should inform his pupil that he had nc
musical ear, or the youth on entering
the gymnasium should be Informed
that he had no muscular power No
reasonable person would expect pro
ficiency TO be attained, without at least
consciousness of some power to at
tain it, and some knowledge Of the ad
vance already made.
Such view is in itself thoroughly
erroneous. For in every heart, however
overrun with the weeds of sin, exist
the roots of virtue, perhaps undevelop
ed and hidden bu still capable of cul-
ture. The extent to which they arc
developed in most persons, is doubt
less greater than is generally admitted
In order to gain amy self-knowlcdg'
we mus. recognize present advance
ment. We should not ignore any
good Quality that we possess.
1t is both natural and right, that il
so far as man is truly honest, or faith
full or Industrious or benevolent, hi
should gladly ana hopefully recognize
the fact. And rs far as we discern
any measure of these or similar vir-
tues in others, OF which they seem tt
unaware, we can in no better wa,
serve them and the cause of goodness
than by granting them the encourage
p,ent which such knowledge would in
fuse. Many child has been draw
to fresh efforts, and many q sinner re
claimed by the knowledge that som
one respected and believed in him
Such self-kno Wedge forms one impor
tant element in improvement. Ever,
step gained is proof of our ability t.
gain another, and gives renewed sncr
gy to make the effort When We fairl.
and truthfnlly know the good that
in us, we shall be more hopeful an
Jealous in attacking the evil. Doubt
1ess many persons greatly over estim'