Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-12-16
PRACTICAL VIRTUE.

Is q more practlcal understanding OF
the elements that make up goodness
and greatness In man. From the sim
plest teachings Of the nursery to the
most eloquent appeals Of the pulpit,
the lesson to be virtuous, to be noble,
to be true, is taught in every variety
Of form and with every degree OF Inn
.pressiveness and 1t Is often a subject
of sorrowful wonder that better results
do not follow so much zeal in so good
a cause. Perhaps n reason may be
found in the fact that no other instruc-
ton Is presented in SO vague and gem
eral a form. In business, in mechanics,
in art, In everything which a man is
expected to do, he is carefully inform
ed and regularly prac:ised in the de-
tails. No theory is deemed sufficient,
no general counsel, however impress
sively given, is thought adequate. But
in aiming at moral excellence, in at
tempting to live a good life, which is
indeed the most important as well rs
the most practical of all objects, the
instruction given Is generally more EN-
thusiastic in its ~earnestness than ex-
pliclt In its teaching. Our ideas OF
human excellence are thus somewhat
vague. We all reverence goodness, we
all desire to possess 1t, many earnestly
strive after 1t, but few have definite
conception Of what 1t includes. analyze
Its details, or comprehensively grasp
Its unity. Our great men are those
distinguished in science, in philosophy,
In art, in, craftsmanship, but of the
type of character in itself great, be-
cause Of Its moral excellence, apart
from any special occupation, our con-
ception is not sufficiently clear to ena-
bic us to point out the representatives.
That they are living amopg us, and
might be our leaders In LIES great
campaign, Is certain ; but how to know
them, how to recognize the true moral
hero, and to distinguish his greatness
from that success in life which goes by
the same name, Is a problem yet un-
solved. 1t Is often asserted that duty
is simple that the will, and not the
understanding, is at fault, when men
do not act up to what they already
know. This Is true but duty Is oftwo
klnds-negative and positive. "Doing
wrong" in the commonly received no.
ton, i, yielding to something forbid
den. But the simple avoidance Of evil
il but tho first rudiment Of goodness.
After resisting temptation. what are
we to do with our life, given us for
positive and worthy results? Our du-
ties press upon lis somewhat confused
ly, often jostllng each other and claim
ing precedence, and we need a moral
criterion to arrange them into definite
shape. We all admit that we should
love and benefit Jul neighbor, but
when we have to face the every day
cares and labors Of life, and to decide
In what way to show that love, what
sacrifice to make, and what time to
bestow, we look in vain for help or
guidance. Courage Is by all esteemed
essential to a noble character. But
while the ~anclents trained their youth
step by step in this quality, lnuring
them to danger until fear was gradu-
ally conquered, We content ourselves
with general exhortations, which are
comparatively fruitless. In the choice
Of an occupation, that serious step In q
young mans life, where, If ever, he
needs the clear light OF wisdom to
shine upon his path, how seldom are
the special moral bearings, its tempta-
tions, its adaptation to the disposition,
Its influence on the character studied,
analysed, and applied as tests? Con-
tent to believe that there Is no actual
guilt in any, he usually feels free to
consult only his own preference, or
still %oftener, to make the single ques-
ton, "In which can I make the most
money" the only ground Of choice.
In the same way the duties Of employ
ers and employed, beyond their mere
legal contracts, are not examined,
sifted and inculcated, nor are those
who most worthily fulfil item held up
az models for imitation. There is too
much content with things as they are,
or as they may chance to franc them
solves; VIC are too easily satisfied in
avoiding palpable wrong, forgetting
that duty Is ever pushing onward and
upward, and reaches not only to the
best that we know, but to the best that
it is possible for US to discover. There
Is no means more potent to touch the
heart, and promote the growth Of
goodness, than example. The philoso-
ply of virtue, ever 80 profoundly dis
cussed, the theory Of morals, Q so
accurately laid, are not adequate to re-
duce them to practice. We are still
left to generalities, while action deals
in minute details. The lives Of men
and women truly great In goodness
are more effectual-both in their living
influence and In the records they leave
behind-to incite all, and especially
the young, to like virtues, than any
premeditated efforts, however well d.
rected. The written histories Of such
when the author has himself clearness
of mind and purity Of heart, and when
he brings strong points into bold re-
lief, are emlnently useful. The good
man, be he high or low in station, In
whatever business or profession, is not
only lovely and estimable, but is the
strongest and clearest. witness to the
beauty of virtue. His light should not
be hidden. We should seek for it, and
H. - t~ka .,tayy "a oanrar1ty ma u.n