The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-07-25
Life,s DetaIls Ennohlnd .

LifG's Details EnnOblGd.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
To those whoar interested in the great
problem OF life, and It's practical working,
II question will often be presented US TO
what is the best preparation for lile's small
and simple duties All agree that TO con.
duct worthily large and weighty affairs,
demands breadth Of view and holiness OF
purpose, but II Is commonly supposed that
Tor the ordinary business Of men, for what
we are pleased to term mental or petty
offices, no special dignity or elevation Of
mind is necessary; that the virtues ofplOd.
ding industry, patient irugality, and un.
thinking honesty are all sufficient; and
that great ideas, deep thoughts and cX.
allied aims rather unfit than prepare man
for ordinary duties, Such Il notion as
this, however, proceeds from underwriting
the practical everyday occupations that
fall to the lot OF the majority OF mankind,
and Of not perCeiving the secret of their
worthy performance. 1t Is u truth that
lew appreciate, and yet that lies at the
root Of all excellence, that where the
mind Is occupied with the nOblest ideas,
small duties will be most perfectly per.
formed, The services of social life, petty
and trivial as we are apt to think them, dc.
mand the generalship Of clear mind, Il
strong will, deep affections and pure mo.
lives, TO steer safely through the daily
trials, the inhunerable cares, the cohibli-
Gated relations which they involve. How
much Of home happiness is sacrificed for
IN nj al a Rnl an oil nf all
that Is necessary toit. Some single point,
such as frugalily or the maintenance Of
authority, absOrbs the mind and Is carried
out at the expense Of comfort, or to the
destruction OF those sweet affections
which alone can bind u household to.
gether. Or the desire to please and graft.
~ OVerComes the sense of duty, and
abuses are suffered to creep in and poison
the home circle. Where an intelligent
desire for moral beauty unites with aIdeep
fountain Of domestic love, narrow and
One.sided notions disappear; the various
wills and tastes of the family are harmO
nlously adjusted, Innocent pleasures multi.
ply and the home circle becomes one OF
peace, love and mutual Improvement.
Such results ensue from, n breadth OF
moral view that can only be had by living
on an eminCnCe Just as, when standing
on hilltop, we discern tile objects be.
meath in their just proportions, so when
our thoughts arc raised above the many
details Of life We shall accord to each
their just value, allowing noie;to absorb
lls TO tho exclusion VI tho rest. fHl
The spirit Of contempt with which
some people regard the offices called
mental, will utterly fade away before Il
soul Of large and comprehensive ideqs.
1t Is tho narrow mind that adopts paltry |
rules ofjudgment concerning tho dignity |
OF occupations as suCll and shrinks from |
certain offices as degrading. To the pure |
all things arc pure. 1t Is the tttfp0Se
which ennObles or degrades the action
The most mental service wrought in love
Is no longer menial, but u pledge OF the
tenderest affection. "1he kindly offices
rendered tDthe sick and suffering by the
willing hands of compassion and benevo.
lGnce are no longer petty and triiling, but
sweet privileges that bring n double bless
ing to the giver md receiver. Just as
the widest and deepest root brings forth
the tender blossoms in the richest pro.
fusion, so the largest heart and deepest
sentiments will produce the most perfect
performance Of the minute details OF
daily duty.
lfthis ruth bears strongly upon small
luties, equally does II apply to the smaller
trials and annoyanCGs Of life Every one
ls beset with many veXatiOns, but few
know how to bear them with dignity and
repose 1t Is not mere matter of voli.
lion. Hard striving may repress the out.
ward expression of irritation, but II is only
as we can raise our spirits above the little
singing causes fit, so us to view our, life
as II were from an eminence and see how
It's troubles subside and are lost, that we
can gain thu real tranquility Of soul that
shall make rs gentle and serene in the
midst Of Annoyances, dlsappOintments and |
cares.
II any one despises small things, throws
contempt uponmenial occupations, scOrns
manuel labor, or ignores petty offices Of
kindness and benevolenCe, II but proves
him to be rarrow-minded, small.souled,
and unable to view things IN their Just
proportion. To the large.hearted man,
who takes . broad and comprehensive
view Of life, and studies It's meanings,
nothing Is small and nothing Is trifling. |
Pure motives glorify the smallest action,
and make 1t noble high purposes dignity
and exalt the fe,however commonplace Il
seems TO the superficial. 1t Is the prin-
cples we hold, the heart we bring Into
our work, the soul energy we exert, which
alone can make us efficient or worthy nc.
tors In the scenes of life. Only as we
cherish the great truths and broad views
that lie at the foundation Of lire's activi.
ty, can we maintain the peace and love of
our homes, the serenity Of our hearts and
the moral beauty Of our lives