The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-01-15

"LooK1Na TO THE FUTURE. Most
heartily do we endorse the following
sentiment, rs expressed by the New Or
leans Times. The spirit is high:
There is no habit of mind more COM
mon than this. Pondering on coming
events striving by every conceivable
precaution, and well-matured course of
action, to avert evil and secure good
has been considered proof of sagacity
and wise foresight In tho main, such
may be fact, but we still believe that
much time and anxiety so expended were
better given to instant aud determinate
action. Quickness of perception, cou-
selligence to comprehend, the nerve to
execute, belong only to greatly practical
minds.
Timidity fingers SO long over obstacles,
and shrinks so sensitively from difficult
ties, that long train of confused specu-
lations end in nothing. So nothing is
attained, and the poor feeble waverer
finds, too late, that time and tide are
lost The syren song of exaggerated
precaution has lost him his opportunity
-inexorable fate closes her account.
the harvest is past, the summer is ended
hesitation has been his ruin-he has
pondered on the future which God does
not permit us to explore, till the present,
the only time which we can Justly call
our own, has been squandered in irreso.
lntion-surest proof of feeble soul,
wanting that grand self. reliance which
makes not only heroes, in Pagan sense,
but Christian heroes of far higher type.
Under Heavens high decree mans
character depends on his own deliberate
acts. Once decided on line of conduct
proper to be pursued, nanliness princi-
pie. honor and justice, call on him to
pursue it unswervingly. If he be faint
hearted and vasciiiating let him enter on
no high emprize, but Jog on in the beat
en- path with inferiority. Futurity is
with God, who setteth up and casteth
down, in his sovereign wisdom.
(Which OF you, by taking thought, can
add cubit to his staturc?" Shutting
Ame-seroing and eoasion, belong not to
greatness or integrity. The eOAiteness Of
mans soul is spotted by suLteyfuge and de-
ception. Irresolution mover stains the
virtue OF honest mon. AS they think
they speak; as they speak they act, (so
said Osceola, an un- -Christianized saw
age,) and his noble sincerity might put
to the blush some who claim better light
and far higher instruction. Tie BEST
safeguard against future III and renao,se,
'rN al,odys 6eJound IN open deuli,,y, hon
ora6le ''eSoloe and brace action.
We do not advocate rushncss. Ouly
hasty and inconsiderato people yield to
its momentary suggestions; nevertheless,
an honest impulse, however ill-judged,
is sooner to be forgiven than that frozen
policy which wears out life, striving to
compass futurity, and leaves the foolish
oasulst, and all who have vainly trusted
him, dismal wrecks on the shoals of time.
Adversely cannot subduc the virtuons-
threatened poverty cannot scare them
from the path of rectitudc. They
anchor their hopes high above worldly
change and sorrow-tho rock of ages is
their shield and they say to vain spirit
OF conjecture, ''peace, be still!' This
argument is scriptural- who, therefore
shall pronounce it illogical? 1t should
be our aim SO to improve the present
that remocsc belongs not to our dread
futurity either on earth or in an eternal
state of existence.
San Francisco undertaken claims to
have discovered n now method of nra.