The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-02-09
Gentleness.

It is rare to find person uniformly gentle,
to whom the world does not ascribe all other
good qualities. Genteness is, in ITSELF such a
recommendation, that it is marvel the virtue
is not cultivated from self-interest-if sense
of duty, and the promptings Of religion, be not
sufficient to make the practice of it observed.
The influence of person habitually gentle is
felt by all around, like the suns rays which
clear the atmosphere by dissipating no1ious va
pors, and impart life and genial warmth to OBJ
jects that have languished and become shriveled
up under the influence of clouds and chilling
winds. The whole face of nature seems trans
formed when the sun bursts forth and gloom
departs. Thus, gentle disposition, appearing
among morose and gloomy natures, reflects
something of its own serenity and brightness +;
others seem to partake of that inward tran
guilty which it promotes, and, for the time, to
shake off the mantle of surliness, opposition,
or harshness in which too many allow them
selves to be wrapped.
A person of unfailing gentleness of manners,
benignity, and cheerfulness, will disarm the ILL
disposed, and melt, in many cases, those stub
born natures upon which harshness has only
the effect of confirming in opposition. Gentle
ness persuades when forcble arguments fail (;
hearts are won by the soft word and pleasing
manner, where severity and jarring tones would
create only enemies. The reverses of the gen
tie are sure to be regretted; his prosperity is
viewed without envy, and his failings are easily
forgiven.
Habitual gentleness is safeguard against
outward annoyances A mind that is calm and
serene beholds everything in the most favorable
light, and, like smooth stream, reflects every
object in its Just proportion and fairest colors.
A spirit always in agitation, communicates
something of its turbulence to those with whom
it comes in contact, and is disturbing element
in whatever society it may be thrown.
A nature always ready to pick flaws sees
everything in distorted form, finding nothing
pleasant or agreeable, and considering it per-
sonal insult that others, more amiably disposed,
should be happy and contented under the same
circumstances that render itself so miserable.
Misinterprcting-too often, alas! m'isrepresen-
ting-every act and word of companions and
acquaintance, repeating remarks, trivial IN
themselves, but receiving Importance from sig
nifcant shrugs and dubious tones, and the sub
stitution of more forcible words, thus sowing
the seeds of discord, even severing long united
friends, is but one of the many miseries an i'll
natured person, perhaps almost insensibly to
himself falls into. He feels illy-disposed to-
ward the whole world, and proportionately dis
satisfied with himself, state of mind e1hibi-
ted in every line of the countenance; grum
looks, impatient motions, and snubbing words,
are freely bestowed, causing the recipients to
shrink and retreat as from porcupine, whose
penetrating quills are thrown in all directions.
But even upon such nature, person of we'll
known, uniform gentleness will exert a bene-
fetal influence, and though inwardly distressed
at the black looks and snubs direct, will, by
quiet and gentle tones, soothe the ruf1ed spirit,
and call up blush of shame to the cheek that
is wont to color only in anger. Since gentle
ness is so universally loved, so much admired,
why is it not more generally cultivated? Since
so much is to be gained by its practice why do
we not find more of it in world ever ready to
assume even the most austere virtues to obtain
selfish ends ?-Leisure Hours