Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-05-03

We have read that in some astronomical
observatories careful experiments are made
to determine the temperament and quail
ties of the observer. A thousandth part of
a second is matter of little consequence to
the fastest lightning express train, but the
smallest fraction of a second into which
time can he divided is of great importance
in measuring the movements of bodies
that fly through space at a speed, the
thought of which makes us dizzy. So that
1t does matter great deal that Brown
should be able TO record an event by touch
ing key in ten one-thousandths of a Sec
ond, while Robinson, of slower organiza-
ton, requires twenty one-thousandths of a
second to translate his perception into
voltion and get it from his eye to his fin
ger. Robinson is not so good conductor
as Brown. Hence the necessity for subject
ing the two to tests that will detect the ex-
act disparity and enable us to compare OBJ
servations registered by both. This has
been called the personal equation.
We are not concerned with the utility or
validity of the scientific tests thus applied
to observers. Whether the astronomer
on his work or not, this matter of personal
equation once suggested is very fertile in
other suggestions. We should like to APP
ply ii elsewhere.
Perhaps every really 'uccessful man in
life learns TO make some use Of the person
al equation. II am over-sanguine," says
the merchant. "The result of this invest
ment will be less than l am disposed to
think" Thus he applies the rule of the
personal equation to his business.
In the matter of opinion it would be well
to apply it. You know yourself by conf
parison with others to be too skeptieal. In
striking the balance between doubt and
faith you must needs throw something into
the scale on the side of faith, or you must
subtract the personal equation from the
force of your doubts, If you would arrive
at the truth. If you know yourself 10 be
too credulous, you will reverse the process.
So one may learn charity towards the be-
liefs of others. You do not like the ritua-
list Very good. But the rtualist sees one
side of a truth-you see another Perhaps
you are as one sided rs he is. Do not ridi-
Guile him. Strike the personal equation,
and remember how big is his dump" of
veneraton, how depressed is your organ of
reverence. And in this striking of a per-
sonal equation for the sake of liberation you
will not forget the influence of education.
If you, born Presbyterian and q Wing,
still accept the Catechism and believe a
protective tariff the highest duty of gov
erument, think how much your opinions
H., 10, oil lao toll a
Christian towards our neighbor, who was
born to heritage of Universalism and the
Democracy of a quarter of n century ago,
and who still believes the gates of heaven
open TO all corners, and that the ports of
the nation should be open to all commodi-
ties.
We are not trying to prove that there is
no such thing as truth and error in politics
and religion. We are only seeking to
show that the processes by which most of
us have come to our opinions are not such
as to warrant Us in assuming our views in
fallibly correct, and proceeding forthwith
in metaphorical fashion to burn our
neighbors for their differences from us.
In the treatment of those who have
wronged us, how much of charity We
should learn If we could only remember
the personal equation If we could make
due allowances for the natural bent, the
crook, the twist, the deformity of spirit,
the ill-temper, as much an Inheritance as a
elub-foot, we should learn a more divine
charity. And IL we should have the nobil-
ity to remember how much of every es-
arrangement was due TO our own defects of