Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-01-06
pailp Areus.
Saturday January 9. lss2.
Practical Virtue.


Oas of the wants Of the present age is e
more practical undertaking of the ele-
msnn that make up goodusss aud grestaess
in man. From the simplest teachings OF the
nursery 70 the most eloquent appsals OF the
pulpit, the lesson 70 be virtnous, to be no.
BILE, 70 be true, is taught ia every variety OF
form, and with every degree OF impressive
ness; aad il is often q subject Of sorrowful
wonder thu, better results do not follow 80
much zeal in 40 good . cause. Perhaps
one reason may be found in the fact that no
other instruction. is presented in so vague
and general form. In business, in me-
ohAnies, in ara, in everything which . man
is expected TO do, he IL carefully informed
and regularly pracIised in the details. No
theory is deemed sufficient, no general
counsel, however impressvely given,
thought adequate. But 10 aimiog at moral
excellence, in attempting TO live good
life, which is indeed the most important, as
well As the mos, practical Of all objects,
the instruction given is generally more Gu
thusiAstic in its sArnestnsss than explicit
in its teaching Oar ideas of human ex.
csllence are thus somewhat vague. We all
reverence goodness, we oil desire 10 possess
il, many earnestly strive after il, bat few
nave N0uthpbkOu OF NnA IL lu-
cludes, AnAlyze its details, or comprehen-
sively gTssp its unity. Oar great men are
those distinguished IN science, in philoso
phY,iu art, Ia sIAtsamAnship, bat Of the
type Of character In itself great, because
Of its moral excellence, apart from any
special occupation, our conception is moi
sufficiently clear to enable us 10 point ou
the representatives. That they are living
among uS, and might be our leaders il
hfes great campaign Is certain; bat how u
know them, how 10 recognize the true NOR
81 hero, and to distinguish his greatness
from that success in life which goes by tn,
same name, is problem yet unsOlved.
IL is often asserted that duty is simple
that the will, and not the undertaking. i
at fault, when men do not act up to wis
they already know. This is true; but dut
ia Of Two kinds-negativs and positive
Doing wrong in the commonly receive
notion, 10 yielding to something forbidden
Bat the simple avoidance Of evil is bat tn
frat radimenI Of goodness. After resistin
temptation, what are we TO do with our III,
given US for positive and worthy results
Oar duties press upon us somewhat cor
fasedly, often ioStling each other and CLAIM
ing precedence, and we need q morI
criterion 70 arrange them into de6nil
shape. We all admit that we should Low
and benefit our neigh Dor, bat when we hAv
TO face the every day cares and lGbors
life, and 70 decide in what way to show thI
love, what sacrifice to make, and what tin
to Dss,ow, we look 10 vain for help or guiC
Ancs. Courage is by all esteemed esssnti
60 . noble character. Bot while the Aucisn
trained their youth step by step in tn
quality, inuring them TO danger until fol
was gradually conquered, We content on
selves with general exhortstions, which al
comparatively fruitlsss. In the choice
az occupation, that serious step in your
mans life, where, il ever, he needs the clei
light Of wisdom TO shine upon his path, no
seldom are its special IN oral bearings, Il
temptations, iIs adaptation 70 she dlspos
ton, its influence on the character studio
anSlyzed, and applied az tssts2 Content
believe that there 10 nc actual guilt in an
he usually feels free TO consult only his ow
preference, or, still oftener, to make Il
single question, ''in which can | make Il
most money! the only ground OF choic
In the same way the duties Of employs
aud employed beyond their mere legal col
tracts are not examined, sifted and inculos
cd, nor are those who worthily fulfil the
held up ss models fos imitation. The
is 100 much content with things as they ar
as they may chance to frame themselves
We are too easily satisfied in avoiding pI
pAble wrong, forgetting that duty is ev
pushing onward and upward, and reach
not only 10 the best that we know, but
the best that it is possible for US TO d
cover.
There Is no means more potent 10 tou
the heart, and promote the growth OF goo
ness, than example The philosophy
virtue, ever so profoundly discussed, Il
theory Of morals ever so accurately lai
are not adequate TO reduce them TO prs
tios. We are stil left TO generAlisies, VIII
action deals in minute details. The lives
men and women truly great in goodness a
more effectuAl--both in their living lntluen
and in the records they leave behind
inoite all, aud especially the young, to Ii
virtues, than any premeditated efforts, no
ever well directed. The written histories
such, when the author has himself cleArnt
Of mind and purity OF heart, aud when
brings strong points into bold relief,
sminently useful. The good man, be-
high or low in station in whStevsr busine
or profession, in not only lovely and estin
BILE, bat is the strongest and clsarest with,
20 the beauty Of virtue. His light shot
not be hidden. We should seek for it, .
bring it into view as eagerly as we place
beacon high. to guide the psrplsxsd travel
In every walk OF life there are some who
worthy Of imitation. Let Us re- dice to op
up their exosllsnoies to others They {
ths bss. teachers Of the world.-PhiLdd
phia Ledger.