The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-09-29
NO. 12.
Correcting Faults.

eApenusu upVu negative tHuH hHuh
positive work. We sec tho vices that
aiflict mankind, and try to subduo
them we see error and try to e1termi-
nate It we see oppression and tyranny
flourish, and endeayor to crushit. Our
legal enactments, our public aud social
reforms, our private benevolcnce, all
point in one direction, that Of restraint,
Counteraction, antagonism. The same
is true, in great measure, with regard
to moral education. Parents And teach
ers are aiming to correct faults, to him
der mistakes, to avert evil influences,
to check folly, to oppose wrong doing.
It is not strange, therefore, when We
see the terrible consequences that flow
from misconduct, that our minds should
dwell upon its enormity, and our atten.
tion be chiefly directed to tho work of
uprooting it as fur as possible,
Yet tho mission which education and
benevolenco have 10 perform in the
world is less o negative than n positive
one. It is better to build noble edi-
llce than to tear down unsightly ruins,
better to plant flowers than to pull up
weeds, better to inculcate positive vir-
tues than to attack their contrasting
vices. A great change has gradually
passed over the medical profession in
regard to the view taken Of diseasc and
its proper treatment. Once it was
thought to be M actual existence that
must be attacked and driven out OF the
system by violent measures. Now 1t is
regarded rather as deficiency of the
vital powers, and q failure to perform
their function, than as any foreign in.
truder rather MS n lnck to DO supplied
than an entity to be extorminaGd. The
wise physician OF tho present day,
therefore, directs his attention to the
work Of restoring vitality and assisting
nature in her own efforts to regain
heaIthful action, aud thus without direct
attack disease is most effecLually baflled.
Something similar is tho true method OF
treating moral disease, for stiCh may all
sinfulness and misdoing be called.
This is the lack Of moral health and vi
tality, and whatever will most fully re-
store and promote tie rigor md tone OF
virtuous life will be also tho most
efTectual in subduinp md overcoming
the various forms Of evil and sin that
now desolate the world.
Thus, in the edGcltion Of youth, II is
not the wisest plan continually to bring
faults to light, discussing and repre-
hending them. They will DO far more
easily checked by clerishing Tie antag-
onistic virtues. II habits Of truthful
ness, integrity purity and industry nre
carefully cultiva!edby the parent, there
will be but little need Of holding up for
reprehension sins like lying, theft and
profanity. The mind soon learns to
tolerate what 1t dwells upon, and vice
often presented, even for condemnation,
grows at length familiar, and loses its
most revolving features. Certainly Of
fences must be dealt with, and by no
means ignored or slurred over When
they occur their truo character and
effects must be disclosed without either
extenuation or exaggeration, and the
offender led to see that he las forfeited
therespect andregard ofthcinnOcent and
yirtuous. But such experiences, though
not to be Stunned when they come, can.
not be relied upon Ms the chief antidote
to wrong.doing. The daily cultivation
OF positive good Is the very best means
Of averting evil.
Not only in the family and school, but
in all the other scenes Of life, does this
truth hold good. To cultivate habits OF
industry and independence will do far
more towards reforming the idle and
improvilent than to heap censure upon
them, however it may be merited. To
instil a sense OF Justice andlntegrity, is
a much greater safeguard against dis
honesty than the firmest locks and bars.
To inspire the heart with ambition for
worthy objects, and to infuse the desire
for self-improvement, are better cor
receives Of debasing amusOments and
vicious company than Nll tho homilies
that could be pronounced against them.
The earnest promulgation Of one solid
truth is worth more than tho violent de.
nuncintion Of twenty errors.
The employer who, instead Of finding
fault, scoldiIg, and awakening in those
who serve him feelings Of resentment
and ill.tempcr, encourages and stimu-
lates them by kind notice and liberal
praise when merited, is training them
to habits of fidelity and industry that
no stern rcbukes and harsh severity
could ever induce. There Is cheer.
fulness attending this positive method
OF doing good that is specially attrac-
tive md winning. Fear, rObuke, and
condemnation are depressing in theil
influence, while hope, encouragement,
and sympathy excite the faculties to re,
newed exertion, and animate the heart
to noble cndeavors. II Is true That II
requires patience, watchiulncss, self,
control, iorethought, and, above all
filth in human nature. II is far easier
TO censure the wrong tlian TO cultivate
tho right. To do the latter needs Z
hopeful, earnest, cheerful spirit, moi
easily depressed or dRunted, and able
to infuse its own nature into the hearts
Of others. II needs charity thai
makes allowance for faults and short.
never! never Yield ID to despair, q iosS that hat shai! bali
melt all coldness. The results will
more than reward the truly benevolenl
heart in the real good accomplished
The impetus thus given to moral energy
will never spend itself /; the fire of wor
thy ambition thus aroused md quick
ened will never be extingllshed tht
positive virtue thus established viii