Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-07-22
Domestic.

IOm tue crdOl6 70 tuo
grave the character of an individual,
like his body, is undergoing constant
changes. 1t grows, it develops, it
natures, it ripens, until the frost of
death gives it the fixedness of marble |;
then as the tree falls so it shall lie.
Character, like stature, temperament,
tendency, is to a great extent inherited.
Parents outline their children before
their birth, and herein is q thought that
should give many parent food for re-
lection.
Great as is the influence of various
circumstances in moldipg character, the
influence of ones own will may be-
equally potent. Thought and affiic-
tiou, passion, hell itself, she turns to
favor and to prettiness," said Laertes
of Ophelia when her reason was "like
sweet bells tangled, and out of tune. ?"
Even thus may the strong will compel
poverty, disaster, bereavement, no less
than prosperity and happiness, to be-
come the ministers of grace and perfect
ness to the aspiring, resolute, patient
sonl.
The corner stoneof all noble character
is truth, and as the virtues ever go
hand in hand, with this will naturally
be associated purity, justice, integrity,
reverence. Therefore the first endeavOr
of the parent should be to quicken in
his child's heart the love of truth, the
hatred OF fasehood. The first effort of
him who would turn away from evil and
love good is to cultivate:in himself per
feet sincerity and utter truthfulness.
With this as foundation there is no
limit to the possible growth of the hu-
man soul toward absolute virtue and
perfectness.
Just as tendencies in the body to
disease and deformity may be modified,
and sometimes eradicated by severe
and skillful regimen, so may faults In
character be purged and smoothed
away flaws may be polished out and
virtues incorporated, if, while it is still
plant, the right steps are taken to
make it symmetrical and we'll rounded.
A single element of weakness or of
vice may taint the entire character.
For awhile it may seem firm and sound,
but as little leaven leaveneth the
whole lump, so the outgrowth of one
vicious thought may gradually under
mine the strongest principle and blast
the labors of lifetime. 1t is not safe
to have one inch of wormy timber in
the stOutest ship; it is not safe to
harbOr in the heart the smallest element
that is not wholly virtuous for when
the fiery blasts of temptation try the
soul, if stubble is found therein, it will
surely be consumed and leave behind
it blackened, gaping chasm.
Down deep in the inner man, where
no eye but God can see, and only the
consciousness of the individual can
penetrate, should be laid away against
the day of trial solid bars and bullion
of gold, so that the promises to pay"
can all be made good, dollar for dollar.
We want no imitation here here not
even "the best currency in the world"
will answer the purpose. The image of
our virtue must be stamped in current
gold.
Not by accident or chance does the
choicest fruit mature upon our trees.
How carefully we prune them how
closely we watch to destroy their
enemies; how skillfully We cultivate
them, and how We rejoice when success
CiOWHS Jul iaDofS INot Uy hCCiucht VI
chance did Charles Sumner become the
noble man he was. How diligently did
he cultivate art, literature, and the
virtues that made for him the spotless
character he wears SO proudly and will
wear forever.
Our labors of aspiration and con-
quest must last till the breath leaves
the body. 1t is never safe to rest upon
our oars until We are anchored IN the
harbor. Life is full of adverse currents
that even when We are almost ashore
may drift us away from the desired
haven.
A youth devoted to the cultivation of
essential virtue, a middle life spent in
the exercise of whatever is ennobling
and beDeticent, an old age showing the
ripe fruit of integrity and honor-what
higher aspiration can a human being
have than to realize these in succession.
The life which is lived rightly has made
provision for the life that is to come,
for Immortality.