St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-02-09
ST. gnhInsbnp earadrmp Column.
The Measure of a Man.

What is the measure of a man? In
what way can we determine the great
ness or lack of greatness of any in
dividual? What are those features or
characteristics that render a man great
The standard by which man should
be measured is not the same as that
which would he used in determining
the relative proportions of other created
objects. Saul, who was taller by his
head and shoulders than any other of
the Israelites, was not so great in Gods
sight as the humble shepherd boy, who,
whether keeping his fathers flocks,
fighting against the enemies of the
Lord, or ruling peacefully in his own
kingdom, put all his trust in the God of
his fathers. Bodily stature, then, is not
one of the essential qualifications of the
great man.
A man of property, bountifully sup
piled with the goods of this world, or
in common parlance rich man, is not
necessarily great. In order to prove
this it is not necessary to picture to our
imaginations a miser, old and infrm,
and without single redeeming trait OF
character, gloating over his treasures
but who of us ever regarded the Baron
ROthschild, for instance, as a great man,
in the true sense of the word On the
contrary, how many cases might he
cited of those, who, although reared in
poverty, have been among the greatest
men of this country? Hence, riches dc
not constitute the measure of man.
What, then, are the Distinguishing
characteristics, the peculiar qualities
that, if bestowed more bountifully than
usual upon any one, make him regarded
as great man?
First may be mentioned piety. With
out this no one is regarded great in the
sight of the omnipotent Judge. The
truly great man is the truly good man
Those who are to-day venerated as th'
greatest men the country has produced
have been preeminent in this most i'm
portant regard. In this Centennial yea
to whom can we more appropriately
point than George Washington, whose
life is well known to have been one o
deep religious influence.
Another quality of the great man
secondary only to that of piety, is in
telligence, the gift of perceptive ant
reasoning faculties of the mind in ;
large degree. In some cases man
greatness is commensurate with tn
faculties of his mind but this depend
solely on the way in which these facul
ties are employed. If they are used fo
selfish and ignoble ends they will Prov
destructive to his greatness but if, ol
the contrary, they are devoted to TIN
good of mankind, and to his elevation
in the moral and social scale of being
such person is great indeed, and re
ceives the benedictiOn of the human
race. What illustrations of this W
have i'm the lives of Lincoln and Sum
ner which were devoted to the enfran
chisement of the negro! And in tn
lives of many persons who have devote,
large intellectual endowments to inces
SAINT labor for the spiritual good {
mankind!
Another essential characteristic of tn
great man is benevolence; kindl
feeling to his fellow-men, manifesto
by a willingness to assist and encOurag
them. Who is respected or honOred b
mankind that invariably refuses all az
peals for sympathy or aid ? Who tia;
: pursues this course can lay any clail
to the title great? 4? How many instance
might be cited of those, who, althoug
, having characters in many respects e2
emplary, have forfeited the respect
their associates by this lack of benev'
), lence, while the fame of such me
as Amos Lawrence and John HOwal
grows brighter and brighter with tt
lapse of time.
In conclusion let us always, in Of
attempts to ascertain the true greatne
of any individual, take as our standal
the only correct model, our Saviour, Il
Perfect Man, remembering that we C;
be great only as we follow in his foo
r. steps.
: Were so tall to reach the pole
Or mete the ocean by my span,
must be measured by my soul;
The minds the measure of the man."
E. d. H.