Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-10
SeIt-COntidence,


available, must be associated with GER
tain degree of self-confidence. Many
timid child postpcnes his first attempt
at walking simply because he lacks the
courage to exercise an ability which he
fully possesses; and many man let's a
noble scheme and grand enterprise fall to
the ground from the same cause. Vanity
and self-conceit are such disagreeable
characteristics, and so frequently accom-
pany such an inferior grade of knowledge
and power, that in justly visiting them
with contempt and apprehension we are
disposed to forget that there may be an
opposition extreme of Interpretation
and distrust which may paralyze efforts
and render latent power utterly useless.
There are some who never seem to be-
lieve themselves capable of anything;
they see others press forward to attempt
to achieve, and shrink back into de-
spcndent inactivity. Having no faith in
themselves, they undertake nothing, and
effect nothing. If they are convicted of
some fault Or bad habit, they have so lit
tie hope of being able to cure it that
they scarcely make an effort. If some
avenue OF usefulness and honor opens up
before them, they draw back, almost
sure that they should not succeed, and
decline to enter. If some duty presses
urgently upon their conscience, they try
to quiet its promptings by pleading in
ability. Thus their lives pass away in
uselessness, their faculties do net devel-
OPP, their characters do not improve, their
abilities are wasted, they dWindle into
insigniticance, and all this not for the
lack of power, but for the
want of confidence and courage that
would set that power into good. practical
working order. There are certain
obstacles in every path that can only be
overcome by the presence of this con-
fidence. There are outward hindrances
to encounter, opposition to meet, diff
culties to surmount, prejudices to sweep
away, the very presence of which will
terrify and appall the wavering and des-
pendent, while they will melt away
before the firm dignity of selt-respect and
self-reliance. There are, also, the innumer-
able obstacles from within, inclinations
to curb, passions to restrain, desires 10
guide, temptations to resist; these also
need not only the power to deal with
them, but confidence in that power that
can alone make it effective.
How then is this much needed quality
to be acquired? With some, doubtless,
it is Unborn, and as natural as the breath
they draw. It is seen in the firm step,
the erect carriage, the determined eye
there is no shrinking from difficulty, but
an ieagerness to cope with it; no pleading
off from duty on the ground of incapac-
ity, but a full reliance on the ability to
peri Jrm it. Sometimes, indeed, this
may be exaggerated, and an overestimate
of self may tinge the character with con-
ceit; an extreme to be equally avoided.
The evils of the extreme, however, should
never blind us to those of the other, and
true self-contidence is perfectly con-
sistent with true modesty. He whoIknOws
his own power and believes in it will be
likely also to know its limits, and we
usually find that the Boosting and as
sumption, which is SO offensive to good
taste, proceeds rather from desire to
impress others with an exalted opinion
of self than from any dignity and we'll
grounded self-reliance.
Much may be done for the young in
| this respect. AS general thing, we are
too chary in praising and encouraging
their efforts, too free in criticising and
deprecating them. Many a child's pow
ers, in various directions, are thrust back
into inactivity by the cold, unapprecia-
tive reception they meet with. Children
| quickly adopt the sentiments of their
elders, and soon learn to put the same
value on their own powers that others
do. The parent, the teacher, and the
employer can easily teach lessons of self
depreciation which may cling through
life, and forever prevent the development
of powers thBt under more favorable au-
spices might have proved blessing to
the community. Or, on the other hand,
by cheerful encouragement and whole
some commentator, they may nourish
many tiny germ of ability and talent
that may one day come to be mighty
influence in the world.
Constant and persevering effort 10 the
best cure for an unhealthy self-deprecia.
ton. He who thinks that he can accom-
plish nothing, and makes no endeavor
will soon destroy whatever abilities he
may possess; Incidence and self-dispar
agement go hand in hand and act and re
act, each on the other. But noble aims
and steadfast industry will give true
estimate Of self and its powers, and the'
in their turn will rapidly develop anC
improve under the sunshine of firm ant
well-grounded confidence. Activity il
the essential condition of growth, ant
growth is the only cure toKen of life ant
power.-P Philadelphia Ledger.
At Lake City the other day Andrew
Woods, under the assumed name of Charlie
W. Moore, undertook to pass forged not