Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-02-27

Rise from disaster ana Oe1eal
The stronger,
And conscious still of the divine
Within them. lie on earth suplne
OHa1ssr's Magazine fy, RarsI.
irresoiutioa.
Some men are born with natural IN
trinity of character which, if humored,
amounts 10 an inability to make up their
minds, to keep toone intention-to regard
any decision as final A variety of causes
NAV seem to underlie this weakness
causes arising from an oyer-keen and
ready perception of all the bearings OF
the question in hand, or from mere
feebleness of character, rendering all
grasp of subject, all effectual hold, i'm.
possible 1t may be an intellectual or a
moral failing. one due to Judgment
paralyzed by extent of choice, or to a
conscience, made slippery by habitual
disregard of its monitions; but, in either
case, its effects upon mans character
and career are patent to others. People
NAV have many faults which work III
secret, which observers only guess at by
seeing their consequences; but lrresolu-
ton works in the open, and Is sooner de-
tected by the looker-on than by the man
himself, who is a prey to tins enervatlnS
influence. What seems to the lrresolute
temper the mere exercise Of a profound
Judgment, or refined taste, Is detected by
those who are inconvenienced, irritated,
or injured by it, as the slip and biemish
which weakens, loosens, renders futile,
the whole course of life and action. The
irresolute man, whatever his position or
his powers, not only fails to himself, but
is felt by those about him to be useless
for the parts of counsellor, supporter, or
advocate. He is essentially incompetent
for these offices. His own course Is de
terminod. not by intention, but by
chance; his Judgment wants the educa-
ton of personal experience. No ore
can remain eternally suspended between
two courses of action, for the world
moves, and situations change, however
much a man may desire TO keep them at a
standstill till his mind is made up.
Something, irrespective of his judgment,
steps in and takes the matter IN hand.
While he deliberates on the highest con-
ceivable best-best in itself, or best for
him-while he fluctuates, accident settles
the'matter. with little regard for his credit
or interest. 1t is difficult. La Bruyere
>.
4 man more unfortunate or contemptible,
whether there is more harm i'll making
wrong decision, or making noneat all. A
step which a man Is driven to take, under
the conpulsion of eternal circumstances.
is seldom taken at the right time. Owing
to this demand for action, even IN the most
vacillating-this impossibility of eternal
indecision, where other men and other
interests are concerned-irresolutlon is
necessarily allied with precipitation. The
man incapable of final. lmmovable resolve
decides, at length, on an impulse which
has nothing to do with choice. Irreso-
lutte men are rash men prone toact on the
spur Of the moment, III order to defeat
the intirmity, and put it out of their pow
er to hesitate and shilly-shally.
There are cases when these contending
qualities play somewhat fatally upon one
another. Thus the impulse of the mo-
ment commits a man to 0 course OF ac-
ton. Knowing his weakness, he is pre-
cipatate in making promises but then
steps in the habit of his mind; ne de-
hberates and hangs suspended, when the
slower process of performance ought to
follow. IrresolutiOn splits INTO two. or
into many parts, what should be only one
act. With the healthy, reasonable mind,
promise involves its performance; but
irresolution never considers anything as
settled 50 long as change is possible.
Every hindrance, every difficulty, Is an
argument for a reversal, or breach of con-
tract. either with ones self, or others.
As a fact, all important undertakings,
and promises engaged in under strong
impressions, and warm feelings, are fol
lowed by change of temperature In the
undertaken and promiser. The habit OF
keeping to your word, because 1t has
been passed, whether to yourself, alone
sustains the will under the reaction.
what terrible moments, SAID Pope,
''does enc feel after one has engaged III n
large work In the beginning of my
translating the Had, | wished everybody
would hang me thousand times !" 1t Is,
of course, this relaxation of the minds
fibre which lies at the bottom of all de-
cent forms of jilting, whether in maa or
woman. The promiser awakes to the
fact that he las done n tremendous thing.
This may happen to the firm as well as to
the weak, but the irresolute are i'll the
habit Of vacillation, and, also, IN the
habit Of justifying 1t as reasonable de-
liberation. 1t comes easily to them to
hesitate, or to betray hesitation. The
constant mind knows that it is III for 1t,
and instantly RECEIVERS from the temporary
panic. II Is no time to weigh the ques-
tion when the step Is once taken
thought and deliberation have finally
given place TO action.
In smaller matters, promises become a
habit to the irresolute, as being dissociat-
ed from performance. 4 man gives or
accepts an invitation in one mood, and
backs out of it when he thinks Of the in
convenience he may incur. He promises
a gift, and, when the moment Of parting
with what he values arrives, he finds him
self different man from the rich donor,
his former self The arguments which
should be silenced by strong will, press
with gathering force, and grow i'll weight,
as the notion Of the imminence of a crisis
possesses the mind with him, the fulfill
ment Of promise is the crisis, not the
making it. Whether justly OF not, Gar
rick's friends considered him as a framer
of good intentions which he had not reso-
luton TO keep. Foote said Of him that
he often set out with the design of per
forming Il generous act, but the ghost Of
half-penny, meeting him at the corner
of street. sent him home again. The
pain OF fulfllmcnt is the only cure for
this vacIllating temper, the only lesson
of any avail, Mere regrets. mere peni-
tence for past imprudence will do moth
ing. Promises become a habit, unless
they are sternly held to performance.
Nor will the conscience long warn against
them, for all the pleasures Of benevolence
can fill mind of this class quite npart
from the fultillment of airy int tentions.-
Saturday Reric'c.
WEDDING FEFs.-It having been stated
recently that the Rev. John Hall received
about $4,000 a year as wedding fees, MIR.
Hall says that he has never received fee of
over 800 at any one time, and not as much
as $500 from marriages in any one year.
Having thus knocked -, $50 OF Of his we'd
ding fee account, Mr.. Hall proceeds 10 de
nounce the whole wedding fee business.