West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-05-11
Self-ReSpect.

Seif-ReSpecJ.
Every genuine self-helping man
ought to respect himself. He is the
centre of his own little world. His
personal loves, likings, experiences,
hopes, and fears, how important
they are to him, although Of. little
consequence to others!. They affect
his happiness, his daily life, and
his whole being as a man. He can
not, therefore, but feel interested,
deeply interested, in all that con-
Germs himself. To dojustice a man
must think well, not only of him
self, but of the duties he owes to
others! He must not aim too low,
but regard man as created "a little
lower than the angels" Let him
think of his high destiny, of the
eternal interest in which he has a
part, of the great scheme of nature
and Providence, of the intellect with
which he has been endowed, of the
power of loving conferred upon him,
of the home on earth provided for
him, and he will cease to think
meanly of himself. The poorest
human being is the centre of two
eternities, the Creator overshadow-
ing all. Hence, let every man re-
spect himself, his body, his mind,
his character. Self-respect, origi-
mating in self love, instigates the
first step of improvement. 1t slim
ulates a man to rise, to look up
ward, to develop MS intelligence, to
improve his condition. Self-re-
spect is the root of most of the vir-
tues of cleanliness, chastity, rever-
ence, honesty, sobriety. To think
meanly of ones self is to sink,
sometimes to descend a precipice, at
the bottom of which is infamy. Ev-
cry man can help himself to some
extent. We are not mere straws
thrown upon the current to mark
its course; but are possessed of free
dom of action, endowed with power
to stem the waves and rise above
them, each marking out a course
for himself. We can each elevate
ourselves in the scale of moral be-
ing. We can cherish pure thoughts
We can perform good actions. We
can live soberly and frugally. We
can provide against the evil day. We
can read good books, listen to wise
teachers, place ourselves under the
divinest influences on earth. We
can live for the highest purposes,
and with the highest aims in view
The man who improves himself i'm
proves the. world. He adds one
more true man to the mass, and the
mass being made up of individuals,
it is clear that, were each to i'm
prove himself, the result would be
the improvement of the whole. So
cial advancement is the result of
individual advancement. Society
at large is but the reflex of individ-
ual condition. Then again, man
when he has improved himself is
better able to improve those who
are brought in contact with him.
He has more power. His sphere of
vision is enlarged. He sees more
clearly the defects in the condition
of others which might be remedied.
He can lend a more active helping
hand to raise them. He has done
his duty by himself, and can with
more authority urge upon others
the necessity of doing the like duty
to themselves. How can man be
social elevator who is himself walk
ing In the mire of self-indulgence?
The sum and substance of our re-
marks is this: In all the individ-
ual reforms or Improvements that
we desire, we must begin with our
selves. We must exhibit our Cos
pei in ourown life. Wemust teach
by our example. If we would have
others elevated we must elevate
ourselves.-Snmueg Smiles.
The seat of a juryman absent
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