The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-07-15
Pleasant Right-Doing.

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self-denial as an important element in
1 right-doing sometimes leads us to under
rate all actions that do not include il
The palpable exhibitions of selfish inius.
tice that casts all self-denial to the winds
and seeks only personal and present
qualifications are so repulsive to the just
and generous that they are apt to divide
all actions roughly into two olasses--ths
one self-pleasing and wrong, the Other
self-denying and right.
Such classification, however, II moi
merely rough, it is absolutely erroneous.
The value Of self-denial does not reside
in itself as an end, but only a. means
to higher state in which it is no longer
needed. For example, q greedy child
needs careful training in habits requir-
ing constant self denial-but years pass,
the habit of restraint is acquired, reason
dominates, and in maturity he no longer
finds the need Of self-denial in this direc-
ton, for more intelligent self-love pre-
fers the possession Of health to the in
diligence Of the palate. The right-doine
that was once SO painful has become
pleasant So the child who selishly
snatches the property OF his playmate
violently away, presently learns by
teaching and experience the far higher
enjoyment of justice and sympathy, and
when he is man it costs him no pain to
refrain from snatching his neighbours
purse, although his desire for money may
be even stronger than his childish desire
for the coveted plaything
So, in every case, self-denial is like q
road which must be travelled 10 reach
some desired end, but which we gladly
leave behind us when the goal is reached.
1t is when right-doing no longer costs
pang that it arrives at its best condition.
Moral progress is not sim, the work.
ing up to q self-denying condition OF
mind, it is also working through self
denial to pleasurable well doing. While,
therefore, it is ncedful to insist on self
denial whenever right action demands
it, it is by no means just to limit our APP
proval to those actions alone.
There is indeed very large proper
ton Of good and noble deeds that contain
no element of self-denial they are per-
formed with pleasure and avidity there
is no painful sense Of obligation, no
struggle, no collision Of motives. The
parent who truly and inteligently loves
his children does not pause to consider
his own case when their necessities de-
mand his exertion there is no contest
in his mind between his duty to them
and his own happiness, for the two are
consonant; his heart springs to plan
and labor ter their good, and in doing
this he best pleases himself. The hero
who claims our admiration by leaping
into the fire or the water unhesitatingly
to save anothers life has not been COM
PEELED or driven to the act by sense OF
duty, at war with, and finally overcom-
ing his desire of safety. 1t is, on the
contrary, his quick and ready sympathy
springing 10 action without conscious
self denial which commands tho homage
Of every looker-on.
Not in extraordinary cases alone, but
in the every day affairs of life, much OF
the right-doing is pleasant. II is not
self-denial that makes the lover Of JUS
tice upright and honorable in all his
dealings be could not descend to mean
ness or unfairness in his business, OF
take advantage of poverty or ignorance
to enrich hinself without personal
sense Of degradation far more painful To
bear than any pecuniary loss. So the
generous and sympathetic man bestowa
his time, thought or money upon those
who need it, with pleasure to himself,
not with pein. The patriotic statesman
in securing the welfare OF his country ID
fulfilling his own earnest desire. The
striver after excellence in any occcupa-
ton, while benefting the world, is at
the same time ministcring to his own
happiness. And the J,st work in any
department is that which has been 9
source of pleasure to the performer. -
Philadelphia Public Ledger.