The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-01-20


s seIoi. ..sst 10 ;--,S -sT II fnef-se q it.
fhe palpable exhibitions of selfish lnlus-
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 classes-the
one self-pleasing and wrong, the other
self-denying and right.
Such classification, however, IL not
merely rough, it is absolutely erroneous.
The value Of self-denial does not reside
in itself as an end, but only as a means
to higher state in which 1t is no longer
needed. For example, a greedy child
needs careful training in habits requlr-
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 sef-denlal Ia this dIrec-
ton. Tor a more intelligent self-love pre-
fers the possession of health to the IN
diligence of the palate. The right-doing
that was once so painful has become
pleasant. So the child who selfishly
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 nelghbors
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 ike
road which must be travelled to reach
some desired end, but which we gladly
leave behind us when the goal is reached.
1t is when right-doing no longer costs a
panp that it arrives at its best condition.
Moral progress is not simply the work
ing up to a self-denying condition OF
mind, it Is also working through self
denial to pleasurable well doing. While,
therefore, it is needful to insist on self
denial whenever right action demands
it, it is by no means Just to limit our ap-
proval to those actions alone.
There is indeed a 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, nc
struggle, no collision of motives. The
parent who truly and intelligently loves
his children does not pause to CONSIDER
his own case when their necessities de
mand his exertion; there Is no contes
in his mind between his duty to then
and his own happiness, for the two ar
consonant: his heart springs to plal
this he best pleases himself. The her
who claims our admiration by leapinl
into the fire or the water unhesitatlngl.
TO save another's life has not been com
pelled or driven to the act by sense Q
duty. at war with, and finally overcorn
ing his desire of safety. 1t Is, on tn
contrary his quick and ready sympath
sprincing to action without consciou
self-denial which commands the homag
of every looker-on.y f
Not in extraordinary cases alone, bu
in the everyday affairs of life, much c
the right-doing is pleasant. 1t is nc
self-denial that makes the lover of jus
tice upright and honorable in all hi
dealings (; he could not descend 10 mean
ness or unfairness IN his business, @
take advantage of poverty or ignorane
to enrich himself without persons
sense of degradation far more painful t
bear than any pecuniary loss. So tn
generous and sympathetic man bestow
his time, thought or money upon thos
who need it, with pleasure to -hinlseli
not with pain. The patriotic statesmal
in securing the welfare OF his country
fulfilling his own earnest desire. Th
striver after excellence in any occcupa
tion, while benefting the world, is q
the same time ministering TO his ow
happiness. And the best work in an
department is that which has been +
source of pleasure TO the performer =
Philadelphia Public Ledger.
- fAN 1Htff Ia4 ar a-at e.