The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-03-26
SeIrEeliance.

The habit of depending on Others
is an evidence of weakness. With
many it is natural. From early
childhood there are those who ap-
pear to need astronger person to lean
on. Like vines :hat must cling to
trees Tor support, some persons are
ever feeling after astronger influence
to bear them up Whether this can
be overcome. where il is inhereEt. j.
a question. 1t has been argued that
1T cannot. And vet there are cases
where under stress Of circumstances
natures that before were weak and
yielding. have become strong and
vigorous. 1t has often been re-
marked that women on shipboard
have shown in time of distress, for
titude and courage greater than that
of strong men. 1t thus seems clear
that this quality may be summoned
when occasion demands it. Can it be
cultivated for the ordinary uses Of
life?
Ssli-reliance is dependence on self
in emergencies and amid all the du-
ties and struggles of life. Some idea
OF what we are-the habit of self de
pendence-is a preparation for this.
And in order to accomplish this we
believe the more responsibility chill
dren are made to assume at home,
the better for them. For example,
round of duties may be assigned,
for the regular and correct perform
ance of which they are held respon-
sible. This supposes that they be
not reminded of those duties from
day to day, but expected to think of
and attend to them. 1t may be the
care OF a room, the setting apart Of
certain hours for study, and looking
after certain chores. No matter
what responsibility is attached, and
the children then left Ii careless,
it is evident that it is weak in avery
important particular. And educa-
tien along this line, may be regular
and constant. 1t is, however. only
the beginning.
In mere advanced stage this ele-
ment assumes the exercise of iudg-
ment. For child to merely per
form routine service does not bring
/ in play faculties which tend to sell
reliance. As rule, self-reliaat per
sons are those who have decided
opinions, and confidence in them.
/ They thus act. And judgment must
| be exercised in order To strengthen
and grow. As a rule, the best wav
20 promote this is to compel its ex-
srcise. and then aid by encouraging
criticism. Fault-fnding criticism Is
not. as a rule, good. Ittends to EN-
barrasE and discourage. But by
pointing out errors with judicious
praise, where deserved, and encour-
aging assurances, this quality may
be strengthened. We remember q
/ bev who for years could not be
/ learned to observe. Censure, abuse,
I ridicule and scorn only confused
and discouraged One day a gen
[ tleInan pointed out particulars of
certain objects in a pleasant, kindly
wav. The dormant faculties were
aroused in the boy, and hi. power OF
observation rapidly grew. So with
judgment. 1t is faculty that can
be cultivated and encouraged.
But all mental and even moral
qualities need to be encouraged, not
driven. These can be best promoted
in this way A lout may be driven
to manual labor. but the intelligent
must be encouraged. SO with moral
qualities. And self-reliance is a
moral quality, based on q certain
appreciation of our intellectual fac
ulties This quality may be so pro
NOTED that the pOssessor may be in
nexibly tenacious in any pursuit in
life. And it is this self-reliant te-
nacity that reaches ultimate success,
In many cases the difference in sue
cess or failure is that Of selt-reliauce
and teDacity in the promoter of an
enterprise. And where possessed. it
will override difficulties that appear
insurmountable to the weak. 1t is
quality that may well be cultiva-
ted.