The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-02-22
ORIGINALITY.

ORIGINALITY.
Apart from the claims that the higher life
has upon us, originality may be truthfully
said to have the primary position in the con-
struction of our character.
Character is reserved force which acts
directly by presence and without means :"
Mans success depends not SO much on his
ability as on his character; yet ability is the
keystone of the character, and originality the
browning jewel Our tendency is to initiate
This in itself is proper, and those who wish
to achieve the greatest success, should have
constantly before them, as the sculptor has
his model, their ideal of manhood. But we
are unlike the artist, in that he initiates the
virtues and avoids the faults, while we, too
often, change the order, and initiate the
faults and discard the virtues; and the more
we do this, the weaker we become. If the
rose bush were to take on part of the nature
of the wild weed then would the unfolding
bud be less fragrant. So if we are not eau
tious we will initiate the faults and bury the
virtues of our ideal man, for all men have
their faults.
Every man owes to his neighbor, himself,
and to present himself in any other manner,
he both robs them of some benefit and cheats
himself of some glory.
Originality is always rewarded the great
Michael Angelo was original, and what artist
has been able to produce such delicate shades
or whose productions are SO universally adj
mired?
We are all placed in this life to perform
our part, and to do that successfully, we must
remain in our God given sphere. Humanity
can make no improvement on the divine
economy! Each man forms link in the
cho bot hold haox
gether, and each particular link has its own
peculiar shape. Every tree in the forest has
a color peculiar to itself, and every mountain
possesses shape different from every other;
so that the verdure of the forest and the
towering mountain present picture such as
the art of no man can equal. If the divine
artist has so wisely arranged nature for the
use of man, rs it not probable that he designed
that every manSshould have his peculiar work
to perform, and that in the most economical
manner. AS some persons can do some things
better than others, does it not follow that
every man, in order to elevate his fellow and
lead mankind nearer to perfection, should be
original to be known as he knows himself,
and labor in his own sphere? Alteration is
an evidence of weakness. The highest ac-
complishment of our race consists in the de-
veloping and celebrating of individuality.
LII is one OF the most eu6Ctual means OF
spreading refined taste throughout COM
munity. A work of genius shines in its
greatest efficiency when into it the whole
soul of man is put.
Let men sit on the throne of individuality
and proclaim their convictions in sincerity
and power. Let the outward man reflect the
inner man. In attempting to assume a diff
ferent nature, men fail to understand the i'm
portance of their individuality. The greatest
benefactcr of mankind is he who has exercis-
ed the most individuality, because he has full
filed according to his capacity the will of his
creator.
What man who has penetrated into his in
nermost nature, has not found treasured up
within, the germs of true success? The
propagation of these transcends all things
else Men too often determine on success,
to secure which they sacrifice originality and
distort their God-given faculties. Men have
something to communicate to each other, and
whatever this communication, let it be rem
dered from the true individual Men unfold
the highest truths when they permit them
selves to remain in their own spheres.
Individuality imparts to every thing it
touches rich, soft and peculiar color, max
ing on the mind lasting and useful impress
sion, penetrating beyond the present period
and reaching into the future ages. Edmund
G. Httlts, IN Coast Pilot.