The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-11-04
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that robs me Of my good name takes that
that which enricheth not himself, but makes
me poor indeed" Men Of worth, In every sta
tion OF lifeMen Of Industrious Is, haoi.s OF
command the spontaneous respect OF man
Kind. AS no hair is so small but it Will cast n
shadow, so no act of ours is go tnsigni1cant as
acts reproduce themselves in others by the
force OF example, for action and reaction Is
the same in the moral rs the mechanlcal law.
The career of q man Of character remains an
mingies with the dust, and he, as man, may
he forgotten, but his thoughts ana MS acts Is
live in the memory Of his survivors, ana
leaves an indelible impress upon his race, me
and at home. Milton aptly said: "Childhood
shows the man, as morning shows the day"
1t is thus, generally, In early years that Inc
germs of virtue or vice ore planted that de-
termine the character for life. Too m uch
of being careful with whom we associate. -,
Nothing good can long stand alone.Clike 9
begets like and all that Is good Is dlnuslve
in its influence. Goodness and characte1,
like the substance and the shadow, are insep,,
arabic. The real basis of character, as OF az
other virtues, Is self-control. If it is properly
exercised purity Of action becomes ha6ituG1 1i
.s,a lire is e ssn yse spors o sss
pulse, become the slave OF cultiynted con.
science. He who would build for htmsei
symmetrical character must meet the ooliga-
tions Of duty with nnfa!tering pr6mP{ongiSs a{nniSo
before the lisping lips are taught-"Now iay
me down to sleep"-and ending only when we
are wrapped in the windlng.sheet or aeatn; sit,;
Disregard duty to those In rightful authority
equals, and duty to God, and we can no more
hope to win m abiding place In public conf
dcnce than we can mingle tre ana Water
without heating one or exllngIiSnihg Ite
other. There is yet another essenna. inA oan ~
Justify the sacrifice OF truth; 1t must be supe-
rlor in every relation Of life. Every avenue,
by which falsehood In its multipnclty o.
ed with untiring vigilance. A strict regard at 70 2
truth, kind and respectful manner 10 an VIII VIII
guarantee their regard, and our reward VIII
surely come Character based on anyGnlns
else than selfcontro duty ana trSsees Ssmbanee
Let young man enter upon the sea OF n laIe
with his barque thus manned and ne can rea-
s0nably hope to anchor safely on lne otnel
shore but let him be Eu,dea a a,a Dy ysa IIng sooih
ly and calmly for while, when stor'n rsn' nrsns
and the pillows beat against her with acrcu.
lean power, and the wind is slrain1ng every
rope and spar, she Is una9'e ne v" E,,len reef
and goes down. There was nothing WIFI
which to guide It. He starts out at first NOV =,
ing with apparent security; al Is orlsHt ,ns amu
u,
ure und success. A storm arises; tne DiiioWs
Of temptation dash against bis frail ana nn.
stable barque; the tempest Of evil associatlon
is driving him on to the shoals and quicksanIos
Of sin. Too late he secs his danger; he rallies
for awhile, but Is overcome. One thing was
wanting, that firmness and stability OF char-
acter with which TO resist temptation: ana 10
shu1i' evil company. How Is this all-lmpor.
tant .thlng to be obtained? What course IN
life must be pursued In order that one may
gain n good character !. It Is not 10 ne
Obtained by any means. The question i, How
Is It to be retained? for IL lost IT. IS win oiIn
Guilty restored. Young men,, do you ever
think of the danger, .your character 1s n
Did YOU ever think that If once lost It may be
forever gone? Oh! qua rd It with your lives !!
It Is far more valuable than oil the Wcalth OF
a Croesus; better by far than oil the honor'
splendOr, and glory Of magnificent king-
dom. How is It TO be guarded? Men Judge
YOU by the com pnny you keep, by your asso.
Citations. Then 1t is all-important that yon
should keep good company. Be honest ana
upright in oil dealings. Mover do or say any
thing that will reflect q taint upon your char,
acter. Young men are naturally corrupted
by evil associations, but it depends upon the
fundamental principles of their own hearts 10
iwhdt extent. They may be forsaken Dy
friends, they may be stripped ofall their earth
ly possessions aff1ictions may bear heayily
upon them, but If o good character remains,
''' ' T. J. PYLEs, JR.
Greenwood. 8. c., Oct. 20, 1895.