The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-03-07
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
WHAT MEN MOST NEED.

Messrs Editors There is probably no human
faculty that in need of faithful and patient
cultivation than the judgment, for there is none
that has more complications to deal with or more
difficulties to overcome. Nevertheless there is
perhaps none which receives less systematic dis
cipline or upon which people generally are less
willing to expend labor and thought They train
their children's memory, exercise their powers of
expression, schooRthem in habits Of industry, pa
thence and sometimes self CONTROL but seldom dis
cipline their judgment or teach them how to draw
correct and proper conclusions. To this lack
hasty opinions and i'll advised judgments and ac-
tions are mostly indebted.
There is universal tendency to believe as re-
ally true that which is desired to be true, and to
resist that tendency is perhaps the first and most
essential step in mental discipline. They seldom
investigate subject, but claim to deal impartial
yet they welcome the evidence in favor of their
desire and listen to objections with reluctance
They profess to be upon their guard, but will ac-
cept theories upon insufficient evidence, or even
without evidence, thus exposing their weakness
and the want of mental culture. Now with such
bias they are in danger of deciding to suit their
wishes, although they may imagine they have
given the subject the most impartial consideration.
A charge is made a report is circulated against
one they wish to injure. How Indignantly they
resent proofs to the contrary. But let similar
charges be preferred against their friend and how
unwillingIy they listen, and the other hand
how easily they can be brought to believe their
innocence.
Now all these impulses are natural, hence the
necessity for making due allowance in forming
Judgment and drawing conclusions. All prefer
ences impose an obligation to give more weight
to the opposite side. AS men know they will be
influenced by their wishes they should insist upon
dwelling longer and more carefully on the argu-
ment that thwarts them. They should practice q
wholesome self abnegation as far as possible, re-
sistng the force that agrees with their wishes and
welcoming that which opposes them, thus doing
all in their power to restore the balance which an
intense desire has destroyed. They are in much
better condition to ascertain the truth if they real
ly desire it.
One effect of resisting inclination in the exercise
of judgment will be to prevent hasty DECISIONS
We agree that there are emergencies when hasty
judgment and speedy action seem best, but even
then it is likely the larger number of conclusions
would be improved by delay. To judge wisely
and well takes both labor and time. Suspension
of judgment at certain times and for certain
periods is the best mental state man can be in
When we remember how many complex condi-
tions are involved and how difficult it is to under
stand and appreciate those conditions and to ac-
cord to each its proportionate value, we may well
pause and reflect before committing ourselves to
judgment which may prove to be unjust and wrong.
When men attain to true conception of the
knowledge, thought and wisdom that is required
to form wise and correct opinions, they will be in
less haste to proclaim their ignorance by forming
rash judgments And when they realize the i'm
portance of bringing energy, patience and self
abnegation to the task they will become better
fitted to bear the responsibility of such decisions
as will not infringe the rights of their fellows.
QUAKER HILL.