Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-09-24
THE POWER OF PERSONAL CHARACTER.


THE POWER OF PERSONAL CHARACTER.
There is a certain kind of force in simple
muscle common to man and brute, in many
of the brutes much greater than in man.
There is another kind of force consisting in
simple ideas, peculiar to man, and fitting
him to have influence in the realms OF
thought. There is still another and diff
ferent power inherent in moral character,
also distinguishing man from the brute, and
qualifying him to be blessing and honor
to the race. Combine all these forces in the
same man; give him a strong and vigorous
body, clear and comprehensive head, and
a pure character, and that man ascends to
the zenith of his earthly significance. He
is then a prince among men, one OF the
most important and powerful factors of this
lower world.
Character in the clinical and spiritual
use of this term, consists in what man IS
in the abiding principles and affections
Of his heart, considered in the relation to
the law of absolute rectitude. What goes
out from him is but the expression and sign
of what exists in him. Character, too, is
not an accidental and transient phenome-
non, that shines for moment and then dis
appears forever. We do not put it on and
take it off as one does the garments he
wears 1t is something permanent and fix
ed, seldom changing in kind, though always
advancing in degree What man is to-
day in his clinical condition, that, by
strong probability, he will be tomorrow.
BY deep and universal law of our ma
ture, character spontaneously propagates
itself from mind to mind, amounting. in
fact, to species of social contagion. Thus
hDo. Nfh orS1nf
qualities. Thus one personality, by simple
contact, transfuses itself into another, and
there reproduces its own likeness. Thus
evil communications corrupt good manners,
and thus men contaminate improve or
curse each other. National character is the
outgroWth and expression of this law.
Family character is but the inheritance of
common qualities upon the same principle.
Children feel the power of parental charac-
ter long before they can understand the
meaning of words. It comes to them in
tones and looks, which are instinctively in
terpreted. The process, though gradual and
silent, is nevertheless very effective. God
uses character in saving men; the Devil
uses it in running them.
It is, moreover, probable truth in re-
spect to every man that the same influence
which he seriously designs and lays him
self out to exert. His unconscious int1u-
ence-that in respect to which he has no
specific intention or forecaste, and which
naturally flows from him in a steady stream
as the direct product of an clinical state-ls
probably by far the largest that he Wields
in this world. 1t is constant power, ever
throwing off its little sparks, and hence al
ways making the man felt power wherev-
er he goes. It follows him ''as the shadow
follows the SUM-" 1t is eXhaled from him.
or
leave it behind him. 1t is identified with
his own presence. Where he speaks oris ST.
lent it is with him. The instant it touches
others it makes an impression. PrOlongthe
touch or repeat it often and the impression
of character becomes proportionately deep
and decisive.
The grand condition as to the type of this
force is always supplied by the type OF the
character. The one naturally corresponds
with the other. That which is in the man,
as it comes out, will be his outer power in
social action. The impulses, tones, tempers,
principles and affections, habitual to him
and dominant within him, are the standard
sources of his impression upon others. They
constitute the working power OF his char
acter in the family, in the Church, in the
State, and in every relation Of life. If the
spirit of Christ dwell in him richly, then
Christ. If he has great weight, purity,
loveliness and moral elevation OF personal
character, then he will affect the world in
a corresponding manner. Men, both good
and bad, are quite sure to be fairly repre-
sented by their influence. AS physical
nature, no stream ever rises above its toun-
tain, so, in morals, no mans influence can
ever ascend above or be essentially diverse
from his own clinical state. The first conal-
tion of doing good is to be good. Parents
who are themselves goddess, sometimes de-
sire piety for their children as protection
against the dangers of this evil world yet
these parents are simply mocking their
own ideas Their own influence is practi-
cally adverse to the very thing they desire.
How important, then, is the question Of
personal character. 1t forms one of the
gravest problems of existence. 1t involves
a double responsibility First, that which
attaches to personal qualities as such; Sec
ondly, that which attaches to these qualities
considered in their social effect. 1t is in
trinsically and socially the greatest ques-
tion of life. Compared with it the parade,
drapery, and geWgaws which fascnate SO
many silly minds, are simply contemplate.
Character formed and fashioned into the
mold of virtue is a majestic and heavenly
presence. It walks the earth arrayed in
robes of light 1t is a celestial power link
ing Itself to mortal fellowship. Character,
corrupt and corrupting, is simply the spirit
of He'll incarnated in the bOsoms OF men.
Until the question of character is settled,
and that, too, upon right principles, life is
not really begun in any valuable sense. 1t
is the greatest and vital antecedent OF all
other questions in respect to the practical
issues of our earthly sojourn. Splendid tai
ents have their undoubted value; high
degree Of intellectual culture is much to be
desired yet that culture of our moral ma
ture which makes one pure and good in the
sight of God is worth more than all the ac-
complishments of mere intellect. This we
must most need. This we must have
whatever else we lose or gain.
What. then, is the exact status OF ones
personal character? How much of the
bower of virtue does it WELD? What is the
effect of his existence upon others? When
he is dead and gone, how much will the
world be indebted to his life? How are
those affected by contact with him who
most feel the moral power of his character?
These are very pertinent questions for every
man to ask and answer. 1t will do him no
harm to consider them.
PERSONALITY IN HANDWRITING.-Per
sons writing naturally do so without thought
regarding the peculiar construction of their
writing. The hand operates the pen as if it
were automatically through the sheer force
of habit, by which all the innumerable per-
sonalities are unconsciously impaired to
writing. Learners and fOrgers think re-
specting their writing, and hence, the more