The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-11
SELF-IMPROVEMENT.
Individuality the Lever Which Gives Char
acter to an Age.

him from the masses. 1t is the genius
of the man; the visible expression of
his innermost self. Nature never casts
two menin the same mold. The Omnip-
otent Mind, in His benefcent scheme
of creation, designed that no two per-
sons should be created exactly alike.
When we study the genius of a people
we discover that each family group is
separate and distinct. Also, by a finer
differentiation, we learn that in some
inherent mental quality, or in the
broader lines of physical organization,
each member is unique. Whatever
their relation to the world, then, we
know that men and women differ in
feature and form, in taste and feeling.
in habit and experience, in physical
power and intellectual endowment, in
moral bias and mental bent, in temper
ment, in spirituality and environment.
Human nature would have less interest
for us were there less diversity in its
individual expression, and were the
identity of Il people merged into one
universal type. In every age, however,
ideas prevail which revolutionize the
world in its mode of living In the
procession of events radical changes
occur in the eXternals of life. There
is no stability in human affairs. The
customs of to-day are the caricature of
tomorrow. The intellectual ideal of
an epoch is superseded by feebler
or more vigorous type. As history re-
veals, in some momentous crisis in
human affairs the morals of a nation
are fostered by the high example of its
rulers and leaders; in the succeeding
generation they are debauched by a
lax of discipline, or the evils of q dis
solute court. Society is constantly
shifting its ground and seeking new
outlets for its energies. Custom and
prejudice are all-powerful, changing
the character of a people and sapping
its inner life. The tendency of the
world is to conform mankind to one
type. 1t prescribes q fixed diet, hours
in which to dress and dine, and gar
ments of one texture and cut. The
length of the days marks the limit of
waste. But whoever stand in awe of
convention and yield to these influences
are consumed by ennui. They huddle
like sheep. They exchange their birth
right for mess of pOttage, and forfeit
their best possessions, as the inhabi-
tants of Spanish city deliver their
door-keys to the night Waterman and
lock themselves out of their own
domains. In pursuing these retiec-
tons, let us remember that as there is
but one standard Of duty, so there is
but one way of living wisely and well.
The soul creates its own conditions. 1t
rises superior to its environment 1t
levels the walls of conventionalism as
Joshua with blast of the rams horns
overthrow the walls of Jericho. Society
reflects the attitudes and raiment of a
posturing, tickle-hearted, pleasure
seeking world. "a mind might pom
der its thoughts for ages" says a wise
philosopher, land not gain as much
self-knowledge as the passion Of love
shall teach it in day" Carlyle said
that the meaning of life is to unfold
ones self. Within us are unexpected
resources. Why spend our workdays
over the stew-pan and our holidays in
unpacking our trunks and airing old
clothes? Because our neighbors across
the way keep their blinds closed, should
we exclude Gods sunshine for fear of
fading the parlor carpet? Each faculty
and feeling has its use. A man has
not learned what it is to live if he sees
no horizon beyond the fence that in
closes his farm. Would we be in
structed? Would we learn how to
live? Three books are ever at hand,
the Bible, nature and soul. AS the
story goes, soldiers were held in such
contempt during the civil wars in En-
gland that to snub them conferred a
mark of distinction upon the citizens
of coventry, while woman was 0s-
tracised who ventured to ask one the
time of day. Social prescription is
daily visited upon erring mortals for a
less heinous offense. The mandates of
fashion are received by its votaries
with silent submission, as the super
stitious accept the DEGREES of fate. The
surest way to improve society is a we'll
directed effort in the line of self-im-
provement. individuality gives char
acter to an age. The laws of society
are never so sacred us the laws of one 5
being "However mean your life is,
meet and live it; do not shun it and
call it bad names" Glove your life,
poor as it is" These are words of
wisdom. If the stock concern in which
you have invested your savings fails to
pay its dividends, make good its loss
out of the overlooking bounty of ma
ture and the generosity of the heart.
What men say and think need not con-
Germ one who acts from single motives
and is on the right track. Let him
give up every thing but honor, and
next to that his individuality, though
the finger of ridicule is more dreaded
than u thunderbolt. Stick to your path,
if it is only cowpath. Be yourself.
Imitation is a puerile and cheap talent,