Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-06-06
CHOICE EXCERPTS.

THERE is no class of men so difficult
to be managed in State as those whose
intentions are honest but whose con-
sciences are bewitched.
THE highest point outward things can
bring unto us is the cOntentment of
mind; with which no estate can be poor,
without which all estates will be miser
able.
THE basest and meanest of all human
beings are generally the most forward to
despise others. So that the most con-
temptible are generally the most con-
temptuous.
COMBINATIONS of wickedness would
overwhelm the world by the advantage
which licentious principles afford, did
not those who have long practiced per-
| fidy grow faithless to each other.
THE cynic puts all human actions in
to two classes openly bad and secretly
bad. All virtue, generosity and disin-
terestedness are merely the appearance
If we will take the good we find, ask
ing no questions, we shall have heaping
measures. The great gifts are not got
by analysis. Everything good is on the
highway, The middle region of our be-
ing is the temperate zone.
WHEN thing is beyond repair, waste
no useless regrets over it, and no idle
fretting. Strive for that serenity of
spirit that will enable you to make the
best of all things. That means content
ment in its best sense.
WE are reformers in spring and sum-
mer; in autumn and winter we stand by
the old: refOrmers in the morning. con-
servers at night. Reform is affirmative,
conservatism negative. Conservatism
goes for comfort; reform for truth.
MANHOOD is not reached by a sud |
den leap. Its growth is not rapid like
Jonah's gOurd, but solid and steady, !
like that of the cedar or the oak. 1t |
must be rocked by storms, hardened by |
winter blasts, and expanded by summer
warmth.
IT is not with rush and spring
that we are to reach Christ's character,
and attain to perfect saintship; but step
by step, foot by foot, hand over hand, we
are slowly, and often painfully, to
mount the ladder that rests on earth,
and rises to heaven.
FEAR, if it be not immoderate, puts
guard about US that does watch and de-
fend us; but credulity keeps us naked,
and lays us open to all the sly assaults !
of il-intending men. 1t was virtue
when man was in his innocence; but,
since his fall, it abuses those who own it.
OUR life and conduct is to be deter
mined not by considerations of self-in-
terest. The question which we should,
from time to time, ask ourselves, is not,
rs this pleasant and the other distaste-
ful?" but, Lord, what wilt thou have
me to do?" This is the foundation stone
upon which the edifce of our self-denial
is to be erected.
NEVER regard difficulty as an enemy
to escape from or to dread. 1t is rather
a true friend, strengthening our powers,
raising our ideals, or evolving a beauty
in humanity and in life which, without
it, could never exist. straight is the
line of duty, curved is the line of beau
ty. Follow the one, and thou shalt see
the other ever following thee"
DIOGENEs laughed at the grammar
ans, who cudgelled their brains to in
quire into the miseries of Ulysses, and
were ignorant of their own; at musicians,
who were so exact in tuning their instru-
ments, and never tuned their manners;
and at orators, who studied to declare
what was justice, but never took care to
do if IF the mind he NOT hattar die |