The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-16
Selections from the Christian Neiglb9r.
Random Thoughts on a Large Subject.

V.I ~ -
Our personality determines the good
or i'll we do. 1t is this personality rl-
thcr than the absolute amount Of vir.
tue in rs which causes Us to attract or
repei others. The very same words
ami aciS done by two different persons
nu:y i!u.r entirely different meanings.
nne man advises another. Tie ad-
vice iiaving been sought it may be as
Su.ncd lie receiver regards the other
Us interested in his welfare. But how
is it given: Handed over, IerhapS, on
the end OF forty foot pole (figurative-
ly speakin"}-no interest manifested
for the pe;itioner-a forty-foot distance
is maintained. and the words, cold in
the beginning, are frozen before reach
ing their journeys end. Another
with a different personality, without
effiusion, speaks warmly, earnestly,
with animation. Pleading perhaps
neither one way nor the other, giving
only an opinion, yet even in that he
betrays his heartiness.
1t is said that certain public speak
ing is ineffective because the speakers
utter truth as if it were untruth-ra
ther as if belief in it were of no i'm
portance-while other speakers utter
fiction as if it were truth. All of us
possibly have listened to speakers who
left US in doubt if they even half
meant what they said. One could
never get under the surface of their
minds, as it were. Words were clear.
~ enunciated, pronunciation and eX-
preston were unexceptionable, yet the
whole seemed soulless-there was no
meaning to it all. Another with half
the gifts would speak the same
truths with so much heart as 10 move
the mighty.
We may say it should be matter ra-
ther than manner that moves us, but
As long as we are open to any infiu-
ences manner will take precedence of
matter to very large degree. 1t is for
this reason that so many psendo-C Chris
t'ans are rejected while some ungodly
are exalted. Inhappily Christianity
does not always make man Il gentle
man. ut will if he has enough of the
right kind, being humble enough to
4earn.) Now to those whose every
sense and whose mind appreciates the
difference between boor aud a gentle
man it matters little what positive vir-
tues one may possess if he offends ev-
cry taste by Il selfish disregard Of the
feelings of others. Imagination is
necessary to this. Until it is learned
to "Put Yourself in His Place. it is
impossible. One who is courteous,
thoughtful of the pleasure of others,
will rank in the esteem of his fellows
far higher than a much better man
whose outward seeming is repulsive
1t Is true that much of the "goodneSs"
OF some people comes merely of happy
success in life-they have had nothing
to sour or disappoint-lifc has been q
happy holiday-plenty of money,
plenty Of friends, travel, diversions of
many kinds-they have no temptation
to look, even on beggar, other than
smilingly. Another. perhaps better
man, certainly one les pleasing in
manner, will be detested, despised, by
reason Of his coldness, boorishness,
carelesSness Of the rights of others.
But through all shows that mysterious
something We call personality. Is it
not tile expression Of character?
Is all this very wrong:-that we
should prefer manner above worth.
We recall the word prefer-we are not
won by painted fa!sehood-its worth
.essness is soon shown BY its ready tar
nish-but rcul worth will make itself
felt, the real character will show itself.
Sinner or (nominal) Christian Will
soon show whether there is rP0t kind
hess within, whether seltishne>s or
love is master.
An OrganiNt's Dream.