The state herald., 1890-01-24
rho Moral Life a. n arowth
Morallsts generally tell us that II

: Tho Moral 1Aifc as ~ Growth
Moralists generally tell us that llfcl
is constant struggle between the
good and evil principals within us,
and we are good or bad according tO4
the triumph Of one or the other In
our conduct. This seems to be a hard
grim view of human nature, and 1t Is.
To contemplate 1t seriously would
drive most 0fus to extremes Of think..s
ing, and to conviction of fatallsm.]
Can one not conceive a relation in'
which the Influences are conductive
to thought and actions Of n pure and
noble type, anb where evil suggestions
have no place? Imagine a child sur
rounded from infancy by people who
were kind, sincere, just, and c0urtes
Gus; whose language was always
clean, curteous, and refined, and who
indulgcd In no intlmatlons or valgari-
ty, and avoided any discussion Of the
vice and crime Of the w0rld--would
1t be likely that such child would
contract habits OF an immoral nature?
would he not, on the contrary, grow
up with certain principals of think
ing and acting dominant In his mem
tai nature? And when at maturity he
stepped into the world, would not
the teaching and example OF chlld-
hood and youth give him power OF
CONTROL the influences OF evil that
mi ht aSsail him? There are men and
women who have been favored by
surroundings much Of the kind dcs-
cy IS and who appear to live in
v midst OF society calm and sinccar
Y ir habits are unaffected by the
rder and impursty OF the world.
ey are =" a law unto Themselves so
IA o. epeak, am. it is easy for them to
do the right and speak the true.
Their manner, their expression, their
language show nothing show
nothing of contest within their souls,
and so far as choice OF the right as
against the wrong is concerned they
know nothing OF hesiiancy in the
matter, for decision comes with the
suggestion. To them there seems to
be but one side, and that the side o
duy and aud bright.
The fact of the educabllity OF faculty,
and of organism that lies pehlnd
faculty, resolves this matter Out of
the education and which
is but another term for education
comethc manners and habits uf life,
the expression Of faculty. But there
is the inherited bias OF disposition
one will say, " that is TO be consider
ed :" Yes, that must be taken into ~
count and IL will, to a greater or less
extent, color the product OF teaching
and association. Yet this color is not
necessarily an evil or vicious Impress
ion; the very chartcrlstic that in one
ease byi unwise management will
tend to make one willful. passionate
malicious, dishonest, in another case,
where the management is intelligent
and wise, will make him strong, cner.
gctic, ambitious, dignliiicd, upright,
noble. IL is the use Of faculties that
makes the men or woman.
Oh, the splendid men and grand
women who have been wrecked on the
shoals of false cducations! struggle.
Yes. how such have struggled against
the bias OF habit and tendency woven
into the very texture OF their intel
lectual and moral being by habits that
We're formed In youth! 1t is our duty
rs parents teachers, guardians 10
make life less field of contests TO
the young minds given TO our care,
than field for the free exercise OF
the powers God has given. The in
culcation Of good motives, Sof proper
ambitions, OF love OF truth, Of tenn
perancc, sympathy, and courtesy will
effect this, In that II will inspire self
respect, and distrust OF everything
that would lower ones consciousness
Of integrity.