The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-09
ABOUT sELF-eovERNMENT.

ABOUT SELF-GOvERNMENT.
Progress Must First Be Made Ia the
Soul, Then in the Outer World.
1t is the function of analysis as ap-
piled to forms Of matter to ascertain the
elements of which they are composed,
and the proportions to which they are
combined; and in all the coarser organ
isms this can be done with absolute or
approximate accuracy. But that which
is simple becomes complex and difficult
when the principle of vegetable life is
introduced, and mysteries still battle the
acutest penetration. Animal life is full
of mystery. 1.-THE infinitely little" is
as incomprehensible as "the infinitely
great" Man is the highest form of ami
NAL life. and possesses an intellectual
power of assimilation and rejection
which acts not only automatically, as in
the physical organism. but by the prin-
ciple of voluntary selection, which has
it's center in that mystery of mysteries,
personality. So potential is this
prerogative Of man, that against host
Of adverse circumstances, and much per-
sonal opposition, he may rise to a
sublime height Of mental and moral
achievement which distinguishes
him from all his kindred and
contemporaries. Or he may trans
form himself into q monster OF
iniquity, and scourge of his race, defy
ing the influences of heredity, and re-
sisting successfully persuasion and
force. The appetites are. unreasoning;
more so in man than in the lower ami
mails, which seem to be directed by in
stinct in the choice and quantity of
their food, and by seasons in the graft
6cation of their passions. Yet, as they
live without intellectual or moral re-
straint except as they are brought into
contact with man and made subservient
to him. they are by no means as well
protected by nature as some have rep
resented. In man the natural appetites
are stimulated by ideas. The elaborate
menu of royal entertainment produces
an artificial hunger; and the history,
names, colors and social relations of
wines an artificial and Unsuitable thirst
Nature rebels, and the youth is taught
by the consequences the folly of eating
for gluttony and not for health. He re-
strains himself by an effort of the will,
adopts plan; and though not entirely
conforming to it, is held in check by it.
If he does not do this, mental and physic-
al decay speedily follow. 1t is in the ap-
petites of the body that the demand for
self-restraint first makes itself felt;
and with the first resolution to eat less,
or to reject what If found to be unwhole-
some, self-molding begins. The
passions Of childhood are transient
though violent. The cries and blows
are comparatively harmless, and often
receive undue indulgence, but in such
instances there comes time when the
youth perceives that the results Of ebul-
litions of passion are more dangerous to
him than to others, and he resolves that
he will maintain his self control The
attitude and motions of the body, and
the use of the human voice, are the
products in large degree of self-mold-
ing. Some attitudes, movements, words,
tones, would be learned by spontaneous
imitition; but the power to speak, sing,
drill, perform the countless acts which
make a trade or profession, is attained
only by Intentional conformity to rule
or model In society man naturally
initiates his fellows; but Independent
of these general customs which give
unanimity to the aspect of So
ciety each person sees some
thing which falls in with his tastes and
Is adapted to promote his interests. He
determines to possess himself of the
accomplishment, which he does by vol
untary attention and deliberate imita-
ton. Taught by his failures he elimi-
mates their causes, and stimulated bv his
success he redoubles his energy and
equals his master; then a new principle
called emulation comes into play, and
he determines to surpass him. 1t is
thus that progress is made, first in the
soul of the man, and then in the outer
world. Restraint and imitation are the
first and the second steps in this up.
ward, or in some instances downward,
progress. For there are those who imi-
tate vices, not virtues; defects, not ex.
celencies; who seek to make themselves
strong for evil and harm, and not for
good and helpfulness.-
An Expression Driven Deep Down Into
the Human Heart bv Faith.
1t is asked repeatedly by persons who
have weakness for looking facts right
in the face: what is the special charm
or mystery about this picture of the
'Angelus"" 1t is not enough to say
that the picture of two lovers in a corn
field at sunset has become the vogue, or
fashion. 1t is not enough to recall the
subtle influence of church bells which
summon wearied souls to evening prayer.
There is reason more profound than
this purely technical association with
religious science for the peculiar inhu-
snce exerted by a single picture.
The figures of the two French peas
ants, bowed in the attitude of devotion,
are expressions of solemn protest
against the materialism of the age Just
as love of money, social position, politi-
,al power and lavish display have pro-
luced condition of modern society
which bids fair to rival the full abandon
Of the most debaucLed period of the
Roman Empire, there suddenly falls up
On the ear of the world tone from
some higher sphere. The picture of the
French artist is an expression to the eye
II the still small voice which the ancient
prophet heard calling from the mount
ain top. 1t is an indication that
there are forces at work in this
world which our eyes can not see, our
ears can not hear, our hands can not
touch-but they are there. They are
1earer than all that external nature
teaches, because they appeal to our in
ner life and conscience They ara nroof |