Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-04-16
ABOUT SELF-GOVERNMENT.
Progress Must First BE Made in the
Soul, Then in the Outer World.

Progress Must First BE Made in tho
Soul, Then in the Outer World.
1t is the function of analysis as APP
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 coarscr 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. The infinitely little" is
as incomprehensible as 1.-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
its 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
sublime height of mental and moral
achievement, which distinguishes
him from all his kindred and
contemporaries. Or he may trans
form himself into 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
fication 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 we'll
| 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 relat 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 phi ysic-
al decay speedily follow. 1t is in the APP
petites of TIE 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 timo when the
youth perceives that the results of ebul-
itions 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 a large degree of sclf-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 Il 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
uetefmlneS W possess himself Oh Ine
accomplishment, which he does by vol
untary attention and deliberate imita-
ton. Taught by his failures he elimi-
mates their causes, and stimulated by his
success he redoubles his energy and
equals his master; then new principle
called emulation comes into play, anc
he determines to surpass him. 1t is
thus that progress is made, first in the
soul of tho 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 TO-
good and helpfulness.-J NJ. Buckley
LII. D., in Chautauquan.