River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-04-10
ABOUT SeLF-GOvERNMENT.
Progress Mast First lie Made In the
Soul, Then In the Outer World.

Progress Mast First lie Made In the
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 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 lifo IS
introduced, and mysteries still ba lfie the
acutest penetration. Animal life is full |
of mystory. 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 a
sublime height of mental and moral
achievements 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 well
protected by nature as some have rep
resented. In man the natural appetites
are stimulated by ideas. The elaborate
menu OF a royal entertainment produces
an artificial hunger; and the history,
names, colors and social relations of
wines an artificial and insaticb bic thirst.
Nature rebels. ard 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 APP
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 a 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 a large degree of self-lnold-
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 trade or profession, is attained
only by intentional conformity to rule
or model. In society man naturally
initiates his fellows; but independents
of these general customs which give
ciety each person secs 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 by his
success he redou5les his energy and
equals his master; then new principle
called emulation comes into play, and
he determines to surpass him. Ii 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.-J. NJ. Buckley,
LII. D., in Chautauquan.