The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-21
POPULARITY.
Apparently Universal DcsIro Among Mcr
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Apparently Universal Dcsro Among Men
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Popularity, though founded on n vir-
tue, has its superstructurc built quite
as often of follies and sins as of merits.
The desire for it is SO universal that we
all seek to obtain it, whether we are
| saints or sinners, or n little of both.
Pride and humility, power and weak
ness, sclflshncss and sclf-sacrificc arc
all rewarded by popularity in forms as
different as the method by which it has
been gained. The wish to obtain the
appreciation and affection of others is
perfectly natural and right, but, like
many another innocent and beautiful
flower, when allowed to run to seed and
spread itself all over the field of our
character, its roots take up the place
intended for more valuable. growths,
and Il poor crop is the result, says
writer in Far and Near.
We are speaking of the longing for
popularity, not of that deeper, more
spiritual craving for love. Love in it's
true sense is the creates. earthly bless
ing we can desire or deserve, and is al
ways stimulus to the best parts of our
natures. 1t is ut once our strength in
action and our rest, our most clcvating
lesson and our most perfect reward
1t is the one guide from earth to Hcav-
en-, for
Thore is no human lovc-'tis ull divine,
Earth's dearest leads us gently to His shrine
But popularity and love are not
synonymous, although, perhaps in some
future ideal condition of human affairs
they may be. On the whole, though, it
would not be ut all an ideal state for
none of us care to be friends, in the
fullest sense, with everyone whom one
meets, while one does long to be popu-
lar, that is to be pleasing, sympathetic
and agreeable to everybody, without
resigning that closer relationship with
our chosen ones. Friendly to all, and
real friends with few, loving to all, and
lover to few, this is what would be most
satisfactory to us.
The surest road to popularity is COM
monty supposed to be tact, but there is
another quality without which we bc-
lievc no popularity to be lasting, and
THAT IS sincerity. Tact, at its best, is
of course, only the good manners of
unselfishness. the polished courtesy
which that virtue is sometimes able to
assume in order to put us ut our case in
her rather unfamiliar presence. Chill
dren know their friends we say, and
dogs readily find their way to the feet
of those who arc sure to welcome them.
In some degree we all have the same
instinct, and good acting cannot cheat
lis forever. We are attracted at first
by the outside. by good looks and
sweet voice, and then the tactful, SYM
pathetic manner appeals to us str ongly,
but in the end the true, sincere nature
is the one to which we turn, and upon
which we learn to depend.
That is the secret of real popularity
the reliablencss that comes from sin
cerity. We say of n woman: 'She is
very charming, but one never knows
where to find her." but of another:
'Shc can always be trusted, and is al
ways the same to u.s." A stranger meet
ing very popular woman for the first
time, asked afterwards: what is the
reason that so many people seem to
care for her? What is the cause OF her
popularity? You say she has kind
heart, but that is not enough and she is
neither beautiful nor clever, and has
but little grace of manner" After long
thought this answer was given: "Shc is
perfectly sincere to everyone, and all
who know her feel that they can trust
her absolutely"