The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-20
POPULARITY.
Appsrcntiy Universal Desiro Among Me,
to Obtain If. T77-s-f -

Apparcntly Universal Desirc Among Men
to Obtain 1t.
Popularity, though founded on a vir-
tue, has it's superstructure built quite
as often of follics and sins MS of merits.
The desire for 1t is so universal that we
all seek to obtain it, whether we are
saints or sinners, or little of both.
Pride and humility, power and weak
ness, selfishness and self-sacrificc are
oil 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 La poor crop is the result, says
writer in Far and Near.
We arc speaking of the longing for
popularity, not of that deeper, more
spiritual craving for love. Love in its
true sense is the greatest earthly bless
ing VIC can desire or deserve, and is al
ways stimulus to tho best parts of our
natures. 1t is mt once our strength in
action and our rest, our most elevating
lesson and our most perfect reward
1t is the one guide from earth to Ucay-
en-, for
There is no human love--'tis ull divine,
Earths 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 at all an ideal state for
no ne 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 rclationshipewith
our chosen ones. Friendly to all, and
real friends with few, loving to all, nd
lover to few, this is what would be most
satisfactory to us.
The surcst road to popularity is COM
monty supposed to be tact but there is
another quality without which we be-
lieve no popularity to be lasting, and
that is sincerity. Tact, at it's bcsS, is
of course, only the good manners of
unsclfishncss, the polished courtesy
which that virtue is sometimes able to
assume in order to put us at 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 cnnnot cheat
us forever. We are attracted ut first
by tho outside, by good looks and n
swcetvoicc, and then the tactful, sym
pathetic manner appeals to us str ongly,
but in the end the true, sincere natirc
is the one to which we turn, and upon
which we learn to depend.
That is the secret of real popularity
tho reliablcness that comes from sim
cerity. We say of 4 woman: ..She is
very charming, but one never knows
where to find herr" but of another:
"She can always be trusted, and is nl-
ways the same to u.s." A stranger meet
ing very popular woman for tho first
time. asked afterward: "What is the
reason that SO many people seem to
care for her? What is the cause of her
popularity? You say she has o kind
heart, but TINT is not enough, and she is
neither beautiful nor clever, and has
but little grace of manner" After long
thought this answer was given: "She is
perfectly sincere to everyone, and all
who know her feel that they can trust
her absolutely"