The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-26
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HARITS GENERALLY.

We are pretty much creatures OF habit
| II is, with us, a second nature; IL hchs
us into shape. and makes US what we are
Our expressions OF countenance. our gal's'
our contour, onr tread, the swing OF OUT
limbs. and our intonations. In very III
| tie while identify US. And all these are
the outward manifestations OF the inner
MANTLE habits OF our hearts and minds
| Moreover. as soon as all these become toll
erably well set and fixed. 1T is hardly worth
while 10 try and get out OF them. we
may. almost as we'll. endeavor to Let out
| OF our skins or swap off our skeletons.
We may make desperate efforts 10 be
original independent something else than
we are, and few movements may seen
TO be a little fresh and new-neH depar-
tures-but our mark and character In a
moment betrays itself. and while few
particulars may seem little specih, the
general aspect and air shows our unmis-
taxable selves, and Il does not take an
expert 10 prove the case. The cominonest
acquaintance will be ready 10 cry
out, Fool whom?" And here is the
first responsibility and business II
life, 10 form the ways and move
ments and outlines CT our hearts. and
minds and bodies. They are primarily
natures work; the material is from her
hand But how far may we improve,
modify and almost supersede and substl-
tute? How far may we turn the worst
disadvantages into graces. and make our
defects the very bases OF wealth and
beauty? This Is the high art Of the land
scape gardener. and Of the artist every
where in working out natures problems.
When in the person OF the Saviour the
EVIL One had emphasized all the special
weaknesses Of human nature, and Offered
his plans for supplying and curing them.
and when all his satanic suggestions had
been resisted. TO the glory Of God, the mar
rative says: Angels came and minis
tered unto Him" And SO our direst re-
cessities and deformities and trials wisely
and hopefully regarded and treated, turn
TO rich blessings-the glories Of our lives.
The art Of life is TO remove the ugly COW
ering from our divine endowments. free
them and give 10 them light and life.
The fixing OF habit by training and ols-
cipline and associations is a pretty study
and a divine art.
An enlightened conscience, a rectihed
judgment ready apprehension OF the
good, the true and the beautiful, all come
as results Of habit. An enlightened con-
science is loyal conscience, one that is
in the habit Of doing what it knows to be
right. Consciences are rather demorLl-
tied than unenlightened-Iike regulators
that work on wavering and uncertain
axes that turn upon unsteady poles.
Fixed and established principles are rot
established for being merely well known
and familiar but 1t Is the habit OF being
ruled and regulated and absolutely con-
trolied by them that makes the sound
and reliable judgment. When a conscience
is demoralized by working one way and
another. and judgment is merely sub
servient to interest or lust. waiting upon
them, they have been taught very bad
habits, or rather 10 habits at ALL and
when natural taste has been substi-
tuted by an artificial one. and merely fol-
lows the crowd, It is like garden all
run over by crowd. II has lost It's nat
ural ways and habits and preferences.
and is no taste at all. That sort among
cattle is called rcalawag-grazing on the
common.
All the live. active ad passive graces
of the soul are strengthened, almost
made. by the force Of habit. Good man
ners are only good habits Of social inter
course. We may cultivate a habit Of
courage. The ways OF a mans heart
may be habitually fearless and daring
We may cultivate a habit of weakness
and distrust. TIL we are nothing at all
We may cultivate habits OF cheerfulness
until the nerves of our countenance
brighten, all around are lustrous. and
the muscles and motions OF our bodies
animate. And we may drop into habit
Of complaining till we sigh habitually,
and almost laugh in doleful notes, and
our smiles are grim, and our presence
casts q shadow. And so every good and
bad quality may be fixed by the force of
habit.
But. chiefest Of all. we may cultivate
habits OF skepticisrl and cavil and dis
trust, doubling the power and wisdom
and mercy Of the Almighty. All-wise and
Al-merciful. till trials make absolute
desperation, like deceitful jades we fall
in the trial.
Or. on the contrary. we may cultivate !
habits OF trust. OF confidence. OF worship. |
and make our religion not doctrlnal and |
ceremonial, but habitual Then, in the |
hour OF trial. our powers and faculties |
and affections rally to their standards. |
like Caesars soldiers, and habitually do |
their duty, facing the enemy and tri- |
umphing.
Slow or fast. they are loyal. faithful |
and true: have no books OF devotion. no |
authorities TO consult. but habitually |
honor God.
1T is very certain that wise bearing
and ignorant carriage are caught as men
take diseases one Of another" And a
man who values himself and his WAYS
has got to take heed Of his company.
look well to his wade mecums. his books
and friends, and grazing grounds. He
may be kept in tune, or put out of tune.
H..