Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-05-04

THE man who spends his life IN get
ting even" for real or supposed injuries
is torment to himself and generally
bore to his friends.
If the anatomy of some people were
constructed upon the proportion of what
they say to what they do, there wouldn't
be anything of them but mouth.
FREE will is not the liberty to do what
ever one likes, but the power of doing
whatever one sees ought to be done,
even in the very face of otherwise over
whelming impulse. Therein lies freedom
indeed.
INQUIRE not too much into your bosom
companions griefs, nor compel him to
tell all the tales of his life. Much and
all will be told those that do not ask;
and you shall have the secrets into
which you do not pry.
A HOUSE is no home unless it con-
tains food and fire for the mind as well
as for the body. For human beings are
not so constituted that they can live
without expansion. If they do not get
it in one way, they must in another, or
perish.
The only conclusive evidence of a
mans sincerity is that he gives himself
for principle. Words, money, all things
else are comparatively easy to give
lway; but, when a man makes a gift of
mis- daily life and practice, it is plain
that truth, whatever it may be, has taken
possession of it.
THOSE who have enough individuality
to think for themselves earnestly and
deeply find in that very exercise a hap
piness that is all their own. They may
share it with others, and it may be
heightened by sympathy, but it cannot
be taken away. 1t opens refuge from
many troubles and helps one to bear
many burdens.
NEVER for moment must we under
rste the Intentional benevolence that
freely and gladly bestows whatever it
possesses for the benefit of others, even
at sacrifice to self. The motive which
prompts this course of conduct is the
very kernel of social welfare, and, were
it always prevalent in the hearts of men,
most of the knotty social problems
which now so frequently agitate the
community would be instantly solved.
A STATUE lies hid in a block of mar
BILE, and the art of the statuary only
clears away the Superfluous matter and
removes the rubbish. The figure is in
the stone; the sculptor only finds it.
What sculpture is to block of marble,
education is to human soul. The phi
losopher. the saint, or the hero-the wise,
the good or the great man-very often
lies hid or concealed in a plebian, which
a proper education might have disinter-
red, and have brought to light.
THE best of men appear sometimes to
be a strange compound of contradictory
qualities; and were the accidental over
sights and folly of the wisest man, the
failin rs and imperfections of a religious
man, the hasty acts and passionate
words of a meek man-were they to rise
up in Judgment against them, and ar
ill-natured Judge to be suffered to mark
in this manner what has been done
amiss, what character so unexceptiOna
BILE as to be able to stand against him?
| MANY parents who are polite and pol
ished in their manners toward the world
at large are perfect Doors inside
the home circle. What wonder if the
children are the same? If man should
accidentally brush against another in
the streets, an apology would be sure to
follow; but whoever thinks of offering
an excuse to the little people whose
rights are constantly being violated by
careless elders? If a stranger offer the
slightest service, he is gratefully thank;
ed; but whoever remembers to thus re-
ward the little tireless feet that are trav-
cling all day upstairs and down Oh
countless errands for somebodody? II
would be policy for parents to treat their
children politely for the sake of obtain
ing more cheerful obedience, if for NO
other reason.
If there is one lesson we would i'm
press upon parents, it is this: Don't sti-
fie your children's desire at proper times
to ask questions. This involuntary self
educating process of the child's is OF
more Importance to its future than
many parents are aware of. 1t some,
times-nay, often-costs an effort to
break up train of thought in which
you may be interestedly occupied; but
it will pay. Like the sticks and straws
which the winged bird bears long dis
tances in its bill to construct its nest
these slender twigs of information may
be worked into a structure which vii
afford comfort and protection from
many fe-storm, safe retreat fol
quiet reflection, when the spirit OF evl
is prOwling about for careless stragglers
who are beating the air because there il
nothing else left for them to do. Dom
turn your child off with lazy, fibbing
abstracted, 81 don't know" Rouse your
self, and give him food for thought il
your answer, or that spirit of evil ma,
take possession of the apartment which
you are too indolent or penurious to fur
nish.