The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-27

Oad times with an unfalllng support"
We must all, in the end, come to the
same conclusion, that no man can
build up our character for US; that each
must do for himself. One of the first
steps in that direction is the recogni-
ton of individual responsibility
deep sense Of what rests upon us-a
profound realization Of the truth OF
Whittier's words,
"The stern behests Of duty,
The doom books open thrown.
The heaven ye seek, the hell We fear,
Are with yourselves alone"
1t is this that makes life so solemn,
and individual action so full of mean
ing.
The very soul of character is energy
Of will. Where it is, there is life; where
it is not, there is faintness, helplessness,
dependency, stagnation. Says an old
proverb, ''the strong man and the
waterfall channel their own path"
The energetic man of noble spirit not
only wins way for himself, but also
carries others along with him; he be-
comes of necessity leader. At criti-
cal moment every act of his is an in
spiration and exerts power of attrac-
ton which human nature cannot re-
sist. It is the torch Of enthusiasm that
sets the whole world afire. Without it
no great deed has ever been accom-
plished; no great crisis controlled. It
is live coal snatched from a burning
soul, giving light and life to hearts that
are cold and dead, and to men that
sleep and dream. 1t supplants the or
dinary motives and ways of human ac-
ton, and forces them into subjection.
1t is not misdirected physical power,
or judgment untempered by zeal, or
animal spirits unchecked by sound
reason-it is not impulse, sudden ca
price, or rank madness. It is the open. =.
ing of the food-gates of the soul, the
breaking down Of human barriers, the
spirit within us asserting itself. This
Divine energy of the human will is the
attempt to carry out into action high
ideals. 1t is the outward expression of
an exalted purpose within. Character
can not be strengthened by holding or
expressing lofty opinions and exalted
views. These are valuable only in so
far as they produce action. To en-
courage lofty sentiments that we'll up
into the heart and call for action, aud
then to allow them to spend their own
force and to Wither and die unripened
into action, makes men weak, helpless
and unstable. Words without deeds,
principles without action, theories
without practice. thinking without
doing, desiring without endeavoring,
these are colorless, lifelesss pictures,
vain dreams, fond fancies, and tend to
dry up the very fountain and source of
strength of character.
The man who would build up a strong,
manly character must first OF all be i'm
bued with noble spirit. He must
have an exalted purpose in view-high
ideals to attain. He must have deep
sense Of the vast possibilities of human
life and of the solemn responsibilities
and duties that rest upon him. He
must have strong determination and
invlncible moral courage. He must
have eself-raliance-not a contempt for
others and an exalted opinion of self
that is fatal. But be must humbly rely
| upon his own sincere convictions, and
gently, yet firmly pursue MS own
course of action. No man can accom-
plish much in this world unless he has
strong and positive convictions. He
must be tender and courteous, and yet
strong and resolute. He must be
sincere in all things. That was a
wise saying and true Of St. Hilary:
sThere is no need of a distance between
the heart and the mouth" He must
be truthful in all things at all times.
His word should be his bond even in
the merest trifle. To give occasion for
| doubt even once will require years of
reparation and perhaps can never be
fully restored. He must be honest
severely honest. A breath of suspicion
is as deadly as the adder's sting. He
must be pure; in mind, in speech and
in conduct. He must be prompt in
meeting his engagements, and diligent
in all his undertakings. He must be
thorough in all be does, and faithful to
every trust.
These are the principal elements of
| character that must be nourished and
developed III daily life. He who
cherishes them, and is bright, earnest.
open, manly, kind, full of cheerful
hopes, reverence for truth, love of good
ness, is model for young ambition; a
fountain of good thoughts, silent, in
sinuating, living stream nourishing the
| roots and opening the buds of strong,
true, noble and magnificent manhood.
There has never been a time in the
history of this country when there was
greater need than at present of men of
sound and spotless character. The cry
ing demand of to-day is for strong, res
olute men Of energetic wills and un-
flinchiDg moral courage; men of manly
hearts, imbued with high purposes,
governed by sound principles, and
thoroughly alive to the great and
solemn responsibilities of the present
age. Not that men are worse now than
! ever before. Such a pessimistic view is
unjust, warranted and untrue. What
is meant is this: Modern progress and
| achievements have been so wonderful
and rapid, the future is filled with pos
sibilitieS 50 beWildering to contemplate,
| that the share allotted to the present t
generations, in working out the grand
destiny awaiting our nation, far ex-
ceeds in value and Importance any
| paw Oy OQl 1OlClalHClS, 1io Ia
| fraught with difficulties and dangers
never before experienced. The grand
Inheritance of past ages is increased a
thousand fold by the rich gifts and
treasures of modern achievements.
And ali these are placed into the hands
of the living in sacred trust. Woe be
to the recreant and despoiler!
Life has been broadened and deep
ened in meaning. Human standards
have been raised. Morality is more
respected. The Christian religion is no
longer regarded as a professional cloak,
but as the true inward life. Scholarship
is ripening. Talent of every kind is
encouraged and more generally es-
teemed. The world is advancing and
improving in every way. But there is
danger lurking in all this wonderful
and perplexing progress. The athlete
| may be trained too much, he can be
overtrained. Calculation can be too
close. The web can be spun too fine.
And so progress can become too pro-
gressiye; civilization too refined. Per
Inanent national advancement is built
upon the deep and sure foundation of
true, manly character; not upon genius,