The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-15
LIFE WHAT WE MAKE 1T.

If there is SO wide divergence in the
aspect which inanimate things have for
ue, the difference is still greater in the
way we regard the men and women by
whom we are surrounded. Character is
complex thing. difficult to detect, i'm
possible to fathom. yet we preeumptu-
ously venture to gauge and pronounce
upon it with.the smallest modicum of
knowledge. 1t is curious to notice how
differently the same person will impress
various individuals. His friend will per-
haps see no fault in him, his enemy no
virtue. One will put faith in him, an
other will suspect his every action; one
will deem him cold-hearted, another will
think him affectionate and kind. 1t
must be that their own personalities are
reflected in him and that, to certain
extent, he does thus become for time,
while under their influence, what they
suppose him to be always. 1t is certain.
ly true that the good and gentle find
far more goodness and gentleness in the
world than those who are deficient in
such qualities. It is the selfish man
who is the keenest to detect selfshness
in others; it is the overbearing who
complain most Of the arrogance and
pride with which they are met, and the
unjust who murmur at the injustice
they receive. On the other hand, TIE
loving and sympathetic discover love
and sympathy everywhere; the noble
and true bring to light nobility and truth
which might otherwise be hidden. Thus.
to large extent, we develop the charac-
ter of those we meet-by subtle mag
netism we draw like to like and evolve
out of other personalities the character.
istics of our own.
Even the outward circumstances Of
life are largely what we ourselves make
them. We are accustomed to consider
prosperity blessing, and adversely a
curse, but quite frequently they change
places. 1t is the spirit in which they are
received that determines their result
The rich and self-indulgent man, sur.
rounded by luxury and opportunity, may
be far less happy than his poorer neigh
Dor. who brings industry, fidelity and
generosity into constant exercise. The
same privileges that raise one young
man to honor and usefulness, are snare
and temptation to another. The same
recreation that invigorates one, enfeebles
another. The same sorrow that softens
one, and leads him out of self to works
of kindness and helpfulness prostrates
another, and renders him valuelese. 1t is
that which is within man that SO acts
upon the externals of life as to decide
their results to him, and through him to
others.
II this be so, then happiness or wretch
edness are largely in our power, and
most of our complaints only bear witness
to our own remissness. We may rightly
recognize the futility of struggling
against outward events which we cannot
control, but we can always bring to bear
upon them such spirit and influence
as shall turn evil into good and bitter
into sweet. DIR. Orville Dewey once said:
ION every account / must confess that
l am disposed to entertain very i'll
opinion of misery. Whether regarded as
proceeding from mans condition. CT
from his own mind. cannot think we'll
OF it. Sentimental sighings
there may be in early life. and in youth
full and immature poetry; but he who
has come to the manhood Of reason and
experience should know. what is true,
that the minds misery is chiefly its own
fault and is appointed as the punisher
and corrector of it's fault" -Philadel
phid Ledger.