The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-06-12

can be so developed that he shall be- l
come wholly good instead of partly |
bad. The dignity OF human nature is
q persistent fact which no amount of
the Theological controversy can clint
nate. and no nan in all the multitude
butitcels attincs the pulsing IF higher
hopes AID the consciousness that he
may set luifIi his mission.
Men and women are nobler than we |
think. in the great fabric OF the com
munity are golden threads of PERSONAL
heroism, of -~self-sacritice, Of calm and
quiet endurance, that has never been
told by orator and never sung by poet.
The heroes and heroines of ordinary
lie are too numerous for counting.
Men and women are daily facing emer-
gencies which require a loftier cour-
age than was yer displayed on the
field of battle. The physical daring
which under excitement and the inn
pulse OF q love Of glory stands amid
shot and shell and bears the nag aloft
through q shower of bullets may be
altogether admirable, and is certainly
worthy OF the rewards of honor which
1t receives; but there is a nobler dar-
ing, and 1T deserves q FAR higher need
OF praise, as when the young man
catches a glimpse, by a flash of Iightn-
ing Though the darkness, of the in
evltable results Of his evil life, and
with a mighty efforts breaks from the
entanglement Of vicious habits and in
spite of cajoleries and gibes and jeers
claims possession of himself and main
tains the claim with a will that no
circumstances can break.
Who can tell how many experiences
OF this kind occur ever year In a city
like this Few hear of them, for they
are wrought in silence or solitude.
Such a Hercules does not become
famous by his achievement, but he is
nobler than any Olympic god that
ever found a place in history or
mythology.
There are wives who bear the brunt
Of i'll fortune without q murmur, hus-
bands who struggle with poverty, or
Impending poverty, with q calm
fortitude which excites the pity Of the
cloud of witnesses" in the upper air
both men and m who have secret
sufferings SO great that their hearts
are beating a dead march to the grave,
but from whose lips no word OF COM
plant escapes, and girls by the score
spite of fate, preferring the loneliness
of a dingy room with honesty for COM
pany to tho gaudy surroundings which
are bought with impurity of life.
These are not rare instances by any
Ii you could peer into the
souls OF the passers by you would find
them at every corner. These are the
silent gods and %goddesses of our
modern day, whose statues are not to
certainly be found in tho temple of
eternity. They belong to the unre-
cognized nobility-to that peerage Of
God who are doomed to suffering to-
day, but will rejoice with great glad
ness tomorrow.
One illustration will suffice. 1t is O
pathetic story, but it is also u true one.
Inc aged father needed constant care,
and the daughter, thinking her first
duty was to him, babe her suitors good
night. While Watching at his side
she developed, a frightfui and perhaps
fatal malady. Though she might DO
saved by an operation she refused to
submit lest anxiety should hasten the
parents death. II am nothing" she
said he Is evorything," and SO the
malady reinforced itself week by week.
She deliberately and knowingly spent
herself for him, and ho fell into his
last sleep unconscious of the sacrifices
which that noble soul was making.
Total ~depravity? 1t is blasphemy
TO utter the words in such a connec-
ton. Better far the language of
Genesis: Let us mako man in our
image, after our likeness"
Human nature is like an armful Of
hickory in tho fireplace, with an arm
full OF pine underneath. The hickory
needs only to be kindled, and it will
ill the room with genial heat. Men
women can do anything under the
proper influence. The capacity is
there supply the motive. and there is
no degree OF heroism Which may not
be attaincd.-Now York Herald.