The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-10
SELf.DEvEAOPMENT.
Sorrow and the Ministry of PAia Oftel
PerfectB the Character.

Sorrow and the Ministry Of Psin Ofte1
Perfects the Character.
1t is the misfortune of young peoplt
before they become fully engaged il
the relations of life and business, that
they look too much to acquaintance
for encouragement. and make the
amusement which their associates fur
nish too indispensable. The tender
mind OF youth is reluctant, or unable
to stand alone; it needs to be one o.
a class. Hence the hours that ought
to be spent in the acquisition of that
general knowledge which is so useful
in after life, and which can be acquired
only in youth, are thrown away in the
most inglorious pursuits, for acquaint.
ances are seldom the companions Of
study or the auxiliaries of business.
Emotions that are not followed up
by their appropriate action have tend
ency to decrease and perish. Thus soft.
hearted tendency and ready sympathy,
if allowed to expend themselves with.
out producing any practical effort to re,
lieve suffering or to. give happiness,
grow feebler and feebler until they de-
generate into puerile self-pity which
make even cruelty and injustice posi-.
BILE. Manners have been cynically de-
fined as thing by which wise men
keep fools at distance. Fashion il
shrevd to detect those who do not be-
long to her train; and seldom wastes
her attentions. Society is very swift
in its instincts, and if you do not be-
long to it, resists and sneers at you.
or quietly drops you. Accordingly, the
conditions and surroundings of life are
largely what we make them. This is
the case, first of all, through our direct
influence. We are raised or lowered by
our associations. Men are generally
alike in their lower natures; it is in
the higher character that they differ.
Manners, temper, intellect and morals
are all directly influenced by our sur.
roundings, and those who choose for
themselves friends OF an inferior caste
whether of mind or manners, of NOR
ais or of conduct-fall to the level of
their choice. AS a general thing we
reap that which we have sown. But
where il is not so, where circumstances
over which we have no control come in,
the form of trials or joys, even There
are greatly modified by the spirit in
which they are received. Who has not
seen poverty or bereavement borne SO
heroically and cheerfully that the af-
ficted one seemed rather an object OF
envy than OF compassion? On the other
hand, who has not seen one with every
outward advantage that earth has 10
bestow rendering himself and others
miserable by fretful complaints OF
troubles too petty to deserve moments
notice? There are millions of human
beings who, but for suffering, would
never have developed an atom of affec-
ton. There are powers to be borne,
creations to be perfected, through the
of pain, which could be borne
and perfected in no other way.
Our sorrows. which appear to Us moth
ing but a yawning chasm or hideous
precipice, may turn out 10 be but the |
Joining or cement which binds together
the fragments of our existence in'p
solid whole. The dark and crooked |
path, In which we have TO groPe our !
way in doubt and fear, may be but the !
curve which, in full daylight of bright
er world, viii appear to be the necessary !
finish of some choice ornaments, the 1
inevitable span TO some bright project I
The finer the nature the more flaws !
will it show through the cleaTness OF IT. 4
The best things the moss seldom seen 1
in their best form; same a. q tender
hearted and compassionate disposition
which inclines men TO pity and feel
the misfortunes of others. and which
is even for its own sake incapable OF
inclosing any man in misery. Is OF al
sempers OF mind the most arniaoie one,
and though il never receives much
honor. is worthy OF the highest One
thing we should always renlem Der. that
our greatest glory IS not in neTer fall-
ing, but in rising every time we 90 ialL
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