The mirror., 1896-04-16

edge. the breath of the soul, the
commerce of hearts, the bond OF
friendship, the nourishment OF
content, and the occupation OF
men of wit.
Taste, if it means anything but
a paltry connoisseurship, must
mean general susceptibility to
truth and nobleness, a sense to
discern and heart to love and
reverence all beauty, order, good
ness, wheresoever or IN whatsoever
forms and accomplishments they
are to be seen.
What makes selfshness such a
deadly sin is that it is such self
deceiving one. A thief knows that
he is thief, liar that he has
told falsehoods: but selfish man
does not know that he is selfish;
hence he never repents his sin,
and it grows with his growth and
strengthens with his strength.
In all lives there is crisis in
the formation of character. 1t
comes from many causes, and from
some which on the surface are ap-
parently trivial. But the result
is the samoa sudden revelation
to ourselves Of our secret pur-
poses. and a recognition of our
perhaps long-shadowed, but now
masterful convictions.
There are many mothers who
reproach themselves with neglect
ing their duty to their children it
they do not constantly interfere
with their movements: but they
forget that in point Of physical
education nature herself is such
an excellent teacher that the ap-
parent neglect is really transfer
of the pupil to a more efficient
school.
Man himself is the author of
most of his infirmities, and Of them
the greater number originate pure
ly in mental or moral cause. 1t
would be absurd to suppose that
many diseases. and deaths too,
should not arise from causes be-
yond the control Of man; but his
own pursuits and habits in life lay
the foundation Of by far the great
est portion.
Life is building. It rises slow
ly day by day through the years.
Every new lesson we learn lays a
block on the edifice which is ris-
ing silently within us. Every ex-
perience, every touch Of another
life on ours, every influence that
impresses us, every book we read
every conversation we have, every
act of our commonest days adds
something to the invisible build
ing.
They who have undergone and
overcome, stand with their keys
to open the portals Of life's great
emergencies to their brethren
Every stroke Of sorrow that issues
into light and joy is God putting
into your hand the key Of that sor-
row. to unlock it for all the poor
souls whom you may see approach
ing it through all your future life
1t is noble thing to take that
key and use it.
1t is said that tact may be ac-
quired, but in general it is a gift
and one not only gratifying to
others, but a source Of pleasure tc
those endowed with it. It sur
mounts difficulties less by crap
pling with them than by insinu-
ating it's way through them with
graceful ease. Tact is always on the
alert, always ready to turn advan-
tages to account Like many other
gifts. it may be abused; but it is
one of the good things Of life which
promote enjoyment.
The grave and reasonable re-
proof that is meant in all kindness
to subdue a fault, or the serious
condemnation of serious offense
not measured by the personal OF
immediate inconvenience it causes
but by the reality and danger oi
the evil itself, is a most efficient
instrument of social well-being. Sc
to an even greater extent is the
sincere, truthful, and honest ex
preston Of pleasure at conduct
that commands our respect anc
admiration.