Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-07
Defining the InGciinnbIe.
Observations Of a Philosophical Friend Of
Ours)

observations Of Philosophical Friend OF
Ours)
The first and noblest craving Of our
nature IS for light and truth. In the
pursuit Of knowledge the natural course IS
first, TO know things accurately and then
TO describe or define them truly for the
general world: TO let our light shine
clearly. And yet what a time mankind
have had in this great busnessl At best
we see through a glass darkly; don't
know exactly what We do know,
and in our efforts TO help one another
are as blind leading the blind. An ac-
cepted business observation IS that no
thing lies like figures unless It is facts.
Our statistical age has made financial
cookery TO be one Of the fine arts. And
the presentation OF facts so as surely and
uncrringly to mislead is a great achieve
ment. \ large part Of society language
is lying a Ia mode.
But even In common, regular-going life,
and with the best intentions. in lowly or
great efforts, We have a very hard time IN
trying TO find out and tell the truth. Sir
Walter Raleigh's reflections when he was
about 10 commence his great history are
familiar. But even when witnesses Will
tell the truth. the chances for accurate
truth TO impress itself are poor. Our
minds are prcoccupied, or prejudiced, or
judicially blind. We hear or observe a
part and supply the balance from our
own notions OF what things ought 10 be
or are likely 10 be- We aim at IL, and
botch the words Up lit 10 our own
thoughts"
There are two things necessary for
good, clear writing. one is q finely pointed
pen, the other Is q clear, hard surface,
a tablet or q sheet. il the pen is blunt or
jagged IL will make a blurred scallOwing
mark; If the paper IS rough or soft the
inscription Will be badly blotted and I'M
ineligible. The pen and the paper repre-
sent the speaker ana writer ard the tablet
or paper represent the nearer and reader
And it is subject 10 such conditions that
truth has its chances for diffusion In the
world-bad ears, bad eyes. bad pens, and
bad paper. and indistinct tongues. Back
Of everything else Is an unwilling heart
that Will only hear or see what suits ii;
that dareS TO discredit the evidence OF
the senses and all the force OF reason
unless II happens 10 be agreeable. The
fool has no delight in understanding. but
that his heart may discover itself"
1t is bad enough when We undertake TO
describe things that we have heard or
seen or had a hand in. but when We
get beyond the limits Of our actual ex-
perlences then are our chances poor in
deed.
In the observation and study of charac-
ter We are miserably at fault. \
human soul is very splendid
apparatus. very complicated piece
OF machinery. Every one Of US Is
individualized. and is TO be studied for
himself. And every one Of us is entitled
TO a just judgment. while not one OF US
can present a fair even surface OF mind
to take a faithful image.
The attempt TO define a character, TO
fix its limits and measure its possibilities.
IS TO attempt 10 define the undeanable
Surprises are the rule. Men are all made
up OF Inconsistencies and antaconisms
Generosity and meanness. courage and
cOwardice, kind and cruel, are continually
found IN the same soul. And under diffe-
rent circumstances we are altogether
different. And in dealing with one an
other the safest plan is never 10 abandon
hope OF the most unpromislng. and never
10 place absolute confidence in the most
reliable. our knowledge OF our own
weaknesses should warn us OF the possible
weakness or Others. That Is not misan-
thropy. The grand possibilities OF human
nature under the Influence OF the divine
Spirit IS the life and foundation OF the
Christian faith. To define the operations
the methods. and ways. and limits OF the
Holy Spirit Is beyond the power OF man.
The vain attempts Of the learned 70 de-
fine the undehnable have filed the libra
ries OF theologians with books; have d.
vlded the Christian household. have con-
fused the language OF the world. and
filled it with sects. denominations. and
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