The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-08-13
Trpme. $1.OO per year. in advance
Six Months 80 cents.

of gratitude in the receiver. We often
hear the people complain bitterly of
the absence of this, and declare that
their kindness has been utterly thrown
away. And it is certain that many
more, who would not give utterance to
this sentiment, yet nourish it secretly,
suffer acutely from the disappoint-
ment, and are embittered because of it
toward those whom they have bene-
fitted. This is said to be natural and
impossible to prevent Ingratitude is
so base and ignoble that it is not
strange that those who meet it should
be wounded by its thorns and be sorely
tempted to resent it. But even this
is largely dependent upon the motive
with which the action has been per-
formed. TO confer favor or to rem
der benefit of any kind, whether IN
helping the poor, or protiting friend,
or obliging a stranger, should be the
outcome of one real pure and legltl-
mate motive-that of doing good to
the receiver. If that be uDmingled
with any self-interested incentive 1t is
of itself it's own reward, and its sue
cess will be measured by the degree IN
which the intended good is accom-
plished. This single motive will pre-
vent any thought of return, whether
in the shape of other favors or the less
tangible reward of gratitude. When
the good to be done fills the mind 1t
crowds out thoughts of any reflex ac-
ton upon self. We cannot be self-ln-
terested and disinterested at the same
time. Favors or benefits conferred IN
any other spirit and with other hopes
are only more or less pronounced at
tempts to trade under false pretenees,
and have not the least claim to rank
as generous actions.
This is not too rarefed an atmos-
phere for human nature to breathe,
even at the present time. More than
1900 years ago Seneca wrote:
"The bookkeeping of benefits is SIM
pie; it is all expenditure; if any one re-
turns it, that is clear gain; If he does
not return it, it is not lost gave 1t
for the sake of giving. No one writes
down his gifts in ledger, or, like
grasping creditor demands payment.
1t is base usury to regard benefit as
an investment. We stoics take pleas
ure in bestowing benefits, even though
they cost us labor, provided that they
tighten the labOrs of others; though
they lead us into danger, provided that
they save others; though they stralten
our means, if they alleviate the pov-
erty and distress of others. That
which is bestowed with view to profit
is not a benefit. 4 will give this in
order that l may get return for it is
the language of broker
We cannot believe that the moral
power of human nature has decreased
since then, or that it's standards have
been lowered.
) The most disinterested of all benefits
are those rendered by the parent to the
child. He desires sorely the good OF
the object, without self-reference.
True, the wise parent does desire that
the child shall be grateful, but much
more for the sake of the childs char
acter than for his own qualification.
He studies his needs from every point
of view, and adopts the methods which
seem best adapted to secure them, not
ignoring pleasure, though making it
secondary to true welfare. AS far as
the same spirit governs US, in all our
4 social relations, so far will our gener-
osity be pure and noble, our favors be
. real benefits, and our joys in doing
good be untarnished by selfish hopes
. fears or NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.