The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-01-21

~ bn6 evil VI VIC
~ heart, pride stands out strongest
\ perhaps as ruler OF weak heads
Pope calls pride "the nsver-iail-
ing vice OF fools )" where it exists in great
degree there must be q shallow mind in the
background. Out Of the heart proceed evil
thoughts is is from within that pride
which goeth before destruction springs.
1t is not Of the honest pride that abhors
unworthy actions, that is ambitious for
good character, noble acts, and respect for
self that write; but OF the naughty pride.
the in any way but ''my way" that apes
humility, or puts on lofty airs and shows
contempt for others wants and wishes.
"Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud?
Likea swift tieeting meteor, "A fast flying cloud.
A flash of lighting Il break OF the wave,
Man passes from life to his rest i'll the grave"
The above lines are the opening of
poem written by William Knox, Of Scot
land, in 1920, and was favorite Of Abra-
ham Lincoln. His great, but humble mind,
always on the side Of humanity and right
eousness, could fully appreciate the depth
OF sentiment in the beauty Of the lines.
Lincoln passed his early boyhood in
western cabin poor, isolated, nothing to
call the attractions of home that we clamor
for nowadays to keep boys on the farm.
His mother died, and he came under the
care Of = step-mother while quite young !;
she proved to be q wise woman, careful
disciplinarian, and he showed the gratitude
he felt for her kindness to him by present.
ing her with some land and home with
the first money he earned. He worked
hard, lived plainly, did his duty to those
who employed him ; pride and haughtiness
were foreign to his nature he had no con-
oern lest he might get into social "set"
beneath him, but told the best stories and
jokes at the village store, gave the strongest
arguments at the country debating school,
and grew in strength Of body and mind,
and came to be chief OF the nation CEN
ter around which the whole country raj
lied, man respected by all and loved by
most burdens increased, duties multiplied,
his great soul was almost crushed with the
weight Of responsibility resting on him in
those crucial days Of the Civil War. But
he carried them bravely through to the end /;
not to live in luxury, to be idolized by the
people he had served, to enjoy the reward
we would think he richly deserved, but to
be stricken by the hand Of mailman, and
his distinguished talents, his noble man
hood "hiddcn and lost in the depths Of the
grave"
Why should the spirit Of mortal be proud
What is there to be proud Of in this life?
Those who have lived many years, and
been observant Of things about them, know
that all things are transitory. They have
seen the high and mighty, the rich and
naughty come to low estates, and go down
sorrowing to their final rest, Whom the
Lord loveth he chasteneth -; there are none
to escape. We are to be tried in the fur
mace. Let us graft it in our hearts that the
day Of Christening must come that fiue
clothes, great estates, gentle manners, pious
thoughts, good deeds, generous acts, and
worthy purposes cannot prevent. We are
to be tested and our virtue proven ere it
can pass in the court above or here below.
Let this become rooted in the mind, and it
will drive out pride as speedily as the devils
were cast from the man into herd OF swine
and swallowed up in the sea.
In my recollection can count score or
more of families that envied in my young
years. and wished could have the good
times they seemed to be having. Wished
that could ride in fine carriages, live in
fine houses, 90 to fashionable schools and
amusements, dress in elegance, and have
everything as | wanted it as they had.
They seemed so far above me in all things
but time, the leveler, has shown me the
folly of such envy. Let people enjoy all
the good things they may, there is yet
portion in store for them that is not enjoy
able-a skeleton in the closet that is striy-
ing to get the mastery over content. Where
are all those enviable families now? Many
have returned to dust some leaving behind
children who have come to be the heads of
families that no one envies. Some are poor
some are rich in worldly goods, but in
nothing else some are broken in health
and spirits, some going one road, and some
another, but see nothing to covet now
they have all had troubles and sorrows and
grievous burdens equal to any ever knew.
1t is the all-wise planning to keep us hum
BILE, to drive out pride, and compel us to
live for higher purposes than selfish enjoy
ment.
Why should the spirit of mortal be
proud?