Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-05-23


upon the delivery of his sermon, which
proved to be a most interesting dis
course, unusually full of meat. The
following synopsis will give very sat-
isfactory idea of what the chaplain had
to say
St. John xiv, 10. because I live ye
shall live Also"
Individuality is the glorious gospel
of the achievement of personality, of
the attainment of independence of life,
of self mastery the glorious gospel
that every man, by the slow, long and
tedious process of individuation may
build in the fulness of assertion and
soul life. Personally is common to all
individuals. 1t is as widely ditfused as
humanity. 1t is the particular and
appropriate essence of each. 1t is the
common property of every single in
dividual. Hence its peculiar aptitude
for this mornings discussion.
1t has been problem that has deep.
ly interested ethnic writers-the won
derful powers Of assimilation found in
this country. The subtle influences at
work are difficult to trace satisfacto-
rily, but the results are plainly evident
and visible. There is comprehensive
difference, admitted by chronological
students, between Continental Europe
and America. The race elements are
clearly defined, but in some inexplica-
BILE manner, the amalgamation of races
is almost Immediately consolidated on
this side, and the personality of the
individual soon becomes characteristic
of what is known as the "American
spirit" There is freedom, liberality,
cosmopolitan brotherhood on the other
side; but these elements find their ulti-
mate expression in king, &c. Here
everybody is king, and equality, lib
erty and fraternity are concrete rather
than abstract terms.
England is the only type ofa demo-
cratic government, as democracy is un-
derstood by us today. 1t appears a
god.given right to the Anglo.Saxon
race to preach, teach and promulgate
true liberty, in the proper estimate Of
individual personality.
The personality of the individual
crops up continually. Especially so
in Americanism. The English mil
itary attache emphasized this fact
| in his remarks on the American
soldier during the Cuban war. Of
essential strength was it in the
Confederate army. Magniicently
commanded generally; fighting for
home and hearthstones an undoubted
strength; but the morale of the south
ern army was conspicuously great as
its strength of personality, of individ-
ualism of leaders, of rank and file
was developed.
Now, you are not only members OF
military organization, owing ale
glance to state and country, ready and
willing to sacrifice selves upon the
alter of nationality but are also citi-
zens of heavenly organization with
Christ as chief commander. The deep
principles underlying the text, viz
personality, are applicable to you as a
military organization and as soldiers
of God. These principles are COM
forting, consolatory and edifying
The same reasons, fundamentals,
grounds, foundations, basis underlying
Gods life, and Christ's life underlie
yours too. Your life should not be a
reflected imitable, limitable one. The
marvellous truth, that every human
soul has within it, the possibility OF
life, personal, individual life, the en-
tire freedom of the perfect life of God,
of Christ. Personality is the highest
achievement in human life. To be
yourself is the highest possible con-
ceivable attainment.
Christ is the great examplar-the
pattern man-the great life. Christ's
greatness consists in living his own
life, because the realization, the COM
pleteness, the fullness, the fnality
| of personality was in him. His life
was not an imitation, not refec-
ton even of Gods; but the full
expression of what God had i'm
planted there. He lived him
self-the highest achievement-the
deepest personality, the grandest and
more exalted individuality. Nothing
in the realms of scientific or physical
research can compare in work or sig
nificance with this comprehensive at
tainment of personality. "Man be-
hind the guns" today emphasizes the
individuals personality.
The Civil war abounded in leaders OF
great personality. We have thus the
unique spectacle of country and peo-
pie celebrating with love and enthu-
siasm the greatest disaster that could
happen to them. Countries and peo-
ple do not celebrate defeats. England
does not celebrate her Majuba Hill
France, Sedan; Prussia, Jena; Aus
tria, Austerlitz; Russia, Moscow. But
the Southland celebrates with growing
enthusiasm on her memorial days, her
greatest disaster, ber severe defeats,
and why? Because she believes IN
the business and justice of the princl-
Piles underlying her cause. 1ndivid-
uality, personality is constantly ap'
parent.
In its absolute condition, found
without Limitation in God only; but
mans personality is not without reall-
ty. Man, not backboneless verte-
brate-a spongy amoeba, controlless
bunch or collection of hereditary traits
and tendencies, product of environ
ment, marble played upon by the CHS
ell. Mans personality generally i'm
paired by outside influences. Muta'