The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-07-02
Chflst's B1anliness.

everyone Of Us single handed sxsinst q
host Of foes, the last requisite for o good
fight, the last proof and test Of our cour-
age and manfulness. must be loyalty to
truth-the most rare and difficult Of an
human qualities. For such loyalty, a. it
grows in perfection, asks ever more and
more of US, and sets before US standard
OF inanliness always rising higher and
higher
And this is the great lesson which We
shall learn from Christ's life, the more
earnestly and faithfully we study It.
For this end was born, and for this
cause came / into the world. TO bear wit
meas to the truth" To bear this witness
against avowed and open enemies is com.
paratively easy. But to bear il against
those we love, against those whose iudg-
ment and opinions we respect, In defense
Of furtherance of that which approves IL.
self as true to our own Utmost consciences
this Is the last and abiding test OF courxge
inevitable it Is, that we should fan into
the habit of appreciating and judging
things mainly by the standards In common
use amongst those we respect and lore.
But these very standards are apt to break
down with Us when we are brought face
to face with some question which takee
Us ever 20 little out Of ourselves and our
usual moods. At such times we are drives
to admit in our hearts that we, and thoss
we respect and love, have been looking 81
and judging things, not truthfully, and
but conventionally. And then comes ons
Of the most searching Of all trials Of cours
age and manliness, when . man or woman
is called to stand by what approves itssls
to their consciences a. true, and to protest.
for it through evil report and good rcportI
against all discouragement and oppositioul
from those they love or respect. The sense
OF antagonism instead Of rest, OF distrust
and alienation instead of approval and
sympathy. which such times bring, is test
which tries the very heart and reins, and
in all conditions Of life.
Absolute truth Of speech and rectituds
Of behavior will not fail to bring thsif
fiery trials, il also in the end their exl
ceeding great rewards.-Thomas Hughes.
The Secret Of Growth.
I've can't make things grow" said an
old gardener, significantly. I'VE can only
get them to grow" That is q wide dis
tinction, and one which applies to human
as well as plant growth. The secret Of the
| promotion Of growth is not what we do
to the plant or the soul, but what we do
toE u. Ouf WORK must DC uOne through
the medium of changed or 5ettered condi-
tions. The only legitimate or effective
way to induce giowth in others, or in our.
selves, is to make circumstances more IA
vorab!e to growth. Stimulate BY minis.
tering to-that is the Divine law. 1
Too often we try to force mental or
moral growth BY chiding or shaming. But
this is wholly unnatural and fruitAss
Methods barren Of results as would be
the constant uncovering and squeezing OF
young potato. The only way to make
anything grow faster is TO draw it out bE
fulfilling or improving the natural condi.
tions OF its expansion from within. Pro-
vide richer soil. Supply the elements
particularly needed for individual growth.
Water, weed, cultivate-this is the secret
of both the plant gardener and the soul
gardener. Is not nourishmept the basis Of
all real stimulants?
The wise parent, friend, teacher, het6er,
| will never use accusation or complaint a.
means OF growth promotion. That method
only ofends and stunts. To quietly i'm
prove the conditions and materials for tbs
natural expansion Of mind or soul, 10 the
only reasonable, effective method. Il 8ss
Christ's method; and none was ever %
successful as He in expanding and enrich
ing the individual human ife.-Welspring