Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-04-08
acquired in this earthly condition,
Is monumental character.

We arc now living IN an age
enriched 10y the most perfect type
of civilization the world has vet
produced; but with growing enlight-
eminent, increasing temptations of
many varied forms confront us for
settlement, which we, as followers
of the blessed hope in our Savior.
must strive through earnest prayer,
that we may Ice able TO successfully
overcome every evil thrown i'm our
pathway. AZ we journey toward the
Holy City. If we would win the
crown of eternal life, we must cult
vate real individual wealth based
on ennobling principles. We must
have minds which are ever awake
to the duties that are theirs to per
form, duties which make our lives,
aS well as those around whom we
work, Il blessing to humanity.
Christ needs workmen in his
vineyard whose characters will
overShadow all earthly riches,
talent and fame. The true great
ness of noble character must he
implanted inour lives, if we would
enter into that haven of rest pre-
pared for the faithful.
The world has seen the influences
of the depraved sharply contraSted
with those of uplifting morals and
spiritual worthiness. The need of
forming a good character while in
youthful bloom. cannot be over
estimated. The partial effects of
heredity cannot be denied: vet a
character can be 50 welded while
in Its early prime. that fit model
can be produced aS an example to
be handed down from father to
son, 80 causing the effects OF hered-
ity To ever afterwards prove bless
ing and help in furthering the for
nation of strong and well-rounded
characters.
Again. the environments sur
rounding the person may either be
4 great help, or an evil source from
which many an individual has fallen
from elevated positions, held in
former prosperous days; but how
ever great these hereditary and
external forces may be. we must
not dare place too much on the
shoulders of others, but bear our
own burdens; for certainly the
sharpest carving tools. the most
constant in use in sharpening
characters are oun own hands.
1t has truthfully been said,
Every action is a seed we SOW
from which we reap habit. we SOW
habit, we reap character, we sow
character. we reap destiny" The
will power ruled by conscience
pure in purpose and not tainted by
degraded or harsh usage. is the
best guard that we can command
for steering Alright the actions and
impulses OF human nature: until at
last our destinieS will eliminate in
unspeakable joys in home freed
from temptation.
\ character well begun steadily
increases in strength and power,
grasping new opportunities, until
it muitiplies into a heroism of last
ing value TO all mankind. The
difference between reputation and
character Is. that reputation is the
Judgment or estimation placed
upon our individual worth by
others, while character is just what
we are. ii Is our own personal
wealth irrespective of what others
may say or think of Us. Which is
the mort deSirablel Certainly
character brings with it the sweet
repOse of rest and ease OF feeling
that we have performed our duties,
remained true to a true principal
and in the end, if not from the
beginning, we Will secure a repute
which Will be handed down from
generation to generation like an
ever widening circle, to influence
men and women to lead nobler and
more perfect careers; one which
will stand the test of time even
through the ages of eternity.
The student of history can recall
various types of uplifting charac-
ters, many of which were blest in
possessing genius and large talents,
also commanded high positions,
immense wealth and public favor,
but these do not form the well
rounded basis upon which their
memory is cherished; they are only
attributes of secondary importance.
W. coO Io,-o IL ..-.4 m