The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-04-29
THOUGHTS ON THE TWO SELVES.


lNemol
When we speak Of powerful in-
divlduallty; Of the strength Of the Ego
or the prevalence Of Selfishness, we are
apt to forget that there are in reality
individuals, two Egos and two selves
sheltered with each Of US. We easily
recognize the duality Of our members,
and are grateful to the left eye both for
our enlarged vision, and for acting a.
an understudy, even If we dispense
with its services when we would aim
correctly or judge with exactness.
We make the acquaintance OF our
double brain at school, and, to the end
Of our days, accept its existence on
faith. Sometimes vision from the
domain Ofour sub-consciousnesss tartles
us-we are at a new place, and sudden
" fancy we have been there before, OF
there comes over US the creepy sugges-
ton Of prior state Of being, or we
struggle to recall some eerie dream
music. At such times we are inclined
to wonder if partnership in our nervous
system has been temporarily dissolved
and the senior member retired as
silent partner, whilst the junior rashly
discloses some of the secrets Of our
prison house.
Similarly do we forget the duality OF
moral nature. we are perfectly willing
to admit that there may be heights Id
man that reach to highest heaven, ana
depths that touch the deepest hell; but
we are slow to acknowledge that he
who flies highest can also dive lowest.
We read Dr. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde as
gruesome story fascinatingly told rath-
er than as an allegory illustrating a
most profound truth. For true 1t Is
that many Of US have potentialities al
most divine and possibilities all but
fiendish, and that some at least have
discovered the secret Of separating the
two so completely that, in human
mood we ignore the beast, and In re-
verting to our animal ancestry we for
get our upward development. 1t Is
dangerous trick to learn. No man can
serve two masters, and some day the
magic transmutor discovered by the
human, will be lost by the beast ana
the downward path alone remain open
Many have said that more harm If
done to the cause Of Christianity Dy
the inconsistencies Of those who profess
and call themselves Christians than by
all the attacks Of skeptics or the craft
and assaults Of the Devil. Tojudge the
merits of creed by the character OF
those who profess it is perfectly lit
ogical butts wonderfully natural ialacy
The Ascending bank-clerk who was IA
good church member" the fraudulent
company promoter who was most
moving preacher, or the simple coun-
try pastor with a secret life in the city
never cease to excite surprise as well a.
double condemnation Yet ali are not
hvpocrits. Those who have not forgot
ten that once popular and ever-charIn-
ing story, "The Cloister and the
Hearth" will remember that when the
pious father Of the great Erasmus lost,
for a time, his faith in the Good, he
plunged more deeply into the mlre
than his thoroughly worldly compan
ion. When he returned to bis native
land. his wife, and his right mind'
those who had known him in Italy
doubtless pointed him out as the arch
hypocrite. Yet throughout he was a.
sincere in virtue and in vice as he was
i'm his alternate devotion to Cloister and
to Hearth.
The cultivation Of the moral nature
increases its sensitiviiy, quickens It's
aptitude to adjust itself to any novel
study whether Of good or evil. Where
fore, perchance, the greater the saint
the greater the Sinner. cannot en-
large our capacity for pleasure without
also intensifying our feeling Of pain
I'm other words, the more delicate and
extended the upper register, the coaf-
ser and deeper the lower.
There are many who prefer to keep
"the even tenor Of their way" but he
who would rise conspicuous aboye his
fellows must bear in mind the twin
natures within him, and remember
that the more beautiful the character
Of DR.. Jekyll, the more loathsome ap-
pears that Of Mr.. Hyde. Nor need he
fear TO rise high lest the fall far. The
duke warm and the splendidly null"
have been the scOrn Of both divine ana
poetic inspiration.
The timid soul will steer LIES ship
Down pleasant streams where willows dip
From banks with bloom bedecked
And fears the full free winds that sweep
In sounding GLORIOUS DER the Deep
Relentless and unchecked
Yet they who placid pools explore
Can only see a well.known shore
And fair familiar strands.
For none but those that brave the Main
Discover worlds and bring again
The wealth OF distant lands.
Get Your Money Ready For the Mill
tary Fair.
There is no more important organiza
ton in our town than is our military
company. 1t has been often called Oh
to respond to calls made upon it to con