The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-11

N1t Us 7o Qs G1vS1s6 o1Haao ~ ~ 1osN1oQe
classes, 1t is less to tho external fatali-
ties than to the inward fatality that we
4 owe them. Tic antaronisin of interests
1 ana tho contrasts of situations dis
A bitches between us-no one can deny t---S
,:but pride transforms those bitches into
abysscs, and In reality 1t is they only
| who cry from one bank to the other.
"Therc Is nothing II, common between!
you and us. 49,.
we have not vet finished with pride.
I but It is impossible to picture It under
i all OF It's forms Il blame It, above al.
when 1t NEEDLES with knowledge and
stcrillzcs It. We owe knowledge, like
riches aud power. to. Our fellow beings.
1t is a social force which should serve
and 1t cannot. unless those who know
remain in heart near those who do not
know. When knowledge transforms it
self into mn Instrument Of ambition, It
destroys itself.
What shall we say OF the pride Of tile
! good people? for 1t exists, and renders
even virtue hateful. The Just who re-
pent OF tho evil that others do, live In q
solidarity and In a social truth. On tho
contrary, the just who dcspise others
for their faults ana their crooknedness
and their qualities. descended to the rank
of a vain ornament 81 their vanity. be-
come similar to those riches which kind
ness does not inspire to that authority
Which does not temper the spirit OF Que
diencc. AS much as the naughty rich.
and the arrogant master prideful virtue
is dctestable. 1t gives man ntures5 ana
an attitude that reveal. know not what
that IS belligerent It's example drives
us away instead Of drawing us to them,
and those whom this virtue deisns to-
honor with its benefits feel as II they
had received a blow.
Let us sun, up and conclude.
81 1t Is an error to think that our adj
vantagcs. whatever they are, should be
put to the service of our vanity. laach
one OF them constitutes for him who en-
joys it an obligation and 7, not an op1Sc,j
for Disqualification. The material
goods, power, knowledge, and the quail
ties OF the heart and mind become as
many ca uses Of discord when they serve
TO nourish pride. They are only benefl-
cent when they remain subjects Of mod
@csty for those WHO possess them. Let
us be humble If we possess much, Do-
cause that proves that We are debtors.
All that u man has he owes to some one
rnd are We sure OF being able to pay
our debts?
Let us be humble If we are vested with
some important function and ! We ho!d
in our hands tho fate of others, LOT ~ ID
fmpossible that clcnr-seeing man does
not feel himself under such grave duties
Let us be humble If we have many ac-
ouaintances, for they serve US put tlle
better 10 authenticate the srea,'.eS ,'.n =.
the unknown, and to compare the Htlc
that wo have discovered by ourselves
with the mass or what we owe to he /
ma ms Of Others III ~
!. In SIM. let us be humble above all,
IL We are virtMous. because no one can
better feel his defects than ne VINO mas
been drilled, and more than any one ne
should feel the need Of being .,ndulsen.
10 others, and to suffer for others VINO
are doing wrong.
And what do you do with. the 'reee,s-
sary distinctions some one may say.
with so much simplicity are you snot So
ing to cffacc that sentiment OF distance
which it is necessary to maintain LOT inc inc
proper working ofNa society?
am not of the opinion lhat y WIN
be well to suppress the distances a',Nl
t,nctions. But j think that what dis
ftinguishcs a man is not found III grade, !
in function, neither in the uniform, nor
in the fortune, but in him alone. MOTE
than any other epoch, ou:s has tofh,
away the vanity OF purely external things
no be SOME ono now 1t does not SUI
fro any longer to wear the mantle OIL
an emperor or n royal Y crown w y, III III.
GOOD would It serve to wear gold litcc,
have a coat OF arms, or q ribbon Ter
tninly. external signs are not to be COLI
demned. they have their signiflcu ton ana
their utility, but on condition that they,
cover something and not emptiness. Inc
day when they mean nothing they become
useless and dangerous The only way
10 distinguish ones self IS 70 DC pellcr.
If you wish that the social dlstlnctilohs,
SO necessary. so respectable III themselves,
should be effectually respected, you mus
first make yourself worthy Of them. Oth-
c,.pyise YOU will contribute to making
them hated and despiscd. 1t is q thing
unfortunately too certain that respect
is at a low ebb with us. and 1t Is Ger |
tainly not the fault Of the distinctions
suitable 10 mark what thoy wish should
no respected. The cause of the evil is
In the belief that n high position eX-
enDts him who occupies 1t from opserV-
Ing tho current duties OF lie. ~ TIT
ing ourselves We believe that We are ilft-
cd above the law. And so VIC forget That
tho spirit OF modesty and obedience
should should grow with the occasion. !
results that those who den11nd the most
respect for their charge do the least to
merit 1t. That Is why respect is dlmln-
fishing.
rho only distinction necessary is this
which consists III the desire to be bet
ter. Tho man who tries to become bet
ter becomes more humble, more adora-
bic, and more familiar even with those
who owe him respect. But as It gains by
being better known hierarchy loses
nothing. and it rcaps all the more re-
spect where it sowcd the least pride.
CHAPTER xIII
EDUCATION IN SIMPLICITY.
The simple life being, above all, the pro-
duct Of Il direction Of tho mind, It IL
natural that education should havc Il
great influencclin that domain.
we employ scarcely more than two
methods of bringing up children.
Tho first consists IN bringing them up
for ourselves,
The second consists In bringing them