Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-04-05
Miseellaaeuas 8eading.
OF GOOD READING.
Influence on Character Building Al
most InestimabIe.

Influence on Character Building Al
most InestimabIe.
Nothing is worth so much to a per-
son as his character. The great teach
er says, "a mans life consisteth not
In the abundance Of the things which
he possesseth." But 1t does consist in
his character. The richest estate or
highest position does not weigh a
feathers weight when balanced against
character.
This commercial age estimates a
person largely by his material posses
sions. What Is he worth" means how
much real estate, stocks or notes can
he call his own. But worth really con-
sists in character-not in what a per-
sons has. but in what he Is. Char
acter will be in active existence when
the material world shall have all pass
ed away. Well. does the Savior ask.
What shall 1t profit a man II he
shall gain the whole world, and lose
his own SOUL"
Character Is natural possession.
Each person is born with his own pc
culiar disposition which manifests it
self as soon as he begins to act as an
Intelligent and moral being. 1t is,
however, greatly subject to influence.
These suppress or develop 1t, ac-
cording as they are in agreement with,
or in opposition to it.
Our own thoughts are the moulders
Of our characterize food upon which
they subsist. AS the thoughts run so
Is the character moulded and developed.
If thoughts run along high planes, the
character is elevated and enlarged.
If they dwell upon things low and vi
cious, it Is degraded. II they are
upon subjects weak and trivial. 1t be-
comes light and trifling. There Is
much significance in these words OF
Holy Writ. "They followed vanity,
and became vain.", Since this is true,
1t follows that whatever suggests and
stimulates thought influences char
acter.
The two most potent factors, per-
haps, in the realm Of thought. are
companionship and reading. If one Is
close, thoughtful reader, 1t acts more
powerfully than companionship. Read
ing Is companionship with the author,
Of the closest kind. A sentiment read
in the quiet and seclusion Of our own
hearts goes more directly and forcibly
to the soul than when 1t is heard from
the lips Of another. 1t is, therefore, all
important that the habit Of reading be
acquired. Many persons Of natural
intelligence are not able to read. They
can go over a light article Of news In
the paper, and get the meaning Of 1t;
but they cannot apply their minds to
reading at any length.
The consequence is that there Is
little or no enlargement Of the cir
cles in which their thoughts run. No
new ideas and Views, except as they
may be obtained from association with
others (and their associates are usually
as vacant of ideas as they are). They
are also dependent upon the company
of others to pass away the time, lone
some and miserable unless repeating
or hearing old thread-bare jokes and
expressions.
There Is great need Of the cultiva-
ton of the reading habit, the ability
to read with interest and understand
ingly. Still more important is the ac-
quirement Of the ability to read sub
stantial literature. I have heard 1t
said of certain persons, "he Cor she)
is q great reader. Just let him have
a book, and he is satisfied" This
sounds very pleasant, wholesome. But
I have found the reading to be OF the
poorest character Sensational sto-
ries, light and trashy. full Of immoral
and vicious suggestions. That Is the
style of literature now most In vogue.
That is the food that character Is be-
ing fed upon. No character Of worth
and nobility can be built up by
thoughts suggested by sensational pa
pers and cheap novels. Far better
Is it to read nothing at all than such
literature as Is now generally read.
Substantial books, such as history,
travels, biography. and solid articles
on life's duties and privileges are too
prosy to be endured. Even the high
order of novels. such as Scott and
Dickens. are too heavy for the light
trivial taste Of the general reader.
Their mental and moral appetites and
digestion can take nothing but the
weak and the trashy.
In reading the works of the wise and
good, we hold intercourse Of a closer
nature with them-we associate with
them as bosom friends. Their thoughts
come into our minds and mould our
thoughts. 1t Is an inspiring Idea that
we can sit quietly down and by read
ing, commune with the great and good
of the ages past, and to an extent In
so doing, become like them in char-
acter. LAS in water face answereth
face, so the heart Of man to man"
But no amount of substantial reading
suffices unless there Is reading on re-
ligious subjects. The religious sphere
of our natures is that Of the most
transcendent Importance. If a per-
sons character be developed In all
other spheres, and lacks development
in the religious. he lacks "the one
thing needful." His character can
not stand the final test, but will prove
like chaff which the wind driveth