Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-12-30
CHARACTER AND REPUTATION
BY BYRON MILLETT,

These two terms, character and rep
utation, which are so frequently used
INTERCHANGEABLE, are essentially unlike
and distinct. Character is what we
make for ourselves; it stands for what
We really are: the best or the worst
that is within us. Its force is latent
and unseen; it is also the highest, as
we'll as the central force which per.
meates mans nature. 1t looks within
rather than towards the outer-world.
though its influence is reflex and mani.
fest among all human activities. A
good character constitutes the essence
OF mans moral and spiritual well-be-
ing; its most beneficent expression is
found in worthy deeds prompted by
the cardinal virtues Of love and good
fellowship always present in the sensi-
BILE and virtuous souls OF mankind.
Resting on such foundations, the
storms OF calumny may blow; the Vi
cissi,udes of lie may obscure the edi-
flee for a season; but its grandeur
cannot long remain eclipsed; for every
good thing in this grand universe
marches towards the light OF an ever.
lasting day. A good character is
founded to endure; it is part of the
divine economy; 10 monument more
lasting than columns of granite, which
the gnawing tooth OF time will cause
to crumble and resolve themselves into
their constituent elements. Reputa.
ton represents what others may think
about US, rests upon a foundation as
uncertain as the shifting sands of the
desert: loved to-day, hated tomorrow
like the bubble liable to burst at any
moment. Now you see the sunshine,
then the shadow appears; the glow
has disappeared all OF sudden and
the place thereof shall know it no
more.
The cashier OF banking institution
may have had good reputation, while
he had the confidence of his fellow.
men. who trusted him. All at once
hO oCOOuco hhO" II 80 . uCiAulLCIs I1A0Y
suffer losses by reason of his evil do.
ing. Such individual, all the time
that trust was reposed in him, had
good reputation, but a bad character.
There were defects in his moral make.
up, which remained hidden until his
misdeeds revealed his true nature; or
il you please his real character. On
the other hand, a person may have a
good character combined with bad
Jesus was reviled by men.
called all manner of names BY the
scribes. Pharisees and the rabble. His
however, could not be sue.
cessfully assailed; it was founded to
endure. The Master said: "Woe
unto you, when all men shall speak
we'll of you" Paul, noble specimen
of Christian character was despised,
prosecuted and treated as the veriest
" ofiscourings OF the EARTH" When
he went to Ephesus to preach the
gospel to the wicked idolators, the
mob led by the silver-smiths, whose
trade had been in a great measure
promoted by making and fashioning
household gods and idols for the in.
habitants to worship, became greatly
incensed because they imagined that
their vested interests were menaced,
applied to the great Apostle the most
opprobious epithets. and exclaimed
Great is Diana of the Ephesians."
Thus we see how q lovely character
was united with bad reputation. In
stances illustrating the verify of this
proposition may be multiplied indefi.
nitely. In every age, when men and
women Of excellent character have
protested against vested wrongs, hoary
with age and begrimed with super.
stition, they have been assailed, perse.
cuted and frequently put to death,
because they had the moral courage
to express the truth Of their souls.
Their reputation was at a discount,
but their character was above par.
which goes shining down the course of
time with matchlcss splendor, while
their traducers and prosecutors sleep
in forgotten graves.
There can be no true friendship.
except ms between persons of good
character. An individual who is all
things to all men may have a good
reputation as the world goes. but he
is trifiing to himself, often on the dead
level OF the moral degenerate.
ave live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not
hreaths:
In feelings not In figures on dial
We should count time by heart throbs. He lives
most
"who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the
best"
LEAP-YEAR has shown up the banner
marriage record, at Spokane, with
nearly 1900 licenses issued against
1,OiS last year which so far had been
the extreme limit.
SENATOR Foster has under way Con.
gressional action for an approp ration
to establish and maintain an insane
Ayo.,,.