The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-07-22
OUR LITERARY TABLE
The Touohstone Of Nations Greatness.


As the wind playing over the surface Of the lake
now gently rippies it's waters. lashes them into
mighty pillows unseen force sweeping over the
tide Of human society gently elevates its tone.
swaps it to and fro with violent energy.
But what is this wonderful unseen force that so
vitality rules the social world? Is it character
that which apart from the human soul embraces all
that is highest and best in
Character is neither acquisition of the intellect
individual quality of the heart: rather is it
the total of all the virtues and defects which
stitute personality.
But though character embraces all the individual
qualities there which stamp it with deeper
impress than others and these by their preeinenCe
characterize the individual noble the reverse
What we recognize truly noble character is one
marked by kindness, truth. frmness and sincerity
but when marked by vacilation descending and in
sincerity then DO we style the possessor weak and
ignobe.
Some characters there are like clay i'm the pottes
hand-pliant and impressionabe. ever ready to take
the stamp of the life around them; others like
marble firm and infexibe, yet capable of being chs
eled into exquisite images or nisshapen forms
But who the moulders and sculptors Of human
character? Woman is undoubtedly the artist who gives
the first shapngs to the plant material of infancy
often too. hers is the task give beautiful
ishng touches to the infexibe material of manhood
AS wonans faith. tenderness and Iargeness of heart
emnently fit her to be the purifier. refner and up
litter of society her strong abiding trust inspires
confidence in young hearts; her love ntensifes and
ner TACT intuition IOreSee5
and overeopes the obstacles in the way of character
building while her noble self sacrifice crowns her deli
cate work with ideal results.
To no stranger hand will the true mother entrust
the sacred duty of shaping her childrens character
Her life work is grander far than that the artist
for she is moulding and perfectng after the image
divine; it far excels that of the musician for she
drawing forth the underlying harmones of human
soul Well may woman be styled the heart Of hu-
mainly" since it is her grace and sympathy that
draw out the feelings which mainly determine char
acta=
Man. too, plays small part in the carving OF
character. His natural strength courage and firm
ness enable him TO give those stronger strokes and
to chsel out the deeper traits which form beings OF
heroic mould
How various the ways in which character re-
veals itself The face. the voice. the walk even the
poise OF the head, bespeak the underlying spirit but
in no way does character manifest itself so clearly
in action TITS action clothes with an immor-
tally either loathesome or glorious
AS society is based upon the mutual intercourse OF
human beings. each in his own sphere Of action is
destined to have share in the upbuildng of the So
cial fabric With this duty in mind should we net
forge our own characters with so that they
become solid monuments of noble traits for vain
would we 1mDart that which do not possess.
AS personal worth is gagged by character so the
test of a nations worth depends not upon wealth
extent of territory. though these may awaken pride
not upon power, though this may call forth respect
nor does it depend upon the genius of its children
though their brilliant gifts may challenge admiration
No, not upon any of these do the real strength and
true glory of nation depend but upon the character
of its people Every nation points with audabe pride
to its representatives of exalted character England
glorles IN a fearless More; Ireland in a grand OCon-
nell; Scotland, in indeaized Wallace and America
In noble Washington. 1t is of like stamp whose
noble deeds. lofty thoughts vital actions have
made the deepest impress upon their country.
these rather than the great geniuses of country,
whose memories are enshrined in the hearts OF its
people
When these noble characters are refined by intel
lectual development and upted by religions sacred
power they shape the destines of the race and Fe-
come the oeacons of true human progress for charac
ter, and character alone, is the touchstone of ma
uohs greatness. CLARA O'CONNELLs %
Sacred Heart Academy Ogden Utah.