The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-01-30
the life of each it must, in all justice,
be conceded that vast difference ex-


the life of each it must, in all justice,
be conceded that vast difference ex-
listed in their moral concepts, as the
work Of each most clearly demon
strates. While NapoleOh's ideal was
never appreciably raised above sordid
self, that of Caesars, cast as it was in
an egotistical mould, threw many benef-
icent reflections upon the Roman peO-
pie thus showing much purity and in
tegrity of purpose. How altogether
different must have been the ideals of
Washington and LincoIn! Two great
souls! Ambitious withal, but whose
ambition considered not self but sacri-
iced personal gain that their country
might garner righteous rewards, re-
ceivs blessings that can come only
from ali undefiled source. Such ideals
as theirs can be embodied only in the
purest hearts the most exalted minds.
Man was not created alone. Neither
can he live alone. Love of q univer-
sal brotherhood must find some lodge
ment ia his heart before true pur-
pose or All enlightened resolve can be
formed. If mans selfhood was the
center and circumference of existence
the word progress would be without
meaning; religion would be AN illusion,
love = mockery. Poets, musicians,
scientists, philosophers, divines, all'the
truly great have, to q marked degree,
recognized the fact that u good that is
not for the benefit of the entire human
family is not good at all-not even a
respectable delusi9n.
Experience teaches, at least should
teach, that we deceive ourselves more
readily and more completely than We
do, Others. This self-decept;on il
something to be guarded against; II
works more mischief to the individual
Than an avowed enemy or combinatiel
Of enemies from the outside could pos
sibIy do. We are'freqaently mistaken
in others but not near SO often as in
ourselves. A grand maxim or y frag
ment of poetry pregnant with chOics
sentiment may strongly appeal to vi
and forthwith we elect to regulate oul
STANDARD of living Ia conformity witt
its precepts and firmly convinced il
this belief we go serenely on, outrag
ing at short intervals its most sacred
import, yet superbly unconscious of th'
fact. AS IN the law of mechanics, so
too, in the law of morals action il
equal to reaction and in the contrar!
direction. In the same manner i
ideals are curtailed by limitation
which prohibit the unfoldment o
mans best capabilities and permit hin
to err, not only against himself bet al
SO others, the reaction that makes TO
the worse is inevitable.
In that trinity Of eminent virtues ",
are told that the greatest of these
charity. He who is destitute of chari
ty (of course in the higher and bette
sense) is y greater foe to the human
family and more to be feared than /
the highwayman-if he has no othe
faults. The latter will go out, pei
chance fortnightly, and rob someOn
of q few paltry dollars-trash, right
considered. The former may not d
that, but he will do something wors,
! he will rob, not only few but, every
. one with whom he comes in contac
, of mental and moral treasures ia
, more priceless than gold.
ii Conceive of and place before you
, high ideal and live up to it for just on
day-not once judging, cOndemninl
!, or finding fault with anybody, susp
cious of no evil, free from malice, eI
!. w, hate, with charitable dispositio
: toward all and your heart full of tt
milk of human kindness-and 20
. will have fulfilled the law of love an
!. experienced the most joyous day (
4 your life. PAUL.