Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-07-01

BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY.

BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY.
Examples of Human Virtue That Have
made the World Setter.
[Under this heading from time to
time will be published q series OF au-
thenticated extracts dealing with his
loricai examples Of the good and bad
IN human nature, mostly good; but all
furnishing an admirable chart OF con-
DUCT to be emulated or avoided:
KING.
Sentiments.
Persist in the religion you have
received from your forefathers, but
be assured, that the most grateful
alteration and sacrifice that you can
offer to the Divinity, Is that Of the
.,oarr, IN rending yourself good and
just. snow upon all occasions so high
a regard for truth that a single word
from you may be more confided In
than the oath Of others. Be warrior
by your ability in military affairs,
and by such a warlike provision, as
may intimidate your enemies; but
let your inclination be pacific, and
be rightly exact in never prtending
to, or undertaking anything unjust.
The only certain proof that you have
reigned well, will be the power of
bearing this testimony to yourself,
that your people are become both
more happy and more wise under
your government t."-Isoc. ad Nicoc.
Princes seldom form to themselves
right judgment Of true duties
essential to regal power. The Scripture
gives us full idea OF them, and this
1t does in a beautiful manner, (Dan.
chap. iv.) under the image Of a very
large and strong tree, whose top
reaches to the heaven and whose
branches extend to the extremities
of the earth. AS its foliage is very
abundant, and 1t is bowed down with
fruit, it constitutes the ornament
and felicity of the plains around it.
It supplies a grateful shade and a
secure retreat to beasts of every kind;
animals, both wild and tame. are
safely lodged under its hospitable
branches, the birds Of heaven dwell
in the boughs Of 1t, and it supplies
food to all living creatures. Ft
Can there be a more just or more
instructive idea Of the kingly office,
whose true grandeur and solid glory
does not consist in that spiendour,
pomp and magnificence which sur
round it, nor in that reverence and
exterior homage which are paid to 1t
by subjects; but in the real services
and solid advantages 1t procures to
nations, whose support, defence,
security. and asylum 1t forms both
from its nature and institution, at
the same time that 1t is the fruitful
source of terrestrial blessings Of every
kind, especially with regard to the
poor and weak, who ought to find
beneath the shade and protection Of
royalty, a sweet peace and tran
guilty not to b interrupted or
disturbed; whilst the monarch himself
sacrifices from which he shelters
others.
II the care Of single family be
burdensome; II a man has enough
to do to answer for himself, what a
weight, what load is the charge Of
a whole realm? Is the sovereign re-
compensed for all his fatigues and
cares by the prostrations of courtiers
or the imaginary pleasures Of kingly
power? When I think Of the painful
and hazardous paths he is forced to
tread to arrive at public tranquility;
when I reflect on the extremities
he is frequently pushed to, in order
to accomplish, perhaps, good end;
that he is accountable to God himself
for the welfare, If not the morality.
Of his people,; that good and evil are
in his hands; and that ignorance is
no excuse for mal-administration; I
cannot forbear putting these questions
to myself: Would you reign? Ought
a man, but merely happy in a private
condition, to quit for a throne" Must
1t not be insupportable to be born a
monarch?
Examples.
Cyrus, king Of Persia, may be
justly considered as one Of the wisest
conquerors and most accomplished
princes to be found in profane history.
He was possessed Of all the qualities
requisite to form a great !a.au, wisd Jm,
noble sentiments, a wonderful ability
in managing mems tempers, and
gaining their affections, a thorough
military art as far as that age had
carried 1t, a vast extent Of genius and
capacity for forming, and an equal
steadiness and prudence for exc
cutting the greatest projects. 1t is very
common for those heroes who shine
in the field and make a figure in the
time Of action, to make but a very
poor one upon other occasions, and in
matters of different nature. We are
astonished to see them alone, and
their armies; to find what difference
there is between a general and a great
man; to see what low sentiments and
mean things they are capable Of in
private life; how they are influenced
by jealousy, and governed by interest;
how disagreeable and odious they rem
der themselves by their naughty de-
pertinent and arrogance, which they
think necessary to preserve their au-
thority, and which only serves to
make them hated and despised.
Cyrus had none Of these defects: he
appeared always the same, that is, al
ways great, even in the most indif-
ferent matters. Being assured Of his
greatness, Of which real merit was
the foundation and support, he thought
of nothing more than to render him
self affable, and easy Of access, and
whatever he seemed to lose by his
consideration WAS abundantly COM