The mirror., 1915-11-11
Established 1882
THE ATTRIBUTES
OF COURAGE
The Strength Of Character That can be
Developed BY the Cultivation Of
Patience, Fortitude fngaIity, and
CheerfuInsss. Ably Presented by the
Following Article.
Reformatory Press Huntington Pa.

hy0Tm0t0Ty FTess HUntsngt0n T0.
Courage is one of those high
qualities that include and shade off
into other fine qualities. II is the
outward sign and symbol of hope,
self f-reliance, singleness of motive.
lofty purpose, purity of heart, or
clarity of mental and moral vision.
Thus it may spring from some glow
ing motive ideal 80 luminous
that il sheds radiance of security
around itself, as. attended by its
splendid vision, it goes bravely on
it's quest. There is a courage that
has it's fountain light in trans
parent sincerity of life-a resplen-
dent courage, robed in the beauty
of holiness, a courage that can say
of itself with Sir Galahad:
MY strength is as the strength
of ten,
For my heart is pure"
Then there is a high-hearted
courage that comes of a spirit of
daring; it's eager gaze is ever drawn
to the beckoning allurement of the
horizon; it is forever lured by the
romance of what lies beyond the
hills. If l could 90 beyond the
pearl-misted gates of morning or
the gold barred amethyst of sunset,
it tells itself it should find there
wealth and sunshine and happiness.
1t is the courage that leads to the
exploration and colonization of new
countries, to heroism on the battle
field, to the building of great bridges
or sky-engulfing edifices or mighty
ocean liners-it is in fine, that
divine unrest, that old stinging long
ing of humanity that makes all high
achievement"
1t is too often this last quality of
courage we think of. The word is
too likely to suggest a kind of cour-
age that belongs to war rather than
to peace-a corseleted and gloved
courage, riding like the Immortal Six
Hundred into the breach of death
the valiant courage that recks little
ofdanger when some deed of renown
may be accomplished. But there is
also a courage ofpeace as high and
unselfsh as this. 1t is not of less
worth in that il goes modestly on
it's way, and is scarcely known as
courage. Though itmay be obscure.
it is none the less heroic. 1t has
no shining deeds emblazoned on its
escutcheon; yet, for those who have
eyes to see, it is illumined with an
inner halo of beauty and truth
transcending any luster of outward
accomplishment. 1t may consist in
doing unfalteringly the tasks that
seem humble and perhaps unavail-
ing-in strengthening weak hands;
in giving song in the night to those
under the shadow of some grief or
disappointment; in saying words of
good cheer to those whose burdens
are heavy. 1t may consist in refus-
ing to admire that which is not ad-
mirable or in espousing the cause OF
right and justice when it is reviled.
1t is the tranquil courage that does
it's whole duty smilingly. and SC
makes the little garden of life thai
it cultivates pleasant of view to al
who rass it. 1t is that wise cour.
age that dares desert a good for 8
higher good, and that good in turr
for the highest good. Unafraid ot
self-criticism, it does not finch from
the criticism of others. 1t acts from
lofty motives from within rather
than from impulses from without
and is too knightly to make the weak
ness and lapses of others an excuse
for it's own wrong-doing. 1t ha,
little in common with that refined
cloistered virtue that lives delicately