Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-01-12

fioPS springs eternal, and the
birth of the New Year is fitting &C.
casion for the revival of the pristine
desires and aspirations of the soul of
man towards better things. Taking
stock. We may realize to what degree
and in what particular we have al.
lowed ourselves to be overcome by
iorgetfulness Of our true nature-oi
that imperial palace whence we came"
Such realization impels sensible cor.
rections-the getting rid OF unprofit-
able stock and its replacing with
really valuable assets.
W are all bundles Of habits. As we
SOW in thought, We reap in action.
Actions repeated become habits. The
sum Of habits makes character and the
sowing of character means the harvest
ing of destiny. II is all very fine to
tax about ringing out the old and
ringing in the new; ringing out the
thousand wars of old and ringing in the
thousand years of peace. But talking
about il is not enough. All the con-
ferences and conventions in the world
will not brin gpeace between the nations
until there is peace between man and
man. And for the peace between man
and man, and its blessedness and pow
er, its health and beauty, each man
must first become at peace with him-
self.
To be at peace with oneself is to
have conscience void of offense
against God or man. That is a mega
tive putting. II means more than
this. Virtue and virility are two
words that come from the same root.
There is only one way to root out"
wrong mental attitudes; and the bad
habits that flow from such attitudes:
and that is by substituting right mental
attitudes. Don't be a crouch" is ad-
vice which our modern psychology
proves may only emphasize grouchi-
ness. Be cheerful, and grouchiness
will disappear. Let us make work
"the workers expression Of Joy in his
work" Then dleness and apathy and
indigestion and gloom will vanish.
Let us become more interested in Civ
ing than in getting, and we shall get
rid Of the lusts that war in our men,
bers, the source Of call our wars and
fghting." What is more, we shall be
healthier and happier and radiate
health and happiness to all around US.
Anger does not pay. 1t poisons the
blood and congests the nerves and
brain. Quarreling is the most fool
ish and runous habit in which other
wise sane men can indulge. II we
would eliminate the causes Of wars be-
tween nations, we must-each man
with himself-begin by eliminating
the causes for quarrels between indi-
viduals. II We genuinely desire to
help bring about permanent world
peace, and with peace, prosperity and
progress, we shall heed the Delphian
oracle; "Man, know thyself" We
shall look within. The aid that any
single individual may contribute to-
ward the grand work Of the regener-
alton and redemption Of the race may
seem inRmesimal. In reality, it is
infinite; for the race is made up Of in
dividuals and there is no estimating
the influence Of man on man.
As the year 1922 is ushered in, a
very large number Of men honestly
and sincerely feel that humanity is
on the brink Of chaos and calamity
without precedent. Most Of the preach
ers and publicists on either side Of the
Atlantic are veritable Jeremiahs. They
proclaim with a dismal wall that the
nations are rushing headlong iRto bank
ruptcy and "the next war" which
shall shatter what is left Of civiliza-
ton. On the other hand, there are
here and there illumined souls VIM
hold steadfastly to the faith (which
Is the evidence Of things unseen) that
humanity is on the eve OF glorious
renaissance Of prductiveness and
wealth, beauty and JOY in life, based
on new and vigorous practice Of the
gospel Of the square deal to al.
But it is not enough to wish for the
coming Of the new day. We must
work for teach starting with him