Year: 1869




Stability Of Character.


In these days of rapid motion, of ac.
tivity, ambition and enthusiasm, when
all are eagerly pressing forward to
something beyond, or pushing upward
to something higher, the merit Of sta
bility is apt to be undervalued. How.
ever rapid his motion, the horse is less
valuable if he will not stand without be.
ing tied but we do not sufficiently ap.
preclate the same virtue in a man.
Many persons stand still from the force
of outward circumstances, or from fear
OF the opinions Of others, or from a
lethargic spirit in themselves when
perhaps their duty is to break loose
from such bonds, and to press on in
the path before them. True stability of
character is ever consistent with the
best progress and the most energetic
activity. 1t consists in holding fast to
true principles and duties, which are
known by the force of inward convic-
ton, and thorough loyalty to consci-
ence. All wise travellers know that to
obtain complete impressions of foreign
countries, whether Of the scenery or
works of art, or the customs and char
acter Of the people, it is necessary not
only to visit them, but having done
this to leisurely view what they have
come to see. He who rushes rapidly
from one city to another and makes the
tour Of Europe in a few weeks, cannot
bring away with him deep impressions,
and he returns almost as unintormed as
he went. In order to receive truth in
to the mind, it is necessary to consider
it in all its bearings.


All progress is founded on this stabil-
ity OF mind. 1t is not a passive con-
servatism, but an active olinging to
what we know and have proved to be
good and worthy Of support. In the
physical act Of standing, we use actual
will and energy to hold ourselves up
right; and as this is always essential to
the act of walking, so in all mental or
moral progress we must stand solidly
on some firm basis of truth, or we can
mot advance, Much that is erroneous
or useless must be dropped as we 90 on
in life, but there are great mental con-
victions which true advancement
strengthens and deepens. Such are
ideas of justice, truth, freedom, love
and Immortality, to which, if we cling
not persistently and firmly, we can no
more improve than could the plant
which should repudiate its native soil.
Change is often necessary; but it, Of
itself, is not progress. Clear convic-
tions about them, firmly held, are the
only safeguards that we can have that
the changes made are wise.


Stability is equally important in the
practical duties of life. He who is firm
est in his convictions of truth will most
truly perform every duty; for he will
then be using his energies for a higher
purpose than mere success. We hon.
or the heroes who stand firm on the
battlefield, though they know it is in
vain, even more than we applaud those
who share the triumph of victory. He
who works only for success is crushed
by disaster, and when that for which
he has labored sinks from his view, he
has nothing left but despair; but he who
has willingly entered into the service
of duty, standing firm in his convic-
tons, and faithful to the right, will
never quail before any storms. Disap-
pointment and failure, however bitter,
cannot rob him of the hope, and even
joy, that spring from higher source
than the most triumphant successes.
Such stability, also, is the secret Of all
true affection A jealous, captious, Or
exacting love, is but another form Of
selfshness, and soon decays, but that
love which is founded on the noble,
generous and excellent qualities of its
object, and is firm and untiring in its
real efforts to serve and benefit, will be
permanent and enduring, though sepa-
aratlon or death itself should intervene.
The highest life of which we are capa-
BILE can be developed best by learning
to be steadlast to principle. Deeply
rooted in that, we need never fear the
most perfect freedom of action, and
while prosperity may elate, and adver-
sity depress, yet happiness higher
than the one, and deeper than the other
will take possession of the heart that is
fixed on truth and duty, and joy that
could come from no material success
will be the final reward.