Year: 1859

almost universal rule, that no man evel
lived, what may be called successful
life without maintaining proper degre,
of self-respect. This feeling not only af
fects the conduct of the individual him
self, but by sympathy reacts upon al
within the sphere of its influence, and
carries with it power that is felt by al
around. 1t may be true that many have
gained position and power who have beer
bad in character and deeds; who have
used their opportunities only to work out
their own selfish ends, and by the evi
example of their lives spread mischief
and ruin. But on the other hand, it will
be found that they have at the same timc
been despised and hated by the very crea-
lures who fawned at their feet and aided
them in their corrupt practices, aud who
also at the first breath Of misfortune or
adversely have been among the foremost
to turn against them. Selt-respect i'm
plies rectitude Of purpose; for unless we
can suppose the mind to be so perverted
as to put evil in the place of good, we
cannot conceive of any other course Of
action being approved blythe conscience
and by this we understand that faculty
which tells Us whether what we do is
right or wrong, however so little we may
heed its voice-than what is according
to truth and justice.


From these premises it will be seen
that selfrespect is to be cultivated in no
particular walk of life, and that no rank
or position is deficient in opportunities
for maintaining it. la the merchant it
preserves him from tricks in trade from
being false to his pccuniary promises J;
and places him at last among that class
whose word is like their bond. Ih the
professional man it detcrs him from in
trigQing and questionable practices to
gain business at the expense of his com
peers, aud generally tends to elevate the
whole bod dy of which be may be a mem
Der, in the eyes of the community. For
communities, like individuals, arc prone
to take the estimate which each man has
Of himself as the true one aud in spite of
exceptions, there is much truth in the
saying, that a man is the best Judge of
what he really is worth. And whether
lawyer, physician, or divine, just SO sure
ly as the world became convinced that
man has no respect for himself, just so
surely will they treat him to the same
measure Of consideration.


To the politician, also, it is no less wor-
thy Of consideration, although, rs affairs
now 30 on, brawlins aud rant seem to
have taken the place Of that digiied cour-
tesy Of demeanor and statcsmanship,
which formerly marked the representa-
tlves of the people ia the halls OF lcgsla-
tlon. Indeed. as DO position is more
susceptible OF influences which operate to
sway the mind from course of rcctl-
tude, aud to dull the moral sense. 81 no.
where is there more need of this very
virtue 1t Is like a talisman to ward off
the shafts which envy or malice are al
ways on the alert to hurl at those who
are elevated a little above the ordinary
level, aud is the best coat Of mail which
can be put on.


Nor is it out Of place in the humblest
individual. Il Is the most effeetual safe
guard against that ovorbearing and inso-
lent department which too often charac-
terizes the conduct of the employer to-
ward those in his employ, and which too
frequently is marked by oppression and
abuse, BY maintaining it, the highest
in rank is made still moro noble, and the
lowest raised above his mere social posi-
ton. 1t elevates all who adhere to its
promptlngs, and not only brings home a
rich harvest during life, but it assures
what is even more to be desired than
that, namely--a good aud worthily cher
,shed name long after its possessor has
passed from the earth.--Boston Trans
crtpt