Year: 1879

at walking simply because he lacks the
courage to exercise an ability which he
fully possesses; and many man lets a
noble scheme and grand enterprise fall to
the ground from the same cause. Vanity
and self-conceit are such disagreeable
characteristics, and so frequently accom-
pany such an inferior grade of knowledge
and power, that in justly visiting them
with contempt and reprehension we are
disposed to forget that there may be an
opposition extreme of self-deprecation
and distrust which may paralyze efforts
and render latent power utterly useless.


There are some who never seem to be-
lieve themselves capable of anything;
they see others press forward to attempt
to achieve, and shrink back into de-
spcndent inactivity. Having no faith in
themselves, they undertake nothing, and
effect nothing. If they are convicted of
some fault or bad habit, they have so lit
tie hope of being able to cure it that
they scarcely make an effort. If some
avenue of usefulness and honor opens up


before them, they draw back, almost
sure that they should not succeed, and


decline to enter. If some duty presses


urgently upon their conscience, they try


to quiet its promptings by pleading in
ability. Thus their lives pass away in


uselessness, their faculties do net devel-
op, their characters do not improve, their
abilities are wasted, they dwindle into
insignifcance, and all this not for the
lack of power, but for the


want of confidence ana courage that
| would set that power into good. practical
working order. There arc certain


obstacles in every path that can only be


overcome by the presence Of this con-
fidence. There are outward hindrances


to encounter, opposition to meet, diff


culties to surmount, prejudices to sweep
! away, the very presence of which will


terrify and appall the wavering and des-


pondent, while they will melt away


before the firm dignity ofselt-respect and
| self-reliance. There are, ALSO, the innumer-
| able obstacles from within, inclinations


to curb, passions to restrain, desires tc
guide, temptations to resist; these also
| need not only the power to deal with
them, but confidence in that power thai


can alone make it effective.


| How then is this much-needed quality


to be acquired9 With some, doubtless


it is inborn, and as natural as the breath


they draw. It is seen in the firm step


the erect carriage, the determined eye


there is no shrinking from difficulty, but


an eagerness to cope with it; no pleading


off from duty on the ground of incapac
| ity, but full reliance on the ability t.


perform it. Sometimes, indeed, thi


may be exaggerated, and an overestimat,


of self may tinge the character with con


ceit; an extreme to be equally avoided
The evils of the extreme, however, shoult
never blind us to those of the other, ant


a true self-confdence is perfectly con


sistent with true modesty. He whoi know
his own power and believes in it will b
likely also to know its limits, and W
, usually find that the boasting and as


sumption, which is 50 offensive to goo


taste, proceeds rather from desire I
impress others with an exalted opinio
of self than from any dignity and we
f grounded self reliance.


Much may be done for the young
!, this respect. AS general thing, we al
too chary in praising and encouragin
their efforts, too free in criticising an


deprecating them. Many child's pow
ers, in various directions, are thrust bac
/ into inactivity by the cold, unappreci
, tive reception they meet with. Childre
: quickly adopt the sentiments of the
8 elders, and soon learn to put the san
value on their own powers that othe
do. The parent, the teacher, and tt
employer can easily teach lessons of sci
. depreciation which may cling throng
= life, and forever prevent the developmel
= of powers thst under more favorable a
spices might have proved blessing
f the community. Or, on the other han
I by cheerful encouragement and Who'll
t some commentator, they may nouri


many tiny germ of ability and taller


that may one day come to be nigh


influence in the world.


Constant and persevering effort is Il
8 best cure for an unhealthy self -depreci
y ton. He who thinks that he can acco1
n plish nothing, and makes no endeavt
d will soon destroy whatever abilities
n may possess; Incidence and self-disps
st agement go hand in hand and act and ]
e act, each on the other. But noble all
Y and steadfast industry will give tru
'e estimate of self and its powers, and tn
r in their turn will rapidly develop a
If improve under the sunshine of firm a
b well-grounded confidence. Activity
le the essential condition Of growth, a
It growth is the only cure toAen of life a
d power. Philadelphia Ledger.


e., --
l. Mama, where do people 60 when tn
N die?''


4 "My dear, can't tell you just where
to "But don't you know2"


he "How can know, Nellie2 Mama I
be never died."


ly "Of course not; but haven't you str