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Show . . i i best legacy we leave behind us when dead. It survives when we are no more; it endures when our bodies and the marbles which cover them have ciumbled into dust. . How can we obtain it? What means will secure it to us with the free consent con-sent of mankind and the acknowledged acknowl-edged suffrages of the world? It is won by virtue, by skill, by industry, by patience and perseverence, and by humble and consistent trust and confidence in a high and over-ruling Power. It is lost by folly, by ignorance, ignor-ance, by ignominy and crime. "That good name, which is to be chosen rather than r great riches, does not . depend on the shifting wind of popular opinion . It consists con-sists in a fair and unsullied reputation reputa-tion a reputation formed under the c influence of virtuous principles, and awarded to us, not by the ignorant and vicious,' but by the intelligent and the good. ''It is ever to be kept in mind that a good name is in all cases the fruit of personal exertion. ... It is not in-; herited from parents: k it is not ere- ated by external advantages. It is no necessary appendage of birth or wealtlCor talent; tr station, but WtT: result of one's , own , e.ndeavors, the fruit and reward of good principles manifested in a course of virtuous and honorable actions. Hence the attainment of a good name, however how-ever humble the station, is within the reacli of all; you are only to fix ; your eye on the prize and press toward to-ward it in a course of virtuous and useful conduct, and it is yours. The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. A fair reputation, it should be remembered, is a plant delicate in its growth. It will not shoot up in a night, like the gourd that shel tered the prophet's head, but, like that gourd, it may perish in a night. A name which ; it has cost, many years to establish is often destroyed in a single hour; a good name, like a good will, is gained by many actions,' ac-tions,' but lost by one! One of the most essential elements of a name is the possession of good moral principles. princi-ples. Such principles fill the soul with the noblest views, and purest sentiments, and direct all the energies, ener-gies, desires and purposes to their proper use and end. . Though a good name is won only by a life of constant activity and exertion by self-denial and an ; outflow of charity, char-ity, yet its rewards are great and to fail of its possession is to be without the best thing on earth. A Good Hamo., rroin The Bearer County New.. ' The following article was read in the Mutual Guide at the Y. P. conjoint con-joint session held on Sunday evening, even-ing, Dec, 6; It, is from the pen of Miss Vina; White, and we recommend recom-mend the perusal of: the same by our young folks, both male and female: fe-male: "A good name is the richest possession pos-session we have while living the tection against suspicion and evil reports. A man of bad or doubtful character is suspected of a thousand acts of which he may not be guilty. While a good name will secure for you the esteem, and confidence of your felbw men, how will in increase in-crease your capacity and extend the sphere of your usefulness? Who are the men whose friendship is most extensively sought in the country? Couiiiiuvd oa laat pg. Continued from first p-pe. Are they not men of principle men of known worth and established reputation? rep-utation? A good name draws round its possessor warm friends, and opens for .him a sure ahd easy way ' to wealth, .to honor and happiness. While to the reverse if will expose you to a thousand painful suspicions and blasting reports; it will deprive you of all self-respect and peace of mind; it will exclude you from the confidence and esteem of your fellow-men, and bring upon you their neglect . and contempt; it will cut you off from all means of usefulness, use-fulness, and degrade you to a cipher in society. A good name is thus a protection against suspicion and evil reports; it is the source of the purest and most lasting enjoyment with the welfare of society, with the temporal and ' eternal happiness of thousands." |