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Show GEMS OF THOUGHT. Adversity is the trial of principle. Stay not until you are told of opportunities to do good; inquire after them. There is no tyrant like custom, and no freedom where its edicts are not resisted. He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself. Study books to see how things ought to be; study men to know how things are. A man's virtues should be measured, not by his occasional exertions, but by the doings of his ordinary life. The worthiest men are most injured by slanders, as we usually find that to be the best fruit which the birds have been picking at. Very seldom, except in romance and melo-drama, does true love beat cunning, and simplicity make victorious way against worldly success. False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated. True happiness renders them kind and sensible, and that happiness is always shared. Our lives should be, like the days, more beautiful in the evening, or, like the spring, aglow with promise, and like autumn, rich with golden sheaves when good works and deeds have ripened in the field. When thou makest presents let them be of such things as will last long; to the end that they may be in some sort immortal, and may frequently refresh the memory of the receiver. No man can honestly ask God to deliver him from temptation, or justly expect that God will answer his prayer, who does not himself keep out of the way of temptation as far as possible. There is no better way to live healthily and happily than to cultivate a temperament wherein the most contradictory qualities and properties of the organism are perfectly counterbalanced and combined. True power is calm, self-contained, seeking not for recognition, but willing patiently to bide its time, and anxious only to meet the demands, however arduous and trying, that may be made upon it. THE DEBT OF A GOOD EXAMPLE.-We have a debt to every great heart, to every fine genius; to those who have put life and fortune on the cast of an act of justice; to those who have aided new sciences, to those who have refined life by elegant pursuits. ‘Tis the fine souls who serve us and not what is called fine society. Fine society is only a self-protection against the vulgarities of the street and tavern. DELAYS.-Steadfastly set your face against needless delays in doing any work for the good of your fellow-men or for your own edification. A dilatory spirit is one of the most delusive of all the temptations of the great destroyer. It purposes merely to postpone, perhaps for an hour or a day. It would shudder at the thought of final and utter neglect of what it thus defers. Do this every day and hour the duties which this hour and day demand. SKEPTICS.-The doubling, distrusting and unbelieving are among the most unfortunate and pitiable of all classes of people. Have faith in yourselves, in your fellows, in your home, in your religion, in everything that has capabilities for good. Deceit is a prevalent vice, and it will often grieve you; but it is vastly better to mourn over disappointment than to allow indiscriminate distrust to make you generally miserable with yourself and all about you. OF HUMBLE SUBMISSION.-Regard not much who is for thee, or who against thee, but give all thy thought and care to this, that God be with thee in everything thou doest. Have a good conscience, and God will well defend thee. For whom God will help, no malice of man shall be able to hurt. If thou canst be silent and suffer, without doubt thou shalt see that the Lord will help thee. He knoweth the time and the manner to deliver thee, and therefore thou oughtest to deliver thyself unto him. It belongeth to God to help, and to deliver from all confusion. It is often very profitable, to keep us more humble, that others know and rebuke our faults. When a man humbleth himself for his failings, then he easily pacifieth others, and quickly satisfieth those that are offended with him. God protecteth the humble and delivereth him; the humble he loveth and comforteth; unto the humble man he inclineth himself, unto the humble he giveth great grace, and after his humiliation he raiseth him to glory. Unto the humble he revealeth his secrets, and sweetly draweth and inviteth him unto himself. The humble man, though he suffer confusion, yet hath much peace; for that he resteth on God, and not on the world. Do not think that thou hast made any progress unless thou esteem thyself inferior to all. |