then, we would have our character good, we must carefully attend to all our little individual acts, and see that they are right. "Our acts our angels are, or good or ill; A man's or a boy's character is the most important possession he can call his own; it is indeed himself. We cannot separate the idea of a man from the idea of his character; and, if one would be good, and be respected and loved, he must begin young to act rightly in all respects. A Our character is, in a great measure, what we ourselves make it, yet it is very much affected by the influences that others exert upon us. mother's kiss, in token of some little pencil sketch, is believed by Benjamin West to have given the turn to his character. That mother's kiss, he observes, made me a painter. The duty of reciprocity, in regard to the character of others, is, that we do not, in any way, lead them into bad habits, or induce them to do anything which will be injurious to their character. 1. We violate this duty, when we set a bad example to others. Parents do this, when they What, then, must we do if we would have our character good? What couplet is quotea What is said of the importance of character? What if we would be loved and respected? On whom does the character of a person chiefly depend? By what is it very much affected? Illustration? What is the duty of reciprocity in regard to the character of others? First way mentioned in which we violate this duty? are irritable or impatient with their children, or when they speak ill of others in their presence; their children learn from them to be ill-tempered, and whatever the parent does that is wrong, the Ichild will do also. When a scholar refuses to write a composition, or speaks disrespectfully of his teacher, or treats with ridicule a new scholar who is perhaps ignorant and awkward, he injures the character of many others, by leading them to do the same. 2. We injure the character of others, if we try to have them do what they think is wrong, or lead them, in any way, to think wrong is right; this is done when one child says to another, it is no matter if he does not go home as soon as his mother desired him to; no matter if he does deceive his teacher; and no matter if he uses impure or profane language. 3. Those who write or publish bad books, or sell, lend, or exhibit pictures that have a bad effect, are guilty of injuring the character of others. Circulating libraries which contain very little besides wild and foolish romances, do much harm to the young. The same may be said of a great deal of the "cheap literature" which is so profusely scattered over our country. 4. He who sells intoxicating drinks, or offers the glass to his companions, helps to form a habit which is ruinous to all the best interests of When do parents do this? Scholars? Second way mentioned in which we violate this duty? How illustrated? Third? What is said about circulating libraries? " Cheap literature"? Fourth? man. The same is true in regard to those who lead others to gamble. 5. He who lends money to another for a wicked use, or who hires another to commit a crime, is guilty of corrupting that person's char acter. 6. We may injure the character of others by giving them false ideas; as when one is led to believe that honor requires him to fight a duel; that glory is to be gained only by warlike exploits; that bravery requires him needlessly to expose his life; or that patriotism obliges him to support his country, "right or wrong.' Children receive wrong ideas from having little swords, pistols and other warlike toys, given them, and from being permitted to equip themselves in the attractive garb of soldiers, 7. The last means of injuring the character of others which will be mentioned is, presenting to them improper motives of action. We do this, when we say to one, Do not tell that person what you think, because he will not like you; Try to learn all you can, so as to be a distinguished person in the world; Be industrious and economical, that you may become a rich man; and, Give your money for benevolent purposes, that the world may think well of you. Fifth way mentioned in which we violate this duty? Sixth? What way mentioned in which children receive wrong ideas? Seventh? Instances in which this is done? CHAPTER V. SLANDER. "Then gently scan your brother man, SLANDER consists in maliciously uttering anything injurious to the reputation of another. By reputation is meant the opinions that others form of us, and the esteem in which we are held. A good reputation is of more value to us than money; it is, indeed, our truest wealth; and he who injures us in the opinion of others does us a far greater wrong than if he robbed us of our property. "Good name, in man or woman, Is the immediate jewel of their souls; Who steals my purse, steals trash; 't is something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 't is his, and has been slave to thousands: But he who filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, Every one is justly entitled to the esteem which others have for him, on account of anything worthy in his character. Even if one has a better reputation than he deserves, we have no right to lessen it, unless it is necessary in order to do justice to ourselves or to others. Subject of Chapter V.? Motto? In what does slander consist? What is meant by reputation? What is said of a good reputation? Repeat the lines about good name. To what is every one entitled? What if one has a better reputation than he deserves? Our rule of duty in regard to the reputation of others is, that we do not utter anything injurious to them, except for a good purpose. It requires us to have the same desire that every one should enjoy the esteem in which he is held by others, that we have to enjoy it ourselves. The express command of Scripture is: "Speak evil of no man." "Either say nothing of the absent, or speak as a friend," is a good old maxim of the same import. 1. We violate this law, by telling what is true of others, when there is no good cause for it. If a scholar reports out of school the bad conduct and punishment of another in school, he disobeys this rule of duty. If he sees a scholar do anything which he thinks ought to be known, he may tell his teacher; but if he is glad of the chance to complain of his school-fellow, or does it to injure him, it is wrong. 2. We ought not to judge others, or unnecessarily assign bad motives to their actions. Jesus Christ says: "Judge not, that ye be not judged.” A kind heart "thinketh no evil.” 3. We ought not to ridicule or mimic persons, or make them the subject of laughter or contempt in any way, because this lessens them in the estimation of others. It is not a sufficient excuse to say, "it is only for fun," and we mean Rule of duty in regard to the reputation of others? What does it require? Command of Scripture in regard to this subject? What old maxim? When do we violate the law of duty in regard to reputation? How illustrated by the scholar? What exception? What is said of judging others? Of ridicule and mimicry? What is not a good ex cuse for it? |