Influence of Good Character.

"Unless above himself he can

Erect himself, how poor a thing is manTMTM-DANIEL

"Character is moral order seen through the medium of an individual nature-Men of character are the conscience of the society to which they belong."-EMERSON.

The purest treasure mortal times afford,
Is-spotless reputation; that away,

Men are but gilded loam, or painted clay.

A jewel in a ten-times-barr'd-up chest

Is-a bold Spirit in a loyal breast.-SHAKSPEARE

2. Reputation. The two most precious things this side the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive as of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other. A wise man, therefore, will be more anxious to deserve a fair name than to possess it, and this will teach him so to live, as not to be afraid to die.

2. Character.-Character is one of the greatest motive powers in the world. In its noblest embodiments, it exem plifies human nature in its highest forms, for it exhibits man at his best.

3. The Heart That Rules in Life.-Although genius always commands admiration, character most secures respect. The former is more the product of brain power, the Latter of heart power; and in the long run it is the heart that rules in life. Men of genius stand to society in the relation of its intellect as men of character of its conscience and while the former are admired, the latter are followed.

4. The Highest Ideal of Life and Character.-Commonplace though it may appear, this doing of one's duty embodies the highest ideal of life and character. There may be nothing heroic about it; but the common lot of men is not heroic. And though the abiding sense of duty upholds man in his highest attitudes, it also equally sustains him in the transaction of the ordinary affairs of every-day exist ence. Man's life is "centered in the sphere of common duties." The most influential of all the virtues are those which are the most in request for daily use. They wear the best, and last the longest.

5. Wealth.-Wealth in the hands of men of weak pur Dose, or deficient self-control, or of ill regulated passions, is

only a temptation and a snare-the source, it may be, of infinite mischief to themselves, and often to others.

On the contrary, a condition of comparative poverty is compatible with character in its highest form. A man may possess only his industry, his frugality, his integrity, and yet stand high in the rank of true manhood. The advice which Burns' father gave him was the best:

"He bade me act a manly part, though I had ne'er a farthing,

For without an honest, manly heart no man was worth regarding."

6. Character is Property. It is the noblest of possessions. It is an estate in the general good-will and respect of men; they who invest in it-though they may not become rich in this world's goods-will find their reward in esteem and reputation fairly and honorably won. And it is right that in life good qualities should tell-that industry, virtue, and goodness should rank the highest-and that the really best men should be foremost.

7. Simple Honesty of Purpose.-This in a man goes a long way in life, if founded on a just estimate of himself and a steady obedience to the rule he knows and feels to be right. It holds a man straight, gives him strength and sustenance, and forms a mainspring of vigorous action. No man is bound to be rich or great-no, nor to be wise-but every man is bound to be honest and virtuous.

Family Government.

1. Gentleness Must Characterize Every Act of Author Ity. The storm of excitement that may make the child start, bears no relation to actual obedience. The inner firmness, that sees and feels a mora! conviction and expects obedience, is only disguised and defeated by bluster. The more calm and direct it is, the greater certainty it has of dominion.

2. For the Government of Small Children.-For the government of small children speak only in the authority of love, yet authority, loving and to be obeyed. The most important lesson to impart is obedience to authority as author ity. The question of salvation with most children will be settled as soon as they learn to obey parental authority. It establishes a habit and order of mind that is ready to accept divine authority. This precludes skepticism and disobedience, and induces that childlike trust and spir set forth as a necessary state of salvation. Children that are never made to obey are left to drift into the sea of passion where the pressure for surrender only tends to drive them at greater speed from the haven of safety.

3. Habits of Self-Denial.-Form in the child habits of self-denial. Pampering never matures good character.

4. Emphasize Integrity.-Keep the moral tissues tough in integrity; then it will hold a hook of obligations when once set in a sure place. There is nothing more vital. Shape all your experiments to preserve the integrity. Do not so reward it that it becomes mercenary. Turning state's evidence is a dangerous experiment in morals. Prevent deceit from succeeding.

5. Guard Modesty.-To be brazen is to imperil some of the best elements of character. Modesty may be strengthened into a becoming confidence, but brazen facedness can seldom be toned down into decency. It requires the miracle of grace.

6. Protect Purity.-Teach your children to loatne impurity. Study the character of their playmates. Watch their books. Keep them from corruption at all cost. The groups of youth in the school and in society, and in business places, seed with improprieties of word and thought. Never relax your vigilance along this exposed border.

7. Threaten the Least Possible.—In family government threaten the least possible. Some parents rattle off their commands with penalties so profusely that there is a steady

BOTH PUZZLED.