Notes

NOTES. Happy is he who knows how to forget that which cannot be helped- If you have an idea, and you are sure it is a good one, don't aim to use it too long. Fire, and fire quick. "Fortune, men say, doth give too much to many. But yet she never gave enough to any." Patience, wisdom and time, make the impossible possible. — Pierre Kraus. If you feel that you must say something unpleasant, say it; if you would say something pleasant, write it. Nothing is so mean as a mean letter, because it gives your opponent no chance for defense at the only time defense is a satisfaction — at once. To preserve one's self good and pure amidst evil surroundings is to attain a moral character; to be preserved from evil character by seclusion is to remain innocent, it is true, but is not at all to gain a moral character. "A nation," said John Milton, "ought to be as one huge Christian personage, one mighty growth or stature of an honest man, as big and compact in virtue as in body; for look, what the ground and causes are of happiness to one man, the same ye shall find them to a whole state." There are many people who will oppose a man seeking for any end just because they know him. They don't care about a total stranger gaining the thing desired; but they cannot bear any one they know should reach it. They cannot make up their mind to that. You be broader in your views than one of these. Would you have your children profit by your life? Then remember the truth expressed by Andrew Boyd : "It is utterly impossible to bring all men up to a rope stretched across the course, and make all start fair. If a man be a drunken blackguard, or a heartless fool, his children must

950 IMPROVEMENT ERA. suffer for it, must start at a disadvantage. No human power can prevent that. And on the other hand, if a man be industrious and able, and rise to great eminence, his children gain by all this." Habits are formed by the repetition of certain acts. People have such an easy way of falling into customs that before they are aware, a habit is formed which it is difficult to free themselves from. Habit, therefore, may be termed second nature. Habits will add to either one's happiness or discomfort. Impure and degrading habits are easily formed; hence, the need of cultivating good moral habits which will comfort and bless through life. They should be formed in youth when lasting impressions are made. Good spiritual habits, gentleness of character, a generous disposition, an agreeable and open-hearted soul, evenness of temper, a desire to work for the good and salvation of our fellows — these are habits that a young man should learn by severe training; and once they are impressed, they will render his life one round of happiness.— Benj. F. Blaylock, Jr., Australia. Getting on in the world means one thing to some and another to others. There is success that cannot be counted in dollars. It is often sweeter and less wearisome than the worldly success which brings fever and toil and suspense. To gain success, let each man humbly do his duty, and leave the issue with God. The advice of Andrew Kennedy Boyd is worth remembering: "Let us trust in God, my friend, and do right, and we shall get on as much as he thinks good for us. And it is not the greatest thing to get on — I mean to get on in matters that begin and end upon this world. There is a progress in which we are sure of success if we earnestly aim at it, which is the best getting on of all. Let us "grow in grace." Let us try, by God's aid, to grow better, kinder, humbler, more patient, more earnest to do good to all. If the germ of the better life be implanted in us by the blessed Spirit, and tended by him day by day: if we trust our Savior and love our God, then our whole existence, here and hereafter, will be a glorious progress from good to better. We shall always be getting on."