How does a man become so great that malice and envy and utter hatred cannot by their constant stings infect his blood?  How can a man silently amass a capital of virtuous renown which, when the clear vision of adversity is given to the people, will show with unerring certainty his assets and liabilities of character?  It is hard to say.  Accidents and circumstances so surround us all that we are the clay, baked either in fair moulds or foul.  When the mould is made we have the least judgment; yet when the clay is baked we must abide.

Josh Billings has said that, “after the age of forty, a man cannot form new habits; the best he can do is to learn to steer the old ones.”  Yoke, therefore, the ox you call Firmness with the one you call Contentment.  When you come to drive them down the road the neighbors may laugh at the hawing and jeeing, and jee-hawing, but keep on until you break your oxen in.  No man ever got so he could handle that team but had

A HIGH STANDING ON THE ROAD OF LIFE.

Never discuss other folks’ affairs except with the common-sense view of doing the folks good.  Never start out to do a thing which is impossible of execution.  Never start back after you have started out.  Never pay the slightest attention to the criticism of persons who are trying to do what you are trying to do.  When he who has ever done you a kindness gets angry and addresses you angrily, ponder on every word he says.  Pearls then drop from his mouth.  Live in no great regard of the passing fashion; it may be a very foolish one, and people who are foolish have a surprising power of perception in pointing to folly in others.  Owe no man other than your good office.  Have no pride above your fellow mortal; he is essentially like you.

THE BAG OF THINGS

in which ye are alike (if each thing were a grain of wheat) would freight a ship; the things in which you are better than he could be put into your vest-pocket.  Gold does not tarnish, and good names do not soil easily, though herein custom has something to do with the affair.  “The soul’s calm sunshine” however, should spread abroad.  It often reflects hidden beauty in other faces.  “Be just, and fear not.”  You may stand apparently without honor when you have it most.  If you are the man of good name in your community, you are on the high hill where your people will gather in time of need, as did the ancients to the rocky acropolis.

WORSHIP.

     Those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide,
     He wales a portion with judicious care;
     And “Let us worship God,” he says, with solemn air.—­Burns.