But to make a broader application of the aphorism of the sage quoted above, and to make still clearer the true value of character from historical illustration, set opposite the names of the four men who were proposed as its worthy exponents, those of other men similarly gifted or favored, but of quite different character. And it might add interest to the contrast, and render clearer the lesson of the illustration, if, antithetic to each, another of the same nationality were named. Who could then be more fittingly selected than Bacon the Englishman, for intellectual brilliancy, Crassus the Roman, for affluence, Aaron Burr the American, for high station, and Themistocles the Athenian, for popular favor? Why does not the talented Bacon shine by the side of the "grand old man" of these later days? Why must he forever occupy a lower pedestal? The answer may be found in the historical stamp that he bears and must ever bear. The characterization of Pope that is inseparably connected with his name will bear evidence to the latest generation of the fatal defect in his character. "If parts allure thee, see how Bacon shined, The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind." Would any discreet young man ask for the nobility of Bacon's intellect if it must be accompanied with the curse of his character? If wealth constituted character as it does create social respectability, the Roman Dives and usurer would rank with the philosopher Seneca, and a nearly contemporaneous barber would outrank even him. But the wisdom and stability of the Roman sage, the beauty and moral elevation of whose sentiments are worthy to be compared with the precepts of the great letter writer of the New Testament, give him unquestioned claim to an honorable immortality, while the vulgar triumvir is remembered only for his money, his joint usurpation of power, and his unsuccessful generalship. If character were estimated by political preferment, Aaron Burr would rank next to the highest, whereas such good qualities as he did possess are powerless to save him from perpetual dishonor, and are easily forgotten in disgust at his baseness. If popular favor were the patent of this true nobility, Themistocles, immediately after the battle of Salamis, would be a famous. exponent, but instability and insincerity wrought his ruin in disgraceful but merited exile. Who would venture now to name him in the same breath with his fellow countryman Solon, or Burr with Lincoln, Crassus with Seneca, Bacon with Gladstone? And the reason for this just verdict of the popular jury is clearly manifest. The tests of prosperity are perhaps even more severe than those of adversity. Both are valuable; both operate to effect an equitable adjustment, howsoever fortuitous circumstances may have misplaced men in the shaking of the lots. The assurance, however, is gratifying, that although genius may be the gift of the favored, integrity is never exclusive and is denied to none, and while few acquire wealth or attain distinction, a spotless character more royal than any endowment or distinction - is the privilege of all. - Reputation is not Character. WHA PROF. N. L. ANDREWS, LL.D., Dean of Colgate University. HAT is reputation? Etymology answers that it is an estimate, a repeated and so an established judgment. As computation gives arithmetical values, so reputation is an estimate of human values. The word character is even more luminous in suggestion. It signified first a graving-tool for marking upon stone or metal. Next it was a mark thus made, then a symbolic or alphabetic sign, and again some distinguishing feature of an object. Most naturally, then, it has come to denote that combination of qualities and traits, both intellectual and moral, which marks a personality. Who has impressed them upon us? First of all, our ancestors. No one may deny the effect of heredity. There is a race-character, and a family-character. "If you wish to reform a man, begin with his grandfather." Environment, also, is potent. By conduct, by speech, even by look or by gesture, the people with whom we associate impress us continually. But let us not exaggerate these hereditary and external forces. The sharpest graving-tool, most constantly in use, most efficient to form character, is in our own hands. What is attributed to us makes our reputation; what we are, constitutes our character. Is not the latter obviously more important? Yet reputation has more votaries. Witness on every hand the straining to gain public attention and to make a name. But men cannot escape the world's daily testings. On some wall or other is ever appearing the handwriting, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Many are the true and good, who often, without public notice, endure [СНАРТЕК 71. ] 375 |