"As a man thinketh, so is he," is true of every one. If one thinks he is a fool, he will expect to act out that character. If one thinks he is wise, he will at least try to act and speak like the wise, and the very trial is not inconsiderable. An owl will not bray, and therefore a bird that tries to be an owl will imitate it; nor would a self-presumable donkey dare to take a pose and open wide his eyes with the grand air of an owl.

We never know what we are till we have tried what we can be. If we have made all reasonable trials to be something and ultimately find that we are little better than nothing, we may wisely conclude that we are something after all, else we should not know enough to feel our deficiencies. It is better to aim high, even if we fall far short of our highest mark, than not to aim at all.

"But it is so ridiculous to fail!" some one here observes. If you fail you have the satisfaction of knowing that there are multitudes who have done likewise, and even subsequently succeeded. Almost every creditable success was preceded by one or more failures of attempt. Besides, if you strive for a mountain-summit, the chances are that you will at least gain an ascent part way up the side, and that is much better than not to have ascended at all. Let no one underrate the slightest elevation above their first level, which they may have accomplished, though it measure as far beneath their hopes as the sea under the peak of Dwahalagiri. "Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn." Have you not been blessed and increased since the beginning? If you have not, the fault is your own; you have not tried to be any thing, but have hidden your gifts in the earth.

Every one upon starting in life should ask himself, "For what am I am best fitted by natural gifts?" Although our sex is not expected to accomplish so much in the world, in the popular sense, as the stronger, every woman should settle this question no less than man. Woman's sphere is evidently different, but therein are various adaptations to various uses.

Here rests the key-stone of the arch of our lives. Let each take the utmost care that she settle the right point exactly in the right place,

VOL. XX.-2

that her existence be perfect and beautiful in its span and equipoise, rather than disproportionate and finally a failure.

1. The girl at school. In every human heart are the germs of pride. In some hearts these have grown with the growth and strengthened with the strength till they have taken deep root, the fibers of which extend through all the life. When young ladies enter upon their school existence they generally carry the pride of their hearts with them, thinking-if they think at all about itthat it is indispensable in order to secure a posi tion among strangers. She finds herself one among a numerous band, perhaps, instead of the nucleus of the family circle. She misses those attentions which she has been accustomed to receive as her natural right. The equality of privilege annoys. She finds that, being here unknown, she must make an effort, or the favorite points of her identity will be totally eclipsed. Various degrees of annoyance and disquiet arise from the enforcement of general rules and the particular discipline attendant upon study and recitation. She is not at ease with her fellowpupils. One accosts her too rudely, another depreciates her, a third is totally indifferent, a fourth is unkind in word or act, or both.

Her pride of heart loses no time to prompt her to unhappiness. Perhaps she resorts to grief. Alas! she finds every one too busy with her own affairs to properly note hers, save a mere question of curiosity. Or, if she finds true sympathy in the interrogations, can she explain the reason of her sorrow? Too often it is this feeling which takes the generic term of homesickness. She resorts to isolation, but nobody misses her. She tries airs of superiority among the groups, and takes frequent occasion to impress others with her previous advantages, and receives ridicule. If she returns unkindness, she speedily loses favor with all.

She writes to her parents or friends that she finds herself in the most distasteful of all places. She is maltreated by the whole little community around her-representing certain prominent ones in the most unfavorable light for which her vocabulary can supply words. She must be taken home directly or perish. If her wishes are granted she has only added another strength to her proud will.

Multitudes have finally been ruined by early fostering this idea, that they were not rightly appreciated by others. High souls, capable of acts of the most exalted character, in a moment of proud passion, resulting from a long-continued impression of not being valued as their real merits deserved, have dashed their honor to the earth and there ground it under the heel to atoms,

till it could never be gathered again! If they had but patiently persevered in well-doing, quietly waiting for the rewards which real merit is sure to receive, sooner or later, they might have won laurels of honor to the recognition of the world. What matters it if you are not appreciated entirely in your present sphere? You may be more fortunate in your next location or in some future period. We attach too much importance to trifles and trifling scenes, when we discompose ourselves over present annoyances which battle with pride. We should contemplate the arena of higher spheres of action; look upward and onward, till our souls expand beyond the insignificant elements of our contracted sphere of present action. Or, do you fail again and again of receiving proper appreciation, you should be careful to ascertain if you are not appreciating yourself too highly. If you correctly estimated yourself perhaps you would find that you were more properly appreciated than you were inclined to think hitherto. Others have claim to awards, and distinctions, and successes, and in the becoming humility of a philosophical and truly Christian temper, you should endeavor to esteem others as better than yourself.

Do you know that the unwise are applauded and admired, that the unworthy are exalted; while those who are really far more worthy of such success are often left in the background, pitied by none, unappreciated by all! Then should you be consoled by the memory of the numerous great in all ages who have failed of recognition by the world in their lives, but after have been heirs of immortal fame. Seven cities contended for the honor of the birthplace of Homer after his death, when in life, through these same cities, he begged his bread. The King of kings, the owner of the whole earth, appeared among men in the humblest service, not having where to lay his head.

If we cultivate humility, we can endure all things and finally overcome all. Let the young lady, who finds herself in a similar position to that which has been described, school her heart to do right and await the results. Above all, should she endeavor to conquer her own pride of spirit, that in true meekness she may inherit the richest blessings. "Humility ever dwells with noble minds. It is a flower that prospers, not on poor and barren soils, but in ground that is beautiful." Having become initiated into the secret of getting on at school, so far as the securing of personal position, the temper of mind we exercise toward others, resulting from our opinion of ourselves, becomes of the utmost importance. There is no school, however select, but numbers some pupils who feel that they are, in some respects,

inferior to those about them. Sometimes it occurs that this class is very numerous. There are also leading pupils, who have either position or attainment on their side, perhaps a union of both these advantages. These should conduct toward the former, not with indifference, which selfishly confines all attentions to a certain set, not with supercilious condescension, or with an оссаsional favor, which betrays some unworthy motive, but with that benignant kindness, that sweet and gentle grace which characterize the trulygood and noble heart. How much do we admire those eminent persons who stoop from their high pinnacles of fame to extend a hand of cheer or aid toward the humbler toiler up the rugged ascent! In all positions how admirable are deeds of humble love! Then what an incitement has the young lady at school to exercise the grace of humanity toward all by whom she is surrounded, that her presence may gladden every heart, her smile brighten every eye! All are united in praise of such. A benediction from heaven ever sheds about their pathway a clear and hallowed radiance. Beatitudes of immortality await their immortal future.

2. The lady in society. "What will they think of me if I do not this or that, or look thus, or dress so, or go there?" are the great questions which our sex are too often puzzling themselves over to the exclusion of almost all other considerations. Instead we should ask, "What shall I think of myself if I do any of these things, in my moments of self-examination, conscious that the eye of God is upon me?" Let us first form a common-sense opinion of ourselves-what we are, what we can do, what we can not do, and what in our position is becoming for us to attempt, according to the highest dictates of our conscience, before we trouble ourselves about what the world will say or think of us.

Vast amounts of money, time, temper, and strength are wasted unnecessarily by reason of this same nervous fear of the opinion of others. The greater proportion of the failures in the financial world are occasioned by this very insignificant consideration of others' opinions of one's house, furnishings, dress, equipage, etc. There can be no limits affixed to the desolating damages resulting from this; when, meantime, the continual query should have been, "How shall I regard myself both in this life and in the hour of death if I run into this or that extravagant folly in order to please 'Mrs. Grundy,' and by so doing ruin my husband, and plunge ourselves into misery which will prove irreparable?" "What shall I think of myself if I drive others to defraud their creditors of their just dues that we may continue to keep up appearances before

the world?" "They all do so," or "They say," etc., usually embrace only a few persons, whose real, actual lives if exposed to the view of truth would be the last which we would like to imitate. 3. In our choice of associates in society we should be more readily influenced by our own conscientious opinions than by unworthy considerations based on a servile dependence upon circumstances. No sooner do we find ourselves overestimating others without regard to their true value, by reason of the glittering of their wealth, or the eminence of their position, and neglecting the worthy because they lack such appliances, than we should pause to consider ourselves, whether such persons are really worthy of us, or such other persons unworthy our friendship, and not what others will say.

Too prone are our sex to be only thoughtful of the fashions, and so they follow after one who is even rude and disagreeable if she but possess the advantages of wealth and parade. They will do her numerous favors, secretly regarding such attentions as capital investments under the rule of self-interest. Her rudeness is politely overlooked as "her way;" her ignorance ignored as— a peculiarity of "her family." She is proudly quoted as "My particular friend." This is neither wise nor good. It is not philosophy or Christianity. While we should be friendly with the rich and powerful, we should not permit such friendships to harden our hearts against those who have no such advantages. We should seek to estimate others according to their own absolute meritthe souls which they possess. In all situations we should never shrink from manifesting a regard for any worthy person, though her garments are plain or her manners abashed from the consciousness of inferiority. If prouder friends reject your friendship for this reason, rejoice to be freed from such unworthy associates. If you have made one fellow-being the happier for your kind word and humility to her, you have just cause for pride, if pride be ever allowable.

Those who feel neglected in society and realize. their inferiority of position should be careful that they fault not others too harshly. It is quite possible that they are too jealous of those around them, and from the very bitterness of their hearts, arising from suffering, poverty, and privation, suspect their more fortunate companions of motives and sentiments of which they are quite innocent. Let such, however, never forget that there are hearts strong, noble, and true, minds of the highest grade of capacity and attainment, surrounded by all those appliances of superior fortune which are generally supposed to weaken and enervate the moral and intellect ual powers. These are examples for admiration

and imitation, true leaders of society, deserving credit for passing the temptations of the pride of artificial life and of the power of high fortune, unscathed and uncorrupted. They have acquired the grace of humility at a cost, but little realized by those who were never surrounded by the subtile influence of wealth and power.

Above all things should we seek to cultivate humility, that envy may find no place in our thoughts. He who envies none is happy. But no sooner do we allow our hearts to covet what is our neighbor's than we are slaves to pride and misery. Nothing is so blighting, blackening, shivering to our own prospects and the development of the graces of personal progress as the cherishing of the serpent Envy in our bosoms, which stings through all the words and deeds. This it is which causes one to exclaim, on beholding the mansions and other appliances of those who are wealthic than herself, “How very happily must these persons pass their lives! Why was I born in a humbler sphere! Alas! I can not see the justice of Providence." Enter these coveted homes. In one you will find sickness of years. Perhaps the only and beloved daughter of the house is an invalid for life, casting a shadow of gloom over every heart in the household. Her language in the morning is, "Would to God that it were evening!" And when the evening comes she cries, "Would to God that it were morning!" Would you exchange your health and good spirits for an existence like this, even though it be softened with luxury and brightened with gold?

In another of these homes are sorrows of the heart, overcoming griefs, which exclude all sunlight of happiness from the existence, else fortunate to a remarkable degree, by reason of the open faithlessness of the beloved, to the highest and holiest relations and principles of life. No happiness here; there never will be happiness more till death shall enter these lofty doors and bear away the inmates to the narrow house, appointed alike for the rich and the poor.

In a third you discover yourself in a Pandemonium, surrounded by the horrors of strife proceeding from undisciplined wills, general insubordination, and unsystematized cares. Faces around you are distorted with anger and sullen gloom. Your ears recoil from the harsh tones of intractable spirits. You retreat with a shudder down the marble steps, as though escaping from a lunatic asylum.

In a fourth you find the unhappiness of dissatisfied ambition, deep and poignant disappointments arising from the loss of public or private expectations. None would willingly abide with the defeated politician, the unfortunate speculator, or the unhappy man who never attains the

In the fifth you find such folly and ignorance, stupidity and conceit, that nothing would tempt you to exchange your mental endowments for theirs, even with the balance of their superior fortune.

In the sixth you are disposed still to covet. Here all is fair and delightful. It would be heaven upon earth to you. But wait, observe further, and with the accurate penetration of a microscope. You start; you turn away sickened and horror-struck! Wherefore? Hidden in the penetralia of that domestic circle are festering sins which never exist with peace and happiness. They are like cancers upon the hearts of those inmates. They will increase till they overcome and destroy. The world mistrusts them not. Profound and subtile secrecy has effectually beguiled every eye. Here is the path which the culture of envy hath not seen, nor hath the fierce lion of public censure passed by it.

You behold the lot of the successful author, and exclaim, "O, that is the life for me! How enviable to be applauded and admired by the multitudes for the triumphs of intellect!" Here, too, are certainly perquisites peculiar to a life of literary toil, which you would not willingly accept as your lot.

And thus might you search from one coveted life to another, through the whole catalogue, and discover nothing really worth enjoying, as it exists inseparably connected with so much of sin, and suffering, and sorrow. Does one say, "These trials all have place in humbler homes and among superior and inferior minds alike, without any of those compensations which are in the train of wealth to mitigate the poignancy of endur ance." True, but seldom are they found in the intensity which exists in the circles of the higher classes. The hopes, the aims, and the activities which necessarily impel those who are obliged to struggle for a place in the world are a merciful provision against the blackness of despair and the abandonment of all life's joy and bright ness, to which those who know nothing of such efforts become a willing captive. The roses are the most beautiful of all flowers. They have the thorns, while the humbler flowers may nestle in the soft patches of vegetation without any of these unpleasant incumbrances. There is more genuine happiness to be found among those persons who are not compelled to sustain the pride and parade of high life, but where care and efforts are confined to the simple and reasonable provisions of rational existence than is reckoned in the calculations of the superficial observer.

It is certain, however, that some persons seem

others disconnected from all external circumstances. But are they not called to this stern discipline of sorrow to perfect that humility in their souls which shall make them eminent means of the greatest usefulness on earth and heirs of the highest degree of happiness in heaven? No one ever arrives to great eminence for excellence of character, except through the fearful ordeal of suffering. Flowers must be crushed before yielding the richest perfume. When the ambitious mother came to Jesus and desired that her two sons might sit the one on his right hand and the other on his left in his kingdom, he replied, "Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

Therefore, if in the pride of aspiration you behold any in a position of honorable exaltation with envy, re member the cost! Ask yourself if you are able to drink of the cup which has been drained by them to the bitterest dregs, to be immersed in the succession of trials which have consecrated their souls to the discipline which giveth wisdom and strength! You know not what you do, when, in the pride of your heart, you ask for the highest exaltation!

We should cultivate humility that we may not, through envy of the successes of our equals or superiors, have a desire to injure them by detracting from their merit. When any find themselves saying in their hearts, "She has no right to so much praise; I should share these honors, at least; I will injure her; I will put her down, that she may know that she is not what she doubtless infers at present," they should beware of the evil that is possessing them. They are yielding to a temptation which will drive them forth from happiness and peace. Such designs never prosper ultimately, however they may appear to flourish proximately. They are only retarding their own progress and providing for the more effectual elevation of the person who is the object of envy. The "Divinity who shapes our ends," notwithstanding the most artful calculations, takes cognizance of these purposes and awards success and failure accordingly.

There are several kinds of humility, some of which are to be avoided no less than other errors of the heart. Of these is that external air of humility which is none other than secret pride. Coleridge observes that the "favorite sin" of the spirit of evil "is the pride that apes humility." The cynical Diogenes and other disciples of Antisthenes, who affected to despise wealth and much else which is valued by mankind, were of this class. They would not have walked the streets of Athens with such a parade of plain

wretchedness had they not secretly gloried in their peculiar habits and opinions. Any one who dresses with extreme plainness for the motive of being observed for singular humility is not humble. Or, is an act of external humility performed with only this motive, it has no merit. Where there exists pride humility is not.

We should also beware of that humility which makes us lower our standard of action to commonplace frivolity or any act unworthy of ourselves. We should never descend to the ignoble level of those persons who would bring down to themselves and their folly or wickedness every one, or stigmatize them with the character of being proud. If such is the standard of those who call themselves humble it were wiser in us to seek another class with whom to associate; or, at least, we should have the strictest care to preserve our own rule of action unshaken and intact. Some persons will descend to a variety of unworthy conduct, even to certain forms of positive dissipation, for no other reason than to be popular with those of their associates who will call them proud if they become not partakers with them in their evil deeds. This proves often the first step in the downfall of many a noble soul which might have risen to positions of distinguished usefulness and honor. But in attempting to rise on the ladder of spurious humility they found the worm-eaten rounds insecure, and finally fell into degradation and shame, from which they never afterward emerged. They failed to discern that those persons who affected this false humility were prouder than the proud in their own way. This most disastrous state of society is more frequently illustrated in political cliques, social fraternities, colleges, and various other bodies, in both town and country. But every young person should be distinctly warned against this pitfall, to be found in the life-path of all. Let no young lady ever do any act which she would blush to submit to the attention of her wisest friends, in order to please others who will accuse her of pride, if she refuse to descend to their unworthy level. There are especial occasions when ladies should guard against pride and cherish a spirit of humility. These are,

First. When any meritorious act has been performed and decided praise is awarded by others. We should never betray any emotion under such circumstances other than tranquil satisfaction and entire repose of soul, united to a grateful appreciation of the commendation. Yet how many receive a triumph with such elation and besotted arrogance that it is their last! Thus they gather to themselves more enemies in a short time than they ever will have friends in all their lives.

It is so natural to feel unworthy exaltation in moments of success, we should be strictly watchful to make great and persevering efforts to acquire a becoming temper of mind. Let a weakminded person suddenly become possessed of any good fortune, and the pride of the heart springs up in a night like the gourd of the prophet, but like that, also, it is smitten by the worm of shame, and perishes as suddenly as it was evoked. So surely as we allow ourselves to feel pride in any success, so surely are we making ourselves targets for misfortunes. The word of God hath said it. When cometh pride then cometh shame. Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. The one who can bear prosperity with becoming humility is truly wise of heart and great of soul.

In this connection we should not lose sight of the influence we are casting around us. Are we fortunate? Then let us so carry ourselves that all may say, "How consistent she is with all her good fortune! It is so admirable, I will take pleasure in imitating her." On the contrary, if we bear ourselves proudly in prosperity others will imitate us while none will approve.

Second. No lady should be proud of personal advantages. If one has beauty let her not conduct so that others will have occasion to say, "She would be prettier were she not so vain. She has been flattered so much she looks like a smirking doll in a pantomime." The true grace and conservator of beauty is an absence of all apparent consciousness of it.

Third. A lady should beware of pride on account of family position or wealth. These should remember that fortune is fickle and the next vicissitude may rob her of all meretricious surroundings, in which case she will have reason to rejoice if she never has displayed an ill-spirit toward others.

Fourth. Especially shall those be humble who have superior intellectual attainments. In proportion that rare mental gifts have been bestowed will the right use of them be required, which consists in imparting all useful knowledge to others with that affable grace which is pleasing to every recipient.