Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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CHARACTER. The Acorn—Tage 7 Nothing has so much to do with our happiness as character. On it de- pends whether or not we are to he influential and whether or not we are to be loved, and whether or not we are to excel. And in these three we find the foundation of all happiness. Character means individuality or that which one is in himself. It is not effected in the least by any outward agency, but only by voluntary trans- gressions. Some might say that different circumstances have much to do with the formation of character; but in all walks of life there are temptations which must be overcome before we can establish truthfulness. So we may say, that regardless of social conditions or financial surround- ings. the essentials of a good character may be formed. These, I claim, are honesty, morality, and love, the first named being the most important. Honesty means straightforwardness and fair dealing with everybody; it car- ries with it that respect which no other attribute in life can. Call to mind any man who is minutely honest and see if his name does not connote a favor- able impression in vour mind By morality I mean being free from vice, from the use intoxicants and tobacco, from the habit of profanity. Who is there that does not respect morality? Even the vilest of men admire purity. Love includes kindness and sympathy. It is the result of some admirable quality we see in anything. Often love can accomplish results that force cannot. Refinement is a mark of good character, but cannot be considered as an essential. It includes etiquette, pride, and a love for the beautiful. These are wanting in many men who still have good, strong characters. Of course there are exceptions to the general rule concerning good and bad charactere in men. A man, by his outward acts, may create a good im- pression upon the people; and below this, he may be harboring deception, vice, and crime. But he will surely be found out before he dies. Call to mind your feelings when you have told a lie. or done something else wrong, and again, your feelings when you are void of offence toward anybody. Such a contrast will show the difference between the mind of the deceiver and the man who is what he professes to be.

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THE, BEST THING IN THE WORLD. The Acorn—Page 6 The best thin in the world is love Christ said, in answer to the Phar- isee lawyer, who asked Him which was the greatest commandment, “Thou shaltlovethe Lord, thy God, with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.’ Christ also told him that the next greatest commandment was, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” We find that this answer silenced the Pharisees and they asked no more questions; nor could they find fault with His answer; for they could see for themselves what that one commandment in- cluded. “For this is the love of God. that we keep his commandments.” Then if we love God we will keep his commandments; and in keeping his commandments we would “love our neighbor as ourselves.” So what Christ called the second greatest commandment could be included in the first. Just before His betrayal, when Christ is trying to comfort His Apostles, He tells them to love one another, and to love their Father in Heaven, and also to continue in His love; for in that mutual love they would find consolat- ion and always live up to God’s laws. Love is really the source of all goodness It was for the love of man- kind that Jesus suffered death. The result of love may also be seen in our every day lives. If a child love his parents, he will obey them; and on the other hand, if the parents love their children, they will teach them to do right, and by doing that they are teaching them to love their God. Anyone who will say an unpleasant word or do anything unkind to a friend does not love that friend, or, if a play- mate or friend deliberately introduce to another anything that is wrong, he does not love th it friend or that playmate. If we truly love one another we shall all be united in gaining salvation. We should all feel as brothers and sisters, but too often we lack that brother- ly love. Do we love that fellowman whom we would not help up and encour age after he had fallen by letting his weakness get the better of him? In- stead of shunning him and ietting him become more and more discouraged as he tries in vain to rise against the force of some who are pushing him down. Love would help him to rise by encouraging him and making him feel as though some one would like to see him again on his r pd upward. By dropping a smile, a word of encouragement to one in distress, we may make the world brighter and happier, and the more that feeling of love exists towards one another, the more beautiful will seem the things of this life. Florence Woolley. '07.

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A CHILD S COMPANY MANNERS. The 1 corn—Page 8 “Sit down, will you, please, and wait a minute till my mother comes!” said a little girl to two ladies who came to see her mother. “And will you give me a glassof water? Edith!” asked one of the ladies. “With pleasure,” answered Edith, and she presently came back with two glasses. “Oh. thank you,” said the other lady, “you are very thoughtful.” “I am glad io serve you,” said Edith in her gentlest tones. When Edith went out of the room one of the ladies remarked, “That little girl is one of the loveliest children 1 ever met.” “Her manners are very sweet and obliging,” replied the other. Let us go into the next room and see. Edith went back with the glasses. “Me drink! me drink!” cried Bobbie, screwing up his rosy lips. “Get out, Bob,” cried Edith, “go to Bridget for water.” “Don’t speak to your little brother that way,” said Bridget. “It is none of your business what I say,” cried Edith. “Edith” called grandma from the top of the stairs. “What?” screamed Edith. “Come up, dear.” “1 don’t want to.” She, however, dragged herself upstairs: unwilling feet find it hard to climb. “Edith,” said grandma, “will you try to find my specs? I am pretty certain J left them in the dining room.” “No, you did’nt,” cried Edith in across, contradictory tone, “you al- ways lose them up here,” and she rummaged round the chamber tumbling things over disorderly. “No matter,” said the dear old lady, seeing she would have much to do to put things to rights again, “f can find them now, and Edith went olT pouting. Oh, dear! where are Edith’s obliging manners? Why, those are her company manners. She puts them on in the parlor and puts them oil’ when she leaves it. She wears them before visitors and hangs them up when they are gone. She forgets that true politeness is worn in the kitchen as well as in the parlor. Hattie Owen. '08.