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Character and Manners—See.

CHARACTER-BUILDING

Men might as well try to erect a skyscraper on a bog as to attempt to build a character on anything less enduring than Jesus. Every little while some one makes a new religion with Jesus omitted. These structures dot the plains of nineteen centuries. For a time they appear attractive. But, sooner or later, their tenants discover that there is something wrong with the underpinning. Happy they if they can succeed in moving out before the flimsy fabrics collapse and bury their misguided occupants beneath unseemly ruins.—

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See.

CHARACTER CONDITIONED BY THE PHYSICAL

A news item from Toledo, Ohio, reads:

Skilled surgeons at St. Vincent's hospital have transformed Harold Hurley, the bad boy, into Harold Hurley, the good boy.

A few days ago, Harold, aged twelve, who was slated for the Lancaster reform school, was taken to the hospital. To-day he was taken home, a changed boy, different in thought, acts, and even appearance.

Harold has been a problem to his mother and to the juvenile court officers for some time. Probation Officer Dilgart got a look at Harold recently and discovered a peculiar scar on the boy's forehead. Inquiry developed that when five years of age Harold stumbled, and striking his head upon a stone, sustained a fracture of the skull. Gradually he became bad; but instead of being sent to Lancaster, he was removed to the hospital, where the pressure of a broken bone on his brain was removed.

After the operation the lad's faculties gathered slowly. Dr. James Donnelly states that the pressure of the piece of bone upon the brain had gradually dulled all the higher sensibilities, and if it had gone on Harold would in time have become an utter degenerate. (Text.)

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CHARACTER, CROWN OF

That all men may attain the crown of a Godlike character is the lesson of this poem by Edwin Markham:

When punctual death comes knocking at the door, To lead the soul upon the unknown road, There is one crown, one only, never flung Back to the dust by his fastidious hand. Touched by this crown, a man is king indeed, And carries fate and freedom in his breast; And when his house of clay falls ruining, His soul is out upon the path of stars! This is the one thing stronger than the years That tear the kingdoms down. Imperious time, Pressing a wasteful hand on mortal things, Reveals this young eternity in man.

The peasant, he may earn it with the king, And tread an equal palace full of light. Fleet youth may seize this crown: slow-footed age May wear its immortality. Behold! Its power can turn bare rafters to a home Hallowed with hopes and hushed with memories; Can turn a field of ruin to a place Where pilgrims keep the watches of the night.

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CHARACTER IMPARTED

Said a young lady to her hostess: "I want to scent my lace handkerchief and I have no sachet with me." The handkerchief was taken by the lady and placed inside a great rose-jar. "Your handkerchief will be scented in a few hours and the fragrance will never depart from it." And it never did. The lady explained that the jar had been obtained in China and had been a rose-jar for generations. But when it came into her possession she spent a large sum of money on attar of roses to penetrate the inner glazing of the glass and her object was fulfilled. The fragrance would never depart from it and was communicated to any object placed in it for a few hours. Roman Catholic priests remark that if they can have charge of a child until he is ten years of age he will never depart from the faith. Certainly the pervasive influence of the moral atmosphere is a mighty power in determining character.

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Character Impugned—See.

Character in Pictures—See.

Character Like the Diamond—See.