Importance of Character

       There is a difference between character and reputation. Character is what we really are. Reputation is what others suppose we are. A man may have a good character and a bad reputation, or he may have a good reputation and a bad character. The reason of this is, that we form our opinions of men from what they appear to be, and not from what they really are. Some men appear to be much better than they really are, while others are better than they appear to be. Most men are more anxious about their reputation than they are about their character. This is improper. While every man should endeavor to maintain a good reputation, he should especially labor to possess a good character. Our true happiness depends not so much on what is thought of us by others, as on what we really are in ourselves. Men of good character are generally men of good reputation; but this is not always the case, as the motive and actions of the best of men are sometimes misunderstood and misrepresented. But it is important, above everything else, that we be right, and do right, whether our motives and actions are properly understood and appreciated or not. Nothing can be so important to any man as the formation and possession of a good character.

       The influences which operate in the formation of character are numerous, and however trivial some of them may appear, they are not to be despised. The most powerful forces in nature are those which opearte silently and imperceptibly. This is equally true of those moral forces which exert the greatest influences on our minds, and give complexion to our characters. Among these, early impressions, example, and habits, are perhaps the most powerful.

       Early impressions, although they may appear to be but slight, are the most enduring, and exert the greatest influences on the life. By repetition they acquire strength, become deeply rooted in the mind, and give bent and inclination to its powers. "The tiniest bits of opinion sown in the minds of children in private life, afterwards issue forth to the world, and become its public opinion; for nations are gathered out of nurseries." Examples, it is said, preach to eyes; and there are but few persons, especially among the young, who can avoid imitating those with whom they associate. For the most part, this is so unconscious that its effects are almost unheeded, but its influence is not on that account the less permanent. The models which are daily placed before us, tend to mould our character and shape our course in life. Habit results from the repetition of the same act, until we become so accustomed to it, that its performance requires no mental effort, and scarcely attracts our attention.

       By the influence of early impressions, the force of example, and the power of habit, the character becomes slowly and imperceptibly, but at length decidedly formed; the individual acquires those traits and qualities by which he is distinguished, and which bear directly upon his happiness and welfare. It is very important, then, for every one, and especially for the young, to be very careful as to the impressions he cherishes, the example he imitates, and the habits he forms. These are important elements which go to constitute character, and if they are of an improper nature, the result will be ruinous. Character is everything. It matters not what a man's reputation may be, without a good character he cannot be really happy.

from the Methodist Recorder

Influence of Character

       The influence of character can never be over-estimated. We call it influence, indeed; but we might perhaps--as Whately somewhere says--with more significance, style it effluence, for it is continually radiating from a man, and then most of all when he is least conscious of its emanation. We are moulding others wherever we are; and if we were in every respect to live according to the gospel, we should be the noblest missionaries of the cross that the world has ever seen. Books are only powerful when they are read; sermons are only influential when they are listened to; but character keeps itself at all times before men's attention, and its might is felt by every one who comes within its sphere. Other agencies are intermittent, like the revolving light, which, after a time of brightness, goes out into a period of darness; but religious principle is continuous in its operation, and shines with the steady radiance of a star. Hence, of all the ways by which Christians may tell on the surrounding world, this is the most potent, and prbobably there are no means more blessed for the conversion of sinners, and the elevation of spiritual life among believers, than the habitual deportment of the disciples of Jesus. Frequently a servant has been brought to Christ by the sight of the Chrisitian consistency of her mistress; and not seldom all the members of a household have been benefitted by the piety of a humble maiden. I have known the young men of an office seriously impressed by the sterling principle of a fellow-clerk; and sometimes the holy walk of a simple-minded artisan has won not only the admiration, but also the imitation of his neighbors. Now, this is a means of usefulness within the reach of every one, and were we thoroughly alive to its importance, we should be more careful than we are of our conduct, for is it not the case that, instead of commending Christ by our lives, we too frequetnly give occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, and mar the force of the truth by our inconsistency? Instead of adding new energy to the gospel by our conduct, we take away from its power by our iniquities; and men say, if the life of a Christian be such as we have manifested, they will be no Christians. Who can tell how many have been thus repelled from the word of truth? And is it not a fact, that one of the strongest evidences of the divinity of our religion may be derived from the consideration that it has survived the injuries inflicted on it by the Christless conduct of its professed adherents? My brethren, is this inconsistency to continue among us? Let us today resolve that, God helping us, we shall live more thoroughly in harmony with those noble principles which Christ enforced by his teaching, and adorned by his example. In the family, let us cultivate the graces of patience, forbearance, love, and self-sacrifice; in the social circle, let us seek to manifest meekness and purity; in business pursuits, let us show that we are actuated by justice and integrity; yea, wherever we are, let us endeavor to have our conversation so worthy of the gospel, that men may take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus.

W. M. Taylor, D. D.

A guilty conscience is like a whirlpool, drawing in all to itself which would otherwise pass by.

Fuller

Life is not measured by the time we live.

George Crabbe.

Strength of Character

       We mistake strong feeling to be strong character. A man who bears all before him--before whose frown domestics tremble and whose bursts of fury make the children of the house quake--because he has his will obeyed, and his own way in all things, we call him a strong man. The truth is, that he is a weak man; it is his passions that are strong: he, mastered by them, is weak. You must measure the strength of a man by the power of the feelings he subdues, not by the power of those which subdue him. And hence composure is very often the highest result of strength. Did we never see a man receive a flat grand insult, and only grow a little pale and then reply quietly? That was a man spiritually strong. Or did we never see a man in anguish, stand as if carved out of the solid rock, mastering himself? or one bearing a hopeless daily trial, remain silent and never tell the world what it was that cankered his home-peace? That is strength. He who, with strong passions, remains chaste--he who, keenly sensitive, with manly power of indignation in him, can be provoked, yet can restrain himself and forgive--these are strong men, spiritual heroes.

F. W. Robertson, D.D.

Only what we have wrought into our characters during life can we take away with us.

Humboldt

Character, good or bad, has a tendency to perpetuate itself.

A. A. Hodge, D.D.

Worth of Character

       The two most precious things this side the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other. A wise man, therefore, will be more anxious to deserve a fair name than to possess it, and this will teach him so to live, as not to be afraid to die.

George H. Colton