shun him. We become charitable by knowing
men. We learn to love those whom we have despised by rubbing against them.
Do you not remember some instance of meeting a man or woman whom you had
never previously known or cared to know--an individual, perhaps, against
whom you have entertained the strongest prejudices--but to whom you became
bound by a lifelong friendship through the influence of a three days'
intercourse? Yet, if you had not thus met, you would have carried through
life the idea that it would be impossible for you to give your fellowship
to such an individual.

8. THE FOOLISHNESS OF MAN.--God has introduced into human character
infinite variety, and for you to say that you do not love and will not
associate with a man because he is unlike you, is not only foolish but
wrong. You are to remember that in the precise manner and decree in which
{68} a man differs from you, do you differ from him; and that from his
standpoint you are naturally as repulsive to him, as he, from your
standpoint, is to you. So, leave all this talk of congeniality to silly
girls and transcendental dreamers.

[Illustration: GATHERING ORANGES IN THE SUNNY SOUTH.]

9. DO BUSINESS IN YOUR WAY AND BE HONEST.--Do your business in your own
way, and concede to every man the privilege which you claim for yourself.
The more you mix with men, the less you will be disposed to quarrel, and
the more charitable and liberal will you become. The fact that you do not
understand a man, is quite as likely to be your fault as his. There are a
good many chances in favor of the conclusion that, if you fail to like an
individual whose acquaintance you make it is through your own ignorance and
illiberality. So I say, meet every man honestly; seek to know him; and you
will find that in those points in which he differs from you rests his power
to instruct you, enlarge you, and do you good. Keep your heart open for
everybody, and be sure that you shall have your reward. You shall find a
jewel under the most uncouth exterior; and associated with homeliest
manners and oddest ways and ugliest faces, you will find rare virtues,
fragrant little humanities, and inspiring heroisms.

10. WITHOUT SOCIETY, WITHOUT INFLUENCE.--Again: you can have no influence
unless you are social. An unsocial man is as devoid of influence as an
ice-peak is of verdure. It is through social contact and absolute social
value alone that you can accomplish any great social good. It is through