CHAMBERS'S INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE. 



in which we live, on the condition in which we 

 may chance to be placed, and on the physical 

 qualities of our bodies, have we therefore no 

 power over opinion? Must we be its slaves? 

 Certainly not But the contrariety of opinion 

 existing in times and places teaches us, in the 

 first place, humility, which is the foundation 

 of many beautiful virtues. It shews us that 

 the opinions which we may form, particularly on 

 abstract subjects, may possibly neither be the 

 most correct nor the most enduring. Perhaps 

 what we have taken up and cherished as truth, 

 may, after all, be a delusion. In learning a lesson 

 of humility and distrust of our own way of think- 

 ing, we are impressed with a tender regard for the 

 conscientious opinions of others. 



Although opinion is commonly dependent on 

 those circumstances which we have noticed, 

 it cannot be allowed that we have no power 

 over it. We have a power over the formation 

 of opinion to a certain extent, and it is our 

 present object to shew how this power can be 

 exerted in order to enable us the better to fulfil 

 the duties of life. The reason why opinion is so 

 illusory in its nature is, that mankind have ever 

 been excessively careless in the adoption of their 

 opinions. They allow the floating notions that 

 come in their way by chance to take hold of them, 

 and grow into a system and a habit ; and after 

 having thus made up their minds, as they call it, 

 they will listen to no explanation of the opinions of 

 others. Their obstinacy, their self-conceit, their 

 self-interest, their wish to please the party to 

 which they have attached themselves, induce them 

 to hold fast to their original opinion, even when 

 experience has shewn it to be false or doubtful. 

 In the apposite language of Scripture, these men 

 war against the TRUTH. 



From these considerations, it is clear that we 

 ought to be very cautious in the formation, and, 

 most of all in the display of our opinions. Speaking 

 to the young, we would say while yet under the 

 training of parents, guardians, and teachers, it is 

 your duty to receive with confidence the instructions 

 by which it is attempted to enlighten your minds, 

 and to put you in the way of well-doing. But 

 these friends of your youth will probably tell you, 

 that when you pass from under their guardianship 

 into the active scenes of life, you become a respon- 

 sible being responsible alike to human and Divine 

 laws and that you must now think for yourself. 

 At this critical period of your existence, you have 

 every chance of coming in contact with the idle, 

 the dissipated, the frivolous, who will try to make 

 you embrace erroneous opinions, and who will 

 possibly put the most mischievous books into 

 your hands. Do not be led away by such machina- 

 tions ; neither be dismayed by the number of wits 

 or profane jesters who may assail you. Do your 

 duty manfully. In order that you may attain a 

 correct opinion on the great debatable subjects 

 that you will hear rung in your ears through life, 

 begin a course of reading those good and authori- 

 tative works which intelligent friends will recom- 

 mend to your notice. Take every opportunity of 

 cultivating your understanding, of enlarging your 

 ideas, of banishing prejudices. Look always at 

 the different sides of a question ; for you must 

 remember that there are always many ways of 

 telling a story. In proportion as you advance in 

 your private studies, and acquire a knowledge of 



550 



the passions and conduct of mankind, you will 

 more and more be able to form a correct opinion. 

 There is one thing which you will learn with sur- 

 prise from this kind of experience ; and that is, 

 that many, though holding different opinions, are 

 driving towards the same end in the main. They 

 have only differed upon trifles, and perhaps fought 

 about mere words. This is one of the strange 

 weaknesses of the human race, into which you will 

 find it difficult to avoid falling. The more you 

 learn, the more will you see cause to entertain a 

 liberal view of the opinions of others. Having 

 formed our own opinions on solid grounds of 

 conviction, let us uphold them on all fitting occa- 

 sions with firmness, but at the same time with that 

 regard for the opinions of others which forms a 

 part of the great Christian virtue of Charity. 



These observations apply indifferently to various 

 subjects upon which opinions may be formed ; 

 and we would, in conclusion, beg to say a few 

 words in particular on opinions of a political 

 nature, which are the most difficult of all to form 

 correctly. Political opinions are those that regard 

 the theory and practice of national government 

 The policy of national government is not some- 

 thing that can be laid down absolutely. It is a 

 thing dependent on time, place, and other circum- 

 stances. The form of government which suits 

 one age or country would not suit another age and 

 country. Some nations are best governed by a 

 despotism, others by a mixture of monarchy and 

 democracy, others by a pure republicanism. The 

 genius and necessities of the same people, too, 

 are subject to change, and consequently their 

 government must change with them. If we feel 

 the force of these facts, we shall be cautious how 

 we assume an unalterable opinion upon any mode 

 of administering government. The young are 

 particularly liable to take up notions on this sub- 

 ject which they afterwards see necessity to fall 

 from. We would admonish them to read and 

 digest the history of their country, and reflect 

 well upon the genius of the nation, before they 

 come to a determinate opinion in politics. They 

 are called upon by duty to examine extensively, 

 and deeply, the grounds upon which they form 

 their opinion. National exigences sometimes call 

 upon us to engage more deeply in politics at one 

 time than another. Discretion must here be our 

 guide ; yet there is generally greater danger in 

 our wasting much precious time on political dis- 

 quisition than in falling into an apathy upon 

 public affairs. He is a wise man who knows how 

 so to guide his steps as to preserve himself from 

 falling into either extreme. Every one who has 

 been for a long series of years politically busy, 

 will acknowledge that, though he thinks he was 

 right in the main in which opinion he may be 

 right or wrong yet that he has spent many busy 

 hours and anxious thoughts on subjects which, 

 looked back upon, are seen to have been profit- 

 less and insignificant. 



Contentment 



There is a right and a wrong kind of content- 

 ment. We may be in a condition not quite agree- 

 able to us ; our food, clothing, and other necessaries 

 may be deficient ; we may possess faculties of mind 

 and body capable of improving our condition ; 

 and it may be in no way imprudent to make the 

 attempt to better ourselves. In such a case it 



