Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-11-11
Discomfo,ts of Idleness.

UiSc0mf0stS OF 1uleueSS'
1t is a grand mistake to suppose that
idleness is the friend of happiness that
the less a man has to do, the more he has
to enjoy; and that therefore the necessity
for labor, though inevitable in respect to
most persons, is after all misfortune to
be regretted. The habitual and systematic
idler is very far from being the happy man;
his feelings do not conform to the laws Of
solid enjoyment; aud hence he does not
and cannot attain the result.
His state of both body and soul, is per-
fectly unnatural, unsuitable to the cndow-
ments aud wants of an active nature. Man
was as really made for employment, as was
the sun made to shine, or the eye to see.
Activity is law Of his being, which he
cannot violate without suffering its penalty.
Observe the sports, the frolics and plays
Of early childhood: they are the demands
and therefore the qualifications of nature
they are the means of happiness before the
mind is expanded to the range Of higher
pursuits Children must have something
to do; and it is only by doing it that they
can be contented and happy. The same
is true cf man. In their case the amuse-
ments of childhood must be replaced and
supplied by activities suited to age, or na-
tire utters her protest. Man having
sensitive and active constitution, must
work it, in order to enjoy its blessings.
If he try the experiment of idleness, he
will find its dsicomforts greatly ovcrbal-
ancing its pleasures.
An idlcr is often Al extremely vicious
being, substituting the activities and in
dulgences of gross sin for the laudablc
industries of virtue. He is always SEN
sualst, finding his happiness mostly in
animal enjoyment; and quite frequently
his sensuality assumes the type of gross
ness. The better capacities aud suscepti-
bilities of his nature aae dorcmant. They
Lave very little chance to be developed
and of course, the satisfaction Of their
healthy exercise is unknown to him.
Reason slumbers, or wakes only TO de-
grading career Conscience is stupied, or
speaks only to condemn. The affections
and sensbilities are dried up, because the
mind is unmoved by the impulse of ami
mating and .levatiug motive. The animal
takes precedence and where we ought to
See the rational and moral man, there We,
behold sensuality and selfshness-the life
of brute without its innocence. Is this
aquiet and happy state-such condition
of human nature as to afford coEtentment
and peace! Possibly it might do for dog,
or the occupant of sty but to rational
being it is perpetual gout, continuous
and painful disease. Ideness is cancer,
poison in the blood, communicating and
cursing the whole organization of our na-
ture, destroying the semmetery of its parts,
and preventing healthy development.
An idler is sick man; his whole existence
is . morbid one. He is bed ridden upon
the couch of his own vice his growth Is
mere fungus. And is he happy man:
Far from it. He is literally too indolent
to enjoy life. The conditions Of Happiness
are not present.
How perfectly useless, moreover, is such
q man to the world in which he lives
While be is burden to himself, he is
benefit to nobody. lie fills no position in
society; no one esteems him, or considers
it Of any consequence to the world whether
he lives or dies-unless it be that in the
latter event one of earth's paupers has
gone to his last account. He is a con-
sumer, but not producer neither by his
intellect nor by his hands, does he pay
his passage through life. He wants free
ticket to ride for nothing. What must
such being think of himself, if he ever
thinks?
in an ethical view, idleness is a vice
AZ actual sin against nature and God.
While it is the parent of many vices, often
carrying whole brood in its train, it is
use" distinct immortality. The sluggard
!" SINNER as really as the drunkard and
what he experiences here, and will. here
after, is the penalty Of Gods law against
him. 1t is just punishment, and not
merely misfortune. God gave man his
powers to be used, appropriately used, in
respect to both worlds be claims this use,
both BY the dictates of nature and the re.
velations Of bis word Diligenc. in bust