Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-03-01
NEVER BE IDLE.

The Rev. Adam Clarke, an eminent Meth
odist divine. whose commentary on the Bible
is universally known, was accustomed ID say,
that the old proserb against having too many
irons hi the ere, was false, for that ga man
couldn't have too many" Shovel, tongs,
poker, keep them al going, be added, b. way
Of illustration. The good Doctor was right
Not that man ought ever to undertake slsre
than he can manage. This was far from be-
ing the meaning Of the old preacher. He
only Implied that man could perform more
labor, and better, if he diversified bis pur-
suits little. His own experience was an
illustration in point. One part Of bis life was
spent in riding FROM village to village, in or
der to preach, while the intermissions, when
they occurred, were devoted to hard study,
instead of to idle rest, Afterwards ho be-
came an employee Of government his duty
being TO deeipher cid fscnris, hst he still
continued his habit Of relaxing bis mind, not
by total ces sationIof study, but bya change
to different subject. He lived to good
old age, and thus proved that he was right,
and that idlcness is nevcr, or rarely neces-
sary for health.
We often hear mechanics, working-mcn,
and even merchants, complain that they have
no time to read. They think that, after hav-
ing laborcd hard all day, they require rest
in the evening and on this ground Justify
idleness at that time, if not card-playing,
convivial meetings, or other pretended re-
laxations. But if they would emulate the
EXAMPLE Of DR.. Adam Clarke, and cschew
idleness and dissipation. they would find that
their health would be none the worse for the
change, but rather better. The man who
spends his evenings over book, calls into
play entirely different faculties from those
which have been tasked during the day for
generally it is bis physical part which Is fa-
tigued, and this rests effectually while he
reads. Even the student can find relaxation
by changing to different themes, for then other
faculties Of his mind are exercised thus when
the mathematician turns to poetry he gives
casualty rcposc and sets ideality at work ];
and this affords as complete rest as when
one tired with walking, enters carriage to,
continue the journey.
| Life is too short to allow Of any moments
being wasted, W hich can be turned to good
account. The apprentice who spends his
evenings in study is sure to lay up stock
of IDEAS, which he will find, at some time or
other, viii prvve to him 50 much positive cap
ital His fellow apprentice, who squandered
his evenings at oyster cellars, or in lounging
about engine-houses, gains no such seeds Of
future wealth but on the contrary impairs
his health by his early excuses, besides los
ing the confidence of all who might help him
forward in life. Even he, who avoids the
follies so common to young men, but yet
makes fatigue the plea for sleeping away the
evening, or otherwise wasting his time, COM
mits serious blunder. II more persons
would resolve, on emerging from childhood,
never to be idle, there would be twenty for
! tunes made where one is made now, and
twenty men rise to eminence where one at
tains distinction at present. Every year,
more hours are wasted, of four people out Of
Eve, than would, if improved, have made
them rich in their old age. NEVER BE
IDLE! -