Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-10-27
To Young Men.

In an Address delivered before the Young
Mems Christian Association of Chicago, by
Rev. T. NJ. Eddy, D. D., and published at
the request of the Association, we find store
of good practical hints and advice to young
men upon matters pertaining both to religion
and business, and we ask them to read these
extracts:
There is something strikingly suggestive
in the words YOUNG Mems Association. Age
has its associations, but extreme cautious
ness must characterize them. They may be
wise in their plans, but rigid conservatism
will mark their execution. II is well. There
is needed a check somewhere upon hasty
progress, which may else degenerate into
agrarlanism, or madden into a political, So
cial or religious icOnOclasm. As we grow
older we become averse to sudden changes.
There is no chair in the ware-room so com
Portable as the one which has awaited our
coming since many year ago. There is no
table so coy as the old one. The old spring
bubbles dearest, and no shade is so refresh
ing as that Of the old tree under which were
youthful sports, youthful whisperings, and
youthful vows.
In the compensatiOns of society this can
not prevent progress while there are thou
sands of young, ardent men, clamorous for
advance. The brakes are often whistled
down, it may be, but hot fire is kept under
the boiler. Associated youth has much be-
fore it, and has strong arms and sanguine
hearts to work for it. The cautions of con-
servative middle life are heard and the coun-
sells of age are listened to reYerently, but the
youthful heart beats to the music of the "for-
ward march"
And what an age is his for young men
we can live faster than our fathers. The epi-
thet " fast young men" is reproachful, and
vet how can we help being fast in the age
when our metOr is the kissing fre-fend our
news man the swift-winged lightning; our
artist, the light which numbers its miles per
second by the million? If we move by
steam, we must 60 fast if we must talk by
lightning, how can we be " slow Of speech 2''
If we have the swift-rayed light to paint our
features as it flies, we must be in haste, or we
shall be blacker than the tenebrous person
age whose habitat is the adjacent fuel. When
prices are reported each morning from the
seaboard, we cannot trade as once, in digni-
fed business.
What theatre for young menl 1t is the
grandest geographically and physically the
sun shines on, and within 1t shall be fought
great conflicts Of the race. 1t is q magnif-
grander than were waged by old Titans and
Demigods, and by the Banner under which
they marshal.
This, however, is not left doubtful here
Joined with the words already quoted is an
other determining your status, and declaring
the ground you mean to occupy in the COM
ing contest. This is a Young Mems Christ
ian Association. Its standard is the Cross
its ethics the Gospel. 1t follows the for
tunes Of the Nazarine, and asks no nobler
leader.
But the idea is q mistaken one, that there
is no scope for Christian chivalry save in the
pulpit. would disabuse your minds of
such feeling, and lead them to another
field. What the world waits for and needs,
IS religion IN teork day dress--religion at the
receipt Of customs-religion in business. It
toaits tie euangelo Of a business gospel.
'HThe silver and the gold are the Lords"
I do not believe in assigning them to the