The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-04-05
LABOR.


the appearances ofthe universe and trac-
i ing the laws by which it is governed,
we lind that all nature is busy and ac-
tive. Something is ever coming for
ward in creation. Some design ever
going on to execution. Nothing in ma
ture is at rest-ali Is alive, ali in action.
The loneliest desert is populous. Putre-
faction even is pregnant with life
Worlds are inelosed in worlds and sys-
TENS Of being going on, whose move
ments entirely escape the eye Of sense
In the silent but eternal motions of the
orbs Of heaven, in the ceaseless action
OF the elements around us, in the ever
varying movementsand transformations
in the animate creation, in the changes
constantly wrought in the deep abysses
OF earih's rocky structure, EVERYWHERE
we see that there is life, motion, activity
in the great system Of created things
Man too is appointed to action, to effort.
lnaetion, stagnation, is the void which
mind abhors. The man who dooms
himself to the pains and penalties Of
life without active efiort-a life without
an end worthy the employment Of his
powers and which engages them in ac-
tual etfort-a life OF idleness, is one of
the most miserable Of Gods creatures.-
He IS without that, from which arises
the highest glory of our nature and
which opens the springs of our richest
enjoyment. Even the lowest class of
human enjoyments, animal pleasures,
derive their chief zest from q life Of ac-
tivity. Rest supposes labor. Hours of
leisure suppose hours Of employment
The Injuries ofthe feast are best relished
by those who have felt the fatigues of the
chase. But such pleasures are Of them
selves unworthy human pursuit, I'M
less enjoyed only at proper intervals and
in subordination to higher ends, they
soon pail upon the appetite, disgust by
repetition and degrade him who seeks
them. Mans true and abiding happ-
ness results from the active employment
usefulness and honor-in labors adapted
to fulfil the true ends of his existence
All the faculties Of his being engage
him to action-for every appropriate
exertion of each faculty, is itself happi-
ness to him. Whatever may have been
the sphere of his efforts, the conscious
ness, that by his labors in that sphere,
he has successfully met the obligations
that were upon him, begets a higher de-
gree of self-respect and imparts Il pro-
founder satisfaction than would an eter-
nifty of inactive rest. The very fact of
having accomplished by our own labors
important ends and triumphing over
serious obstacles, disheartening difficult
ties to do this, affords to the mind rich
err and more substantial enjoyment than
all the mere pleasures ofsense combined.
No man is more restless, disseminated
and void Of true peace, and we may add
of true dignity, than he who has nothing
to do-who, having no fixed and honor
able purpose of life to arouse his ener-
gies, and call them forth in high and
continued effort, exhausts his effeminate
nature in devising schemes to kill time.
Such man may roll in wealth and riot
in the costliest luxuries, and in the pride
of his imagined Importance, look with
disdain on the masses who are busy in
their various departments of labor, buthe
is afteralla mere incumbranceo on society,
of no real value to himself or others of
ten a mere mite of live finery owing
all his attractions 10 the hairdresser
and the tailor. His wealth may give to
a few employment, and thus be OF ser
vice. but il is his wealth and not himself
that is of service, and that would be
vastly more useful if he We're not an APP
pendage to it and a burden upon it. The
honest artisan, industriousiy plying his
trade-the sturdy farmer eultivating his
fields, and even the humblest lab0rer
toiling for a hard earned and meagre sup
port from day to day,are each and all of
them happier than he, and OF greater
worth To society. They contribute
T., 6