The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-04-25
For the New Era.
LEISURE PENCILINGS.
'sGo away, Homer. I beg of YOU; Won
BY BRAINERD.

w away, I1olnef, neg Oh you; you
are making me forget my duty.
Such We're the opening words OF a
most entertaining story which lately
read, anu the thought occurs to me
that all Of us have frequent occasion to
make asimiiar appeal. Alas, that the
world should be SO full of "IIomers',
Alas, that there should be so many in-
f1!ences to hinder Us in the discharge of
those things that are made incumbent
and obligatory upon us An enuElera-
tion of them all would be indeed a tedi-
Gus task but a brief mention of a few of
the most prominent thereof will not be
out Of place.
The pursuit of wealth, stands out con-
spicuo1ls!y as one Of the most effective
'l1oners' to allure mankind from the
path of duty. How often do we see
men neglecting the plainest require
ments Of morality, and lisregarding the
dictates OF All enlightened conscience in
the feverisll strife for the possession of
the golden dross. The addition of dol
lar 10 their Golfers seems to be deemed
a full remuneration for all Outrages up
on honesty and justice. The demands
of duty if they conflict with their own
selfish designs are unhoard and unheed-
ed, and upon the polluted altar of Mann
mon they sacrifice the truest and noblest
emotions Of the heart. The claims Of
kindred, philanthropy and cha ,ity are
to them as idle tales, and bound fast in
the letters of money worship they
tread rutllessly upon all those things
that elevate and dignity poor fallen hui
manits Oh! that some mighty power
would exercise this fell spirit from the
heart ct man, and restore the victims of
this base tyranny to the freedom of a
true, upright and conscientious man
hood.
But many other things, in greater
Or less degree, exert the same deleteri-
Gus influence over us. The love of mon
ey is by no means the only "Homer'
with which we have to contend in our
journey from the cradle to the tomb.
Almost at every step some new one
meets Us. Nearly every person has to
contend with those that possess peculiar
power over them. To some persons
the syren song of earthly pleasure pos
seSses an almost irresistible power, and
led on thereby they wan'ler Ear away
from the path Of duty, and amid the
gilded inazes, and from the unsatisfying
fountains of sensual enjoyment attempt
to satisfy the sou-longing for happiness.
With jeweled hand and winning smile
Fame beckOns the young aspirant for
worldly honor, and dazzlcd thereby, he
turns from the apparently humber and
less honorable fields Of life's duty, and
seeks upon the alluring h lights ofearth-
ly glory and position, a compensation
for the abandonment of conscientious
action and soul-rectitude. In the beau
tiful guise of human friendship a hide
Gus ''Homero is not seldom hidden,
and led on by this sweet influence
many persons forget duty and sacrifice
all those rich rewards that flow from a
faithful discharge thereof Many other
'Homers' might he mentioned but
enough haYe doubtless been referred to
to awaken attention. Oh, that we We're
all more on our gua~d-lnore vigilant to
detect, more ready to counteract these
manifold influences that increasingly
WOO us from tho right and make lis for
get our duty! These 'sisomcfs' ere
false friends, their charms are deceptive,
their dulcet songs are dirges in disguise,
their products are like
Dead sea fruits that temptthe eye
But turn to ashes on the lip
The purest pearls of happiness-the
sweetest fruits joy and peace are ever
found along the path that duty bids us
tread. Whoever unshrinki ely treads
that path, although at times it may lead
him amid arid deserts and over blank
hilltops, will find himself unexpected
ly sustained end encouraged, and will
ultimately receive glorious reward Of
all his cares, labors and sacrifices.
Our little but old town is gradually
improving, Mr.. Caleb Tate having
this spring opened miscellaneous store,
at his old stand, on West Main st. near
the city limits.
Our merchants have visited the cas-
tern market for spring supplies-our
farmers arc busiiy engaged iii plough
Ing; new goods to sell, and new crops in
prospect with which to buy.
Iie Lutheran congregation in this
place have extended a call to Rev. Mr..
Kuhn, formerly Of Frederick Co. Md,
to become their pastor. He has accep-
ted and will preach here regularly every
third Sabbath.
The Presbyterian Sabbath School, un-
der the s,,perintendance of James Park,
Esq, has reorganized for the summer.