The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-23

stripped, robbed her. aud left her bleeding by
the waysidp. Mol what the age wants ia good
men and true men OF intelligence, men of moral
principle, men OF action, men OF decision OF
character, men Of courage, meu OF vertebral
columns, that in God and couutry's name can
stand up against the TIDE OF corruption, both in
high and low place, aud turu 1t back.
Yes, these are what the age and the country
want. These ever constitute the hope, the
glory, and the strength of the State and the
Church. great poet once asked the question;
"what constitutes the state? ?"
And thus he nobly answered;-
Not high.raised ba.l enlsnts OF labored mound,
Not cities pTons, win spires and turres crowned;
Not bays aud broad armed ports,
Where, Laughing at the storm rich nsviea ride;
Where low browd 6sseness watts perfume to pride;
WIN powes49oyea % dull orn1es ud endned, ,uas
Bu know Il er rights, HnS, knowing dare maintain;
Prevent the long Rimeu blow, ,,
Ana crush TIE .yrnG5 while they rend the ceaini
But it NAV now be asked il these be the great
responsibilities, expec atlons, and opportunities
that gather about tue pathway OF the young
men OF THIS generation How may tney pest
with strength for the taek? How, IN
a word, comply with the injunction
of the text, and BE siroug' ana snow
themselves men, reply, frs5 OF all -
l. Let every oung man pause at the very
beginning OF bis career, AID mark out thought.
fully, decisively Toe great plan and purpose OF
what profession he shall folio1 p, what particular
branch OF business pursue, out what shall be
the great leading purpose aud principle OF his
hie in whatsoever sphere or profession he may
labor. i think 1t is hardly pos ,lble 10 ogeriate
the importance and influence OF such dellbe-
Iateiy planned purpose Of LIE.
No mariner sets forth upon voyage without
plan OF that voyage and Clearly conceived
destiny in his mental veWs shall the young
man, freighted with reason aud immortal
faculties, voyaging through life but once, and
such vast and enduring interests depending
upon that yoyage-shall be launch forth wi hout
Plan or purpose? Or with a plan or purpose
unworthy the dignity of his nature and the
splendor of the destiny that opens Its jasper
thousand times no! No, let him
arise and shake himself from all droweiness.
Let him spurn for one holy hour, at least, the
temptation Cf ease and the Establishments OF
pleasure Let him break away from the bond
age OF all unmauly habit, and, like Il brave, true
soul, resolve, under GOD, calmly, solemnly,
hun ascend to some Pisgah-top, some lofty
mount of vision, from whose summit "the whole
land that remalneth 10 be possessed" shall be
clearly visible, and there, scorniug TO be hood
winked by the Devil or cheated by vain ilu-
sions, let KIM calmly take the survey of the
whole field of his privileges his responsibilities,
and his opportunities. Let him do impartial
Justice to the claims and dignity OF his whole
nature-body, mind, and soul; and of his whole
existeuCe-pIesent aud eternal future Aud
then, with God above him, and the world before
ask himself the solemn question, For what shall
l live? What shall be the grand aim and pur-
pose of my earthly life? Shall live for the
shortlived and degrading pleasures of sin, or
for the eDnUbline aud enduring pleasures of
righteousness? Shall | live Tor selfish ease and
houor, or the glory of God and welfare OF
humanity Am | only higher order of animal
whose loitiest am oition should be to build a
better house than the beaver; to amass more
stores than the bee; to travel farther than the
swallow: 10 rival the bptteriy in dress and the
nightingale in song? Or am l an immortal
soul allied to Deity, before whom heaven filings
wide its gates of Rold aud pointing TO fields of
sacrifice and labor on earth, and then to thrones
and princpaitles and domlniOns above, that
glow and brighten with eternal splendor, bids
me go forth, aud, though unworthy of The
least, to strive for the loftest. assuring me that
II ] do l shall not strlVe in vain. These, or
similar are the questions that o young man
should Put TO his soul in this solemn hour of
survey fnd decisiOu:- Aud having thus dellbe-
rately adopted q noble ann, a lofty purpose, q
divine principle OF action, let him show himself
q man by reVerng and obeyiDg it. Let him, by
the help OF Divine Grace, make it the Law of his
life, which no temptation, or interest or aeCi-
dent shall ever induce him to swerye from.
Let 1t 6e the lamp OF mis- feet and the light Of
his path and let hlm turn neither TO the right
haLd nor 10 the lett from Its Divinely illumined
track. Come what wll-thOuRh the heavens
fail let no ot or title OF this law be marred
or dishUnored or uufulGlled by him. such an
ea'ly, honest, absolute surrender of the soul to
high principle and lofty aim will bring to the
which can hardly be conceived; and therefore
put it first. 1t shall be to the young soul a
talisman before which evil spirits shall cry out
i'll despair or be smitten dumb with terror. 1t
shall be his best passport to excellence, Icputa.
tou, usefulness, and the hearts and praise of
coed men. 1t shall be his magic word, at toe
sound of which barred doors and gates shall
fly wide, admitting him to all choice and
precious things. Again:-HaVing adopted this
lofty aim, and resolved to be true 10 it, let the
young roul show himself a man. by
never being ashamed of his principles
and aims. Scorn Goncealment in this
matter Put out your true colors to the gaze
of men and and angels. Like the patriotic tar,
nail your coors to the mast. There is false
prudence aud mock modesty which inculcates
the opposite method. 1t dlscourages confession
as savoring OF ostentaton. But, generally, this
is but the off. pring of coWaTdice-a poltroon's
evasion. 1t is well and sale to stand committed
to the right, that the world may kno W in advance
where TO find us in the day of trial. The la VS.
of Athens held that citizen an enemy TO the
State who remained neutral in any important
crisis or question OF general interest. Aud the
Redeemer OF the world has given to this just |
principle the sanction OF religion. 1t IS only |
those who confess Him before men whom He
will confess before His Father or the angels in |
heaven. Stand therefore boldly aud openly |
over on the right side; and count no sacrifice |
great which Is necessary to maintain your
principles!
"Let all the 'envs thou aim'ssnt
BE thy uni rys, GJd's and truths,
Then II thou Ellest
ThCu tall d. a blessed martyr!'
Having adopted and ayowed your aim and !
principle of action, do all IN your power 90 |
equip yourself for manly aud successful !
career. Improve your mini; seize The golden |
opportunities this age affords you tor ob.aIniug .
all the treasures OF wisdom aud knowledge. IL |
is Divine injunction to "gVe attention TO .
rPadng,n 10 "study to show yourselves ap-
proved unto God.n oh! 1t is noole thing 10
unfold these wondrOus mental powers God has .
II al D. 70 naly tp.rth T.