Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-01-19
SOhrietT.


To the young, full of life and viva
city, the idea of sObriety frequently
suggests a depressing gloom and an
austere gravity utterly at variance
with the natural animation and spirit
of their years. Admitting it to be an
excellent virtue in the mature and the
aged, it is yet esteemed heavy, formal
and distasteful to youth, and caleulat-
ed to drain from it the ardOr and en-
thusiasm which are its chief attrae-
tions. But it needs no lengthy argu-
ment to prove how superficial is such
view. Sobriety or sober-minded-
ness is simply the preponderance OF
sound reason, and includes the ability
of forming correct judgements, and
the habit of carrying them out in
practical life. No youth would will
lingly resign any portion of his reas-
on, still less would he desire habitual-
ly to act in opposition to it. But
properly exercised, sobriety no more
damps the zeal or subdues the spirit
of youth than it adds wrinkles to the
brow of age. 1t is indeed opposed to
folly, absurdity, and extravaganza of
every form. 1t prevents extremes,
checks what is ridiculous, restraints
folly, but forbids no happy laugh,
and curtails no reasonable source of
enjoyment. So far from this, the
thoughtful use of the reason which
sobriety implies, absolutely inculcates
the sprightliness and vivacity natural
to youth as the gravity suitable to
age.
While the sobriety of youth will de-
tract nothing from its real pleasures,
it will, on the contrary, lay the only
sure basis for permanent happiness
The principles of truth, justice, mer-
cy, and love, which form the founda-
tion of all the happiness that exists
IN the world, do not grow and flour
ish spontaneously. Though their
germs lie in every human breast, they
need the offices of a sound reason and
wise Judgment to bring them into
fruition. Sobriety in youth will cor
rect mere impressions of fancy and
feeling; not sweeping them away, but
guiding them into their true channels,
and assigning them their properrank.
1t will change the fiuctuating and al
ternating results of mere emotion into
a steady, calm independence Of mind
and conduct, and will give a settled
aim and purpose to the life, that shall
effectually prevent its becoming the
sport of circumstances.
It's tendency to restrain is only
manifested in what is evil and hurt
full. 1t lays its gentle hand of warn
ing upon the appetites, passions, temp
er and fancies, not to crush them, but
to limit their indulgencet to the bounds
of reason and good sense. Sobriety
/ is needful for the successful pursuit o.
any of life's objects. A thOughtless
flippant habit of mind, that rushe:
into ill-advised projects, or pursue:
laudable ones in erroneous ways, viii
ensure disaster, while the sober-mind
ed youth who considers all points
adapting the schemes of life to hi
character and qualifications, anC
bringing a sound judgment to bea
upon all his methods, will rarely fai
of attaining his aims. No young per
son need consider the sober secont
thought hard master, but rather
gentle adviser and wise though Low
ing friend and guide. It may be re
garded as a well-tried and sympathiz
ing counselor, leading us not out of tn
paths of cheerfulness and pleasure
but into those which, happy in them
selves, lead to happiness in the future
l-PhilGdeLl1hiG Ledger.