Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-06-22
Necessity.

We call necessity the mother of in
vention, but wonder why this partlcu
lar mother does not show some clear
way for every member to get to the
place of duty when they are especially
demanded. labor to keep alive in
your breast that little spark of celestial
fire, ronscience," was one Of the many
lnaxims which Washington framed or
copied for his own use when boy.
(" His rigid adherence to principle, his
steadfast discharge of duty, his utter
abandonment of self, his unreserved
devotion to whatever interests were
committed to his care, attest the vigil
auce with which he Obeyed that
MAXIM" That spark was kept alive
by him, and he made it shine forth as
a star to he followed by all men and
all nations. He kindled it into fame
which made glorious his whole life.
No occasion was 30 mOmentOus, no
circumstance SO minute, as to make
him for moment depart from the
path lighted by its rays.
1t is a popular saying, that every
young American is working with the
aim that he may some day be the
President of the United States Why
not adept that same motto that led
our Washington to be called the
Father of his Country" az well asits
President. We never heard of a wise,
good, and useful man Who did not
have some determination of purpose
some high aim towards which he ever
strove, and which height he reached
when he shone forth as one of the
worlds stars. Every degree of emf
nence is reached by effort: after effort
being made, and none vas ever known
to shine forth from ignorance and in.
action. The human intellect is 10 con
sti:uted that it can only grow by its
Own actions and iiee will and by
them it will certainly grow. Every
man must educate himself; lie may
have helpers, but the work is his. An
educated man has the ability to sum
mon, in an emergency, all his mental
powers in vigorous exercise to effect
his proposed object; and it is Oniy he
who depends upon self discipline that
can do this.
I" No man ever male an i'll figure
who understood his own talants, nor d
good one who mistO0k them We dt
not 50 often fail in the pursuits of life
for lack of ability, as for want of study
OF the power OF our minds. A muder
ate gilt OF intellect, well directed, will
accomplish more than an indiscreel
application Of the most brilliant quail
fications. We should, therefore, study
ourselves, and aim to find out tn,
average talents We possess, and by
trying to make the best use OF them
we can hardly 1aii " make good
tigre i'm the world, and besides this We
shall have the consciousness vi being
among those who. live not in vain.
.Siare moments are the gold dust
of time" Then let US ill up the little
spaces of life with something that will
make it's record glitter. Time is a
priceless gift of God to humanity, and
We should weigh well not only it,
minutes but its seconds. If. we copy
after Natures great plan, we shall
learn that not a moment need! be un
employed. Our duty to our Creator
the employment of our talents. and
the giving of charity to those less
favored than ourselves, will call fol-
our whole life. We cannot estimate
the true value OF hours and minutes
but we can compare it to the gather
ing Of PARTICLES OF gold, which, when
collected, become valuable. So if We
expect to be the happy reapers Of the
fruits Of well-spent time, We must faith
fully garner aud clRster times golden
fragments. As the minute PARTICLES ol
g0ld-dust glitter in the sun, ~ shall
our little acts shine forth at the scrUti
ny of still Greater Power.