The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-10-26
Success in Life.

One of the most alarming signs Of the
times. Ia to be seen in the universal hon.
age paid to success-regardiess OF the
means by which it was attained. Success
is the only criterion by which a man is to
be Judged, and attaining that, in any walk |
of life, he is a model to be commended and
admired, If he succeed ia amassing wealth, |
no matter how attained, the dead is not
more free from criticism, than the pulled
magnate who uses that wealth IN Ignorant
moraiization of the community in which he !
reside. II a man attains position and pro-
minence in public life, welding power and
influence, he is fawned upon and followed
by the needy and interruptions coufted
or feared, the respectable masses, loesing
isht of the ignobIe means, the dishonesty,
fraud and corruption which cling like
Garment about him, count his success
virtue, and he struts his day, poisoning
the very atmosphere of political life with
his corruption and vice. So in every walk
of life, success is the criterion; and heienly
| ia successfnl who puts money in his ptlrse,
or elbows his way by fraud and cunning
This feeling and sentiment is spreading
like poison through the national life. we
are said to be fast peopie--aimose law
unto ourselves.and we nave eertain , 10.
/ frsk among them the true standard OF sue.
cass and manhood, and placed In its stead
this modern g josh - of gold and honored
its votaries, though their success was won
by the loss Of every virtue which Goo conn
mands. The public aentinent is deoancaeu,
and we see its fruit in the low standard OF
. public and private life which the pulpit
and the press deplores: We are worse
!; chan In Europe to-day for there they will
not honor wealth dishonesty obtained,
! | nor give high places to corrupt or desigu-
ing knayes pay by dsy brings tlalngS o,
a s.rinesD and monopolies chooses" plum.
4 derinK Legislatures weak and yenial, anc
= a public sentimeut turgid, low and apa'
a Ithetic. SO in finance, we have the same
= standard, and sentiment; the same coas
!. Of morals aud OF laws. We worship ths
). golden calf, though but thinly shrouded b!
a the veil Of success. - "a ~,
We have drifted fer from the true stand
n ard of success in Life. We have grown 81
q fast into materialsm that the old virtue
!. are forgotten. The stern patriotism, ant
: honesty of the fathers of the Republic ar
/ read az pleasing fiction; while the homes
\ poyerty. pure life, simple charity, AM
70 aturdy manhood are laughed to scorn
a We must learn from new masters. w
20 must learn that man was ereated ZOE
i. higher purpose than serving the "oTla 1a
IL gathering up riches or honors. Let q
~ look into the attributes which God ha
+ given us-noble in every puisation-,an
a AJAX our hearts il there is not somet9in
~ | more noble to labor for, h1gher sCanoar
!. orexcellenee and usefulness, porer nis
"a sion to fulfill, than pride of wealth, or ius
~ of nower. at, loss Of our immortal sou
a SUCCESS 10 life is not measured ov tens
- thousands, and he is bat q fool who deem
% il so. Success is not measured by an
worldly advantage or power. ihey on.
- arc snccessful who in every walk oil I'M,
an seek to do their duty to themselves, the
no neiohbor and their God aud though poo
+ ma lazarus, their reward will be the sann
=. We must teach our youth to love tue wi
=, the the heroisun, and the sacrifice vino
- make men give up life itself t. bcnei
h. others to love the ruth, to honor wort
;6 and emulate the lives OF men who trod u
-. path of poverty aud faced death soon,
~ than betray their honor aud their trut
" Jndqed by the modern standard, ever
e. noble soul that struggled for man, Is
nd failure. The pure Emmett died IN val
in and every missionary of the Cross waste
~ bis life away. We must a wake the hero
~, lin man, and if he gives his life upon u
al. battle plain, point him TO a moral hernis
H. bevopd it. The man who bravely do
IA bis duty 10 whatever 6eld he may
ara placed striving in sincerity and 10 truth
il leave tho world better for his living
-, ir and who makes one heart better al
stronger for his aid ; whose life is shini
,cr Iight for virtue aud integrity, and "
~, sneake and acts Gods will and truth, 4
'od greater success, without dollar, than I
,nr souIless clod who counts his millions
j..