Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-08-29

States. ii. +. II.
List week ~ cI'ed attention to the
graduation OF Miss 5. E. Ripley OF Paris,
at Ionia, Michigan, and spoke OF an essay
she then delivered. 1t is beautiful in
composition and full OF valuable thought
We place it before our readers feeling
confident they will be bene ited by its
wholesome lessons AS we'll As entertained
by its sprightly style.
TIME. THE WARP OF LIFE.
NIture furnishes many beautiful and
striking Illustrations OF our sutlect. As
The seasons come aud 90, eac1 bringing
is various dI'lts aud pleasures, lite les-
sons may DO learned. Let US listen for
iew moments 70 ih5 story OF yOuder
giant OAK. now towering in lofty pride
above many ot its forest companions.
Through Tue loud rushing OF It's huge
branches. the OAK says: Al my earliest
recollection was a slender, Tiny shoot
striving TO obtain view OF the beauty
and magnillcence around me. Birds
were singing in the oYerhanglng branches
through which. at lines, | caught
glimpse OF the golden sun IN the clear
blue sky, o. saw the soft clouds glide
along the canopy OF heaven; aud near
n,e silyery Urooklet, DhJbling low
amidst the tangled woods, found It's way
among mos.- grown stones and fragrant
wild flowers I was filled with sdmira-
ton and awe. And, as looked at the
.l...1 .flshs 4
he yenward, an intense desire % become
ike one OF them took possession OF me.
From that iime SET abou. ms lie work.
The warm sunshine and the friendly
showers aided me until the lrosts o!
autumn came. Then | knew there was
rest Tor season, by which | might gain
strength so - % renew my work With
greater energy when the warmth OF
sprlngtime should again appear. Thus
toied on attaining the greatest height
possible during each year, tlil, AT last,
stand ia all my grandeur, shade tor
such llorsl beauty a thrlve' not IL The
glare OF the bold sun. And now, rs /
realize nj The enjoyment anticipated so
long agon, | would bring this truth 20
Tue mind "a MORALS The manner 10
which the tin1e is employed chdracicr;.eS
the lttc."
Inus the oak tree, aud, in 4 similar
manner, all nature teaches that Time Is
the warp oi Life" At the longest, life
IS but short. and that life consists OF
words and deeds interviewer with golden
time. The warp Of life we can truly Gait
golden. but the entire fabric itself VII.
appear Drig ht aud useful, OF glowing aud
worthless. according as we weave IN tue
wool OF owing thoughts. kind words aud
noble deeds. or worthless threads OF en-
vyIBgs and strife. Strange that the
golden warp should ever be filed with
threads so dark rs % obscure its bright
ness! Beautiful The fabric woven OF
delicate hued and carefully prepared
ibres, rendering the web one OF dazzling
beauty and lovolne,s In history We
study the characters Of past ives. Some.
We find noble examples OF time well
spent. while others clearly illustrate
what might have been"
Action is always the result OF motive.
Accordingly noble acts, or pralseworthy
deeds, indicate mind governed by the
principles of truth and right. In the his
torv of lie characterized by deeds OF
loyal bravery. by acts OF noble seli-sacri-
ice tor the right. or by iligcnt and per-
severiug effort 10 make the most Of LIES
briet Journey, We dnd a source OF en-
courage ment and beneficial instruction.
In slch lie We may see mistakes; but
we shall ~ certainly observe that these
very mistakes were aids and not hiu
drances; for, is il not true that often the
sadiest errors are sources OF the greatest
benefits? need not cite you TO lives OF
eminent men who through mistakes have
become stronger, and have thus rendered
their names more il!u striOus. Such eX-
amp.es are familiar TO all. Often ones
best deeds are prompted, though perhaps
unconsciously, by the noble example OF
another.
Such are many OF the illustrations
which Gid the pages ot the past, as give
to the present that knowledge which Il
might Otherwise take years 10 gain. Not
only does a true aud noble act accomplish
the direct object in view. but 1t may in
directly exert an extended Influence for
good The blossom can not tell VIVA,
becomes of its odor which ills the all
with such fragrance. We do not know
what becomes Of the Influence OF exam
ole which goes beyond our sight on It's
perilous mission. But we do know that
it is an important duty to make that ex-
ample such as we would desire others TO
follow. Aud by so doing We go not I'M
rewarded.
81 shot an arrow into the air.
II tell TO earth, knew not where
For 30 swiftly il hew, the sight
Could not follow II IN It's Night
breathed n song into the air,
II fell 10 earth, knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong
That can follow the Hight OF song
Long, long afterwards in an oak
found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning 70 end,
/ found again in the heart OF frlend.'
The reflex influence OF worthy acts
upon character we can never estimate,
but it is assuredly great. A noble sacrl-
Gee which costs the relinquishment ot
fopdly cherished hopes, not only benefits
some deserving one. but gives strength
20 character more desirable than mines OF
gold. A kind word spoken to one dis
couraged al the result OF earnest en-
deavor. brightens more than one lille and
has a salutary effect upon more than one
character. Abundant time is given us
tor improvement and the accomplishment
of life's work, but none is 10 be wasted;
and upon the manner OF employing the
lime depends the character OF the life
work. We do not by any means consld.
er that every moment should be employed
in some work. Our natures are such as
require rest. enjoyment and recreation in
order TO gain strength for greater activity
in our various employ yments; and, as we
have no control OF time, we'll Tor US If it
be diligently improved, thus enabling US