The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-04-20
Earn Your Own Living.

There was time not 50 long ago when
it was considered a disgrace for one who
had the feelings and culture of gentle
man to earn his own living. But a new
spirit has arisen. Prophets have spoken
their words of praise in honor of work,
and their voices have abashcd into silence
and Aippant scorn. "Thc modern majes-
ty consists in work." says Mr.. Carlyle.
"What man can do is his highest orna-
ment, and he always consults his dignity
by doing it,"
No doubt in the hard stress of duty it
is difficult to believe that labor is both
honorable, and, in every good sense, help
full. When we see people born into lux
ury and case, commanding, by word,
advantages, which, after life long efforts,
we cannot compass, it is not surprising if
feeling of dissatisfaction should. un-
consciously, creep into the heart, and
dim conviction spring up that somehow
justice is at fault. Yet, if we took a
larger view VIC should speedily perceive
that all the advantages arc not on their
side. in a complaining mood we may
speak of our unfortunate lot," which
compels lis 10 drudge on through the
dreary days, never spending penny
which wc had not first earned; but
wiser outlook would often teach us con-
tentmcnt Now in laboring even in the
humblest occupations, we are not only
obeying Divine law, and adding to the
welfare of the world, but we are increas-
ing Our own capacity as men and women,
developing qualities that are born by
wrestling with hardship. 1t is true that
some persons in spite of their wealth and
circumstances of comfort, do display
nobility of spirit, a strength Of virtuous
manhood and womanhood unsurpassed in
any sphere of life; but it is because they
are not content to remain idle, but throw
their energies into some service for hu-
manity which evokes and trains those
very qualities which distinguish them,
and that always does enlist the admira-
ton of the world. All honor to such Yet
the temptation is to many, should l be
uncharitable if I said to most, all the
other way? To be satisfied with those
surroundings in which they are born, to
let themselves be ministered unto and do
no ministering, to put forth no particular
exertion for any desired object, every one
can see what will become of a life like
that. 1t cannot be developed into any
thing true and noble, it must remain
dwarfed, stunted and selfish. But those
who are cast upon their resources, those
who have to think, to labor with hands
or brains, or both, or those who find
every step onward conflict, and every
step backward loss, are in position to
acquire some of the grandest virtues that
can adorn human character. Independ-
ence, self.sacrifce, calm endurance, pa
tient waiting-these are the natural fruits
of life of labor, and they are worth
more than all the wealth OH which mems
hearts set their ambition. Remember,
too, that it is not the kind of work that a
man does that is honorable, but the spirit
which he carries into it, the way in which
he does it. 1t is not the work that makes
the man honorable or not, but the man
that imparts character to the work. The
day laborer carrying his hod honestly
and industriously, giving a fair days
work for his wages, has more honorable
occupation than the stock exchange
swinder, who "bears" the market and
speculates to the peoples ruin. The
worker is everything, not, may be, in the
estimation of society, but in an essential
reality of things which exist behind these
temporary arrangements and condition Of
human affairs.