Richland beacon., 1878-06-15
For the Richland Beacon.
''Singlenees Of Purpose"

The man who bends to the storm
unable to grapple with difficulties. is Of little
worth il lie. IL is only the positive, the de
ter,nined character, who gains the plaudits
and wears the cli.rlet Of earth's hOnor.;
measuring arms successfully with every op-
posing agency used by satan for his over
throw, that secures the admiration Of min.
istering angels sent from heaven to succor the
tempted ones in times OF trial Thus pano.
piled and made up OF this unyie lsling caIibre
he stands out in insulated prominence, high
above the common herd, and with nerves
strung to their utmost tension, with as worthy
aud lofty aim absorbing and controlling hi.
entire being and directing his every step,
"biis earth roll, nor feels its idle whirl. >
From this position of emineDce, he looks be-
low upon the sad failures Of many who
started Lf life's voyage with him, now ru-
ined and wrecked 10y ignoring these enncbing
principles, which are calculated to dignity
and adorn fallen humanity, and bring back
our race those traits ol lovcliness possessed
by our first parents, as they came from the
hand OF the Creator, unstained by sin, list
ening to the songs OF the feathered choirs, or
the rus'liny wings of the angels lowering over
aud examining this garden Of bliss, breathing
forth their sweetest music in grand serenade
before the Divine throne, its echoes blending
in glori~us tide Of melody with the chantin.
Of the morning stars, as they sang together
over the creation of the world.
Turn now to the feeble minded, the wav-
ring, vaciliaiing character, swept along the
road of dissipation. sin and death! Behold
him bowing TO the storms and tie cyclone OF
intenperance. See the haggarl, bIoatet face;
the trembling, shaky nerves; the staggering,
Teeling step. as lie goes down the fiery cham
bers of hell! Tie divine image broken, de-
faced, repulsive-all that ,vas once noble and
manly utterly gone-a poor, pi,iful wreck,
floating in the filthy cutters of intoxicating
crime, drenchcd with the nauceous exhaIa-
iions OF the doggery and the pestiierous per
tunes of the bro,l,eI! Despied and stunned
by men, aye. the very men who held TO his
ti,ir.,ing lip. the intoxicating potion! Over
him angels weep. yelling their eyes with their
white wings; while demons and spirits
damned rrjo,ce and laugh AT the deInded and
ruined wretch, chanting diaboical requiems
as this miserable skeleton of humanity is
sadly lowered into the drnnkards' grave.
Young, noble, ambitios,s youths, which this
day will you chocs~' The pathway to fame,
honor, wealth, immortality, or the broad road
to ruin, disgrace. misery. death! The way to
either is open-fke one demands courage,
power of will and noble ambition tO excel in
all that is wise and lofty and grand, ever
reaching up higher and higher, struggling to
comprehend the universe, to fati'om the in
finite depths Of mystery; to tread the firma.
ment paved with stars, to penetrate the earth
and read on its foundation rocks the record Of
its creation, to search fur the hidden sources
Of life, TO recreate the faded glories Of the
past and to :ather into the soul all that is
lovely and besutiful above it and around it,
The other demands only tn he cut loose
from all moral restraint and let dnt down
the intox cating stream Of consuming passion
drinking from all the springs and fountains Of
temptation and sin, and in dreaming revelry,
quaH the SUPPLYING cup, amid the orgies Of
the ceuiions, where oil that IL ferocious,
brutal and fien,li.h in fallen humanity exhib-
its itself in diaboIicai cur.ing; blood stained
garments and horrifyiny forms Of death and
hell. Young man, .hun the places OF sin and
these scenes Of crime rs you would the MAS
ma issuing from the PIT Of darkness, where
tears fall thick and fast, bat not in mercys
eight. Like the determined invader OF Mex
leo, after Isntli u his troops on those hostile
shores ordered one Of his men to set fire to
the fleet. Said the soldier: ''CaI'ain, how
shalt we escape il we are conqueredf "Ah
see that you are not conqueresi! The feet
was wrapped in flames and his men were
shut up to the alternative and forced to con-
quer for their own preservation. So. young
man, with your face lifted heavenwsrd. burn
Up sl.e bridges behind you leading TO the ter
ripsy of s.ssa, tie enemy Of all d'si is pure
and lovely IN eaNh, and with 6sm, unyield.
ing sep 20 forward in tie great banIc of life,
with -singteuess Of purpose, and osseaess OF
ai~s Inscribed upon your Laoner.
A. x. MACY.