Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-10-17

A@tN~~t A~tE~~%~@ ~~~~@s~ -
hight.
On through the Labyrinth Of Science
they go, unheeding distractions till the
desired end is gained. With micro
scopic power they look into that place
of many windings--the human heart
revealing those all pervading something's
called emotions, encouraging the dcs-
pairing, giving drink 10 the thirsty soul,
feasting the hungry heart. making the
sunbeams to peep through the clouds.
Man falls from his sublime height
when he abuses his prerogatives-when
he becomes the tyrant, cfushes the weak
or defenceless, lures the unwary and
conlding hon the right path, toys with
woman's heart. exposes her 10 comment
or ridicule. calumniates her, blighis her
life, sowing the seed of distrust sn sile
pure and innocent heart.
The upas tree IS moi more deadly in
its influence than is he who 50 conde-
seends, who thinks II no degradation TO
commit wrong againstiriendshiP when
there is no one TO avenge it, no punish
ment entailed, no danger Of discovery,
who finds no beauty, no charm In yir-
tue, who recognizes no good, no purity
in another; who has not the strength Of
will to resist temptations, to shun the
occasions Of sin; who consecrates has
time to an unworthy object, his talents
to uncreditahle pursuits; who wastes
his energies in idleness, who scatters
the seed Of scandal or calumnY--in
word, who forgets his dignity as-manl
How grand, how noble is the true
man.
Like a mountain with upturned brow
he stands immovable amidst the vicis-
situdes Of lite.
Let the winds blow ever so fercely,
the storm rage, mistaken he stands
strong with conscious rectitude. Alas +!
there is many a Calypso who would
lure man, Ulysses like, from his honor,
his home and duties and there are Circes
too who transform them into brutes.
But the means 10 escape are open to
them, the power to resist is theirs.
The saddest of all sights is ruined
life, a fallen star and ah so often We
meet with them.
Our hearts are touched even TO tears
when we look upon one born to rule,
10 be lamp, as it were, TO other feet,
content to crawl, TO sun himself IN bor-
rowed light.
Thoughts too deep for tears" come
10 us when we see him ignore his re-
sponsibilities, forget his dignity, abuse
his talents, sport with honor, who en-
tiers like the serpent and like II. leaves
a sting, who is weak in the battle with
self, who bends beneath the storm Of
affection or adverse circumstances. We
long to help him, TO bid him be true 10
himself, to take up the broken threads
and weave them into "thing OF beau
ty;" to restore him TO his former digni-
ty, that sun-like he may difIuse the light
ofhappiness, the warmth ofjoy on hearts
that need his influence.
Effort is the anvil on which charac-
ters are moulded. Will the hammer.
Even they who have sold their birth
right can reclaim it; they can return to
their greatness.
Firm determination as guide can ac-
complish wonders. II is said Of Ar
chimedes that he boasted give him
fulcrum for q lever and he could raise
the world.
Man is a microcosm, but with full
crum, a motive, few things are inPos-
sible TO him.
Every event with which his free
agency enters is proof of this.
No man is utterly selfish. II is true
many scrupulOusIy observe (as far as
their pleasure is cOncerned) the first
law of nature, still the susceptibility to-
motive finds its fulcrum outside Of the
possessor.
Complete isolation is destructive 70
all noble ASPIRATIONS and impulses. II
would be as easy for a man TO lift him
self over an obstruction, by grasping the
straps Of his boots, as for his heart to
overcome difficulties without motive
beyond self. The more home ties
man has, the greater the incentive TO do,
the more probability, Micawber-like,
his spirits Will be kept up, sustained by
the power Of anticipation, the happy
faculty of always looking for something
to "turn up"
Man is the architect of bis own fu-
ture. On himself materially depend
the beauty and durability of the struc-
ture--On himself, TO deserve and bear
without abuse the grand old name Of
gentleman"
EDrTH NoRroS.