Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-07-17

the greatest pleasure. For 1t Is you VINO
have established this beautiful oasis OF
learning where once there was dessert
of ignorance. You have hired teachers,
and elected officers who have always had
the interest of the school in view, and
who have made it an active agent in ut.
ting men and women for the many duties
Of life Therefore, we, the class of '79,
most heartily thank you for your kind
ness, and hoping you may derive pleas
urc and benefit from our exercises, again
bid you welcome. F. A. LAMBERT.
RUINS.
Were it not for the firm conviction that
there is power which guards and directs
the universe, an eye that never slumbers,
an ear that is never closed; were it not
for this unfal,ering trust in Divine provi-
dence, we snOuld De lelnptcu many times
in our blindness to sit down in despair, as
we contemplate the many ruins that meet
US at every turn. Ruined health, ruined
hopes, ruined reputation, ruined lives.
The cause of all this ruin may be traced
to many and various things. 1ntcmper-
Incidence, etc. 80 """ision.
Industry is essential to success. With
out this little can be accomplished in
whatever calling We may be engaged.
The moral and intellectual education of
every individual must be chiefly his own
work, for work will do more for the young
than genius. How often do we see issu-
ing from the walls Of the came college
nay, sometimes from the bosom Of the
same family-two young men, of whom
the one shall be admitted to lie genius
Of high order, the other scarcely above
the point of mediocrity, yet we see the
one depending upon his genius, wasting
precious time in recreation and pleasure,
sinking and perishing in poverty and
obscurlty, a miserable ruin; while we
observe the mediocre Flooding his slow
but sure way, gaining steadfast footing at
every step, and mounting at length to
eminence and distinction, an ornament
to his family, blessing to his country.
Men are the architects of their respect
i've fortunes. The majority Of dis,in-
guished men have been raised to emf
hence through intense application and
industry. Method and punctuality should
form prominent part in our life-work.
Nothing sooner detracts from ones
standing than failure to fulfil engage.
ments. Ruin is often brought upon men
of small means, because obligations are
not discharged at the time appointed. The
ruin of one often involves the ruin of
others. L"rd Nelson said that he owed
his success to being ready five minutes
before hand for every appointment.
Washington was never known to forget
or disregard an engagement, however
unimportant.
Another very important element Of
character is decision. Without this no
one can succeed. Without decision he
will lack confidence in himself, will con-
stant!y change his plans, will have no
fixed opinions, and be swayed hither and
thither. by every wind.
Opportunities, we'll employed, are the
rounds Of the ladder which, when mount.
ed, bring US within the realization of
those am bilious desires for whose achieve
mcnt we have so laboriously striven.
Opportunities rarely come to those who
sit with folded hands in idle anticipation
of the blessings they will confer. Its
recipients are those who, being actively
engaged in the turmoil Of lite, unconsci-
ously have gone to meet them, and with
intellect rendered keener and brighter
by worldly conflict, advantageously use
them, TO further tAs;g spGcess8S opbb5SrSiuc;
t!es' "hen we saok anl tuein, become |
the stepping stones which lead US toward
inc attainment OF our aspirations.
Ibe ruin caused by intemperance ia
appalling. Oh, fallen humanity! We
turn heartsick away from the revolline
slgnt. Miserable as the home Is. where
q drunken father is hourly expected,
how much more wretched mnst that place
30 kept by drunken mother, where the
little Children turn in terror away from
her who should be their best ear,hlv
friend. Oh the hopes that are blasted.
The homes that are made desolate and
transformed into ruins bY this great sin
Of intemperance.
Extravagance is frequent cause of
ruin: History teaches US that the ancient I
republics OF Greece and Rome, fell when I
me people forsook their simple ways and ~,
'ecame luxurlous, and their ruins remain ]
IS SAD memento Of former greatness.
A1amlly conclude to buy home. They ,
rave on hand q sum sufficient to make the .
'rst payment, and mortgage is given as -
ecurlty Tor tue balance. But when they :.
re once fairly settled in their new home.
ney md the place does not quite suit
mem, and bay window is built on the r
ooth sioe, Q veranda in front, kitchen II
aodeo. ut Is much more convenient" j
out wnen the next payment is due, there 8
nothlng with which to pay. The
money mas all gone to pay Tor the i'm. ii
'rovements' The mortgage is foreclosed e
nd they find, to their sorrow. that thew n
ave been improving aud beau,ifyine
mothers home, and. hope is IN ruins. 4 I
title selEdenial, q little economy. and I
heir disappointment would have been
v0ided. -
Unkind words make RUNS. How manv c
oble resolutions have been ouenched: G
ow many hopes destroyed for want Of p
ind, encouraging words. It takes but d
little mite sumetimes to turn the scales o
! the right direction; but a uifle of at. h
'ntlon to restore dropping plant to
tie; but little sunshine and A few 4
rops of rain to set q Rainbow in the Il
louds; but q little nourishmeut to i'm. v
art comfort to the starving man: but a
tile rope to save the drowning. Nv
Therefore, le: US work, work for the m
[as'er, while it is yet day; work to re- nj
aim the weak and erring from ruiz. o1
I'd working. trust that good shall be the "
nal end Of all. MABEL A. Patterson.
The Pleasure Of Memory. "a
We are placed in this beautiful world -,
u merely to live, die, and be forgotten; "
ut to perform a destined life-work. Is
ONE are appointed 10 perform great al
'eds, while others are ordained to lead y,
more unassuming, though no less use. D,