The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-09-22
PRACTICAL MEN.


lation of things-their relative value-is
the sum and substance of all philosophy.
Philosophy is very grand-sounding
name, but he is the true philosopher,
however little he may be versed in the
jargon of the schools, who is endowed
with the practical wisdom to take the
true measure of the things which he sees
around him, and to rate each at it's true
value. Every man, from the unlettered
laborer to the most highly trained sa-
want, has his ideal-his ideal conception
of what is most excellent of all the things
In the world. Boys have their ideals,
and these standards of what is valuable
vary as the boy progresses in years. The
youth looks back with feeling of pity
on the objects which had amused his
childhood, and is confident that his esti-
mate of things is about what it ought to
be. The young man is more confident
still, and looks backward and forward
with about equal scorn on the pursuits of
those either younger or older than him
self Hence the saying, Young people
think old people fools" The grown-up
man, advanced to middle life, is but a
grown-up boy, with new playthings, and
new objects of desire The old man won
ders at the follies of the young, although
ne may remember that he passed through
precisely the same stage of illusion.
We all dream more or less in our pro
gress through life, and to form correct
estimates, and to correct the illusions
which our imperfect mental vision prac-
tises on us, should be the aim of every
thoughtful spirit. Human life itself is
tremendous illusion experienced, in a
greater or less degree, by every person
at some stage of his existence. To the
young the little span of seventy years
which bounds our career in this world
seems a very large object-an absorbing
and almost inexhaustible quantity of
time Death seems something very, very
remote, and hardly an object of consider
alton in the formation of our plans En-
tering upon manhood one forms pur-
pose of becoming great scholar; that is
his ideal. Another forms the purpose to
become great lawyer; that is his ideal.
Another is dazzled with the genius of
Lord Byron, and proposes to become
great poet. Another does not value
books, and is without ambition, but cher
lshes for his ideal vision of riches, and
sets out with the purpose of becoming
money-king. The ideal of another is to
be man of fashion, and he aims to be a
brilliant society man, and to talk about
wines and pictures and horses.
1t is the part Of wisdom to be able to
ascertain which Of these is the most val
liable, and to fix with some precision the
exact value which may belong to the one
or the other. That very few men do this
is well known most men live life of
folly, and the bubble which they have
been pursuing bursts when the chase of
life is over, and leaves them conscious
that the life which they have lived has
been nothing better than an empty dream.
The so-called practical men of the
world look with great contempt on those
who spend their lives in such way as to
fail Of securing for themselves the com
forts and luxuries Of life, or that power
which gives them control over other men.
The practical mantle man Of ability
has the faculty Of discriminating as to
what is worthy of his efforts and how to
apply those efforts, and he extricates him
self from those illusions which amuse the
weak and the visionary in their expe-
rience Of life. Such man was Caesar
marked by strong, practical sense
more ambitious of substantial power.
than mere glory. Such man was Crorn-
well-to take another instance from
among warriors. OF such temper were
Jonathan Swift and Lord Beaconsfeld |
among men of letters. Similar examples
will occur among men who have succeed
ed as lawyers, physicians, merchants,
and editors.
Another may value more bioblv than