Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1880-03-11
Demands of the Age.

An abstract of the Rev. Mr.. Wilson'S
fifth sermon to young men:
s'To be, or not to be, that's the ques-
ton,
Whether it is nobler in the mind to suf-
fer
The slings and arrows of outrageous
fortune,
Or, to take up arms against the sea Of
troubles,
And, by opposing, end them?"
Such was Hamlet's deliberation when,
in a moment Of frenzy, he knew not
whether it would be nobler to suffer the
ills to which he was exposed at the
Court of Denmark, or with bare bod
kin his quietus make. With him the
question between life and death was q
mooted one. What to do--whether to
play the man and bear whatever came,
or to play the coward and escape all this
by breaking through the gates Of death
Hamlet could scarcely decide. So with
many young man to-day, it is ques-
tion whether to remain where he is in
the quiet idle paths of life, or to take mp
arms against circumstances and fight
his way higher. He does not know
which TO bear-the sloth and the do
nothing, or the shafts of envy and scan
dal that are always hurled at men Of sue
cess. Isn't 1t remarkable fact that the
man who meets with success, in any
calling, becomes at once the object of
taunts, jeers and libels from those who
have failedf Take two instances: 1t
will not be denied that Ulysses s. Grant
has been a successful man in the Repub-
lican party, neither can 1t be denied that
he has been the target of unsuccessful
men. Samuel J. Tilden has been sue
cessful man in the Democratic party
he is to-day the most conspicuous OBJ
ject in American politics. A proof of
this is the fact that Grant and Tilden
are the best abused men In the two par
ties to-day. The attacks upon them
have been met only with silence; they
have both been able to Withstand the as
sault of the envious.
But, young men, the age demands
you. If you have any courage come
out. "Freely ye have received, freely
give" God through the voice of the
times calls on you for your services.
You were not made for nothing-you
are here for great purposes. You may
not know for what-but God does.
You may not know when or where-but
God does. Therefore fear not calumny--
only secure yourself within the armor
of a pure moral nature-put your trust
In Him-and though you may be struck
you can't be hurt.
Now, word about the age. Never
was there time 80 full OF interest, of
stimulus and Of hope, as the present.
We have all that generation could ask
to excite the most strenuous effort and
kindle the fires of intense and holy am
bltion. Over the centuries Of past ages,
voices come to us-"freely We have re-
ceiyed, freely give" We hear the sum-
mons as though In trumpet tones "Free-
ly We have received, freely give" l
would not point out to you any particu-
lar spheres, nor direct you to any spe-
cial but but would mention three gen.
eral demands. First, the age needs in-
tellectual activity and force. In former
ages men were concerned, mainly. with
material objects. Strength of muscle
and yigor of body were Of more impor-
tance than mental culture and force of
mind. In the history Of SAMPSON, OF
SAUL and of DAVID we discover the
leading idea upon which merit and hon.
or were based In those distant ages and
which Idea runs all through the ancient
mythology. In the efforts Of the an
clients to leave the material and enter
the intellectual world, to explore the
mysteries hidden in the stars above and
the earth beneath, they were for long
time baffied. For thousands of years
they wandered in darkness, unable to
construct any scientific system that was
worthy of the name. How great is the
contrast between our times and those
sges Of ignorance and mental darkness!
How great the contrast even between
the present state of science and philoso-
ply, and their condition few centu-
ries ago when knowledge was locked up
In few colleges and universities, and
only the privileged classes could gain
access to its treasures. Now they are
the property of the multitude as much
ss the light Of tho sun or the air we
breathe. And these best resources are
at the commad of men for practical pur-
poses. Our age, then, demands of you,
young men, intellectual vigor as well
as outward activity. "No"-do you
sayf-"things are now so far advanced
that am as one born out of due season.
With the preseAt state of society there
is nothing for me 10 do. Freely have
received but there Is nothing for me tq
give" All! that's mistake. There Is
much to do, and it is your privilege and
your duty to aid in the wider diffusion
of light. In q measure, under God,
you hold in your hands the destinies Of
future generations. The arena thai
opens before you is as glorious as 1t is
great. 1t presents prizes to be won al
well as duties to be performed. II there
are struggles to be passed through there
are also treasures to be gathered up thai
will enrich your souls for this life and
bless IL In the life tn cone
In the next place the age demands
your philanthropy. A purer and more
christian public sentiment is yet to b.
created. Now, young men, It is yourl
to take part In this. Don't let the en-
terprises and the advancement OF YOU
fathers lie over until the next genera
ton. Let your brothers now, and YOU
children hereafter, feel your influence
"a = Il "