Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-10-06

principles, we doubt whether there
would be so many to fall victims to
vice and intemperance; for we find
many instances where home influences
have strengthened the man i'm the hour
of temptation, and proved a safeguard
all along the walks of life. More than
one Of the great men of this nation
have in their ripe age carefully put it
on record that they owed the self-con-
troll and steadfast principle by which
they rose to honor, directly to a moth
er's influence in the critical days of
their youth. Her appeal had power
when all other influences failed. AL
though it sometimes happens that
young men who have been brought up
by piOus parents, are led astray by evil
companionship, for the sole want of
self-reliance; they seem to fall asleep
to the voice of their consciences. One
of the most useful habits of knowledge
TO which men can attain, is the knowl-
edge of their own powers. For every
individual has a character of his own,
which ne is not to change or mould in
to that of another, but to develop and
exalt into the highest form of which
he is capable. He has duties which no
one else can perform; an influence
which no one else can WELD; a con-
science with which nothing else must
conflict. Nothing is more fatal to
strength of mind than to part with
our individuality; to try to fashion our
selves upon another's model. Self
reliance is perfectly compatible with
humanity. The more q man feels his
deficiencies, the more necessity does he
find for personal efforts. If he will
reverence his moral nature, and use all
al inf ~ tNl-
ening his internal energy, strengthen
his faculties, and develop the hest that
is in him, society will have fulfilled her
true aim for him in exaltiDg the indi-
vidual nature, which she too often de-
presses. Even in this golden age,
when all have an equal opportunity of
becoming educated, there is still GER
tain class growing up in vice and ig-
norance through the stupidity of pa
rents i'm Withholding from their children
the blessing SO freely offered for their
benefit. This class OF people must form
a part i'm every community. Should not
society in general have an eye singled
on their welfare? The boy who grows
up without education, or even good
moral training, if he has the firmness,
the true courage, to overcome the temp
tation of bad examples. may yet become
"A good citizen. But bad habits are
staying things. The boy who is per-
mitted to swear, lie, etc., must have a
good share of true courage to assist
him to lay such evils aside, and become
an honest and upright man. 1t must
be admitted that the social influence of
society oy which young man is sur
rounded, has much to do with the
forming of his character; for often do
we see young men staggering under the
influence of liquor, who no doubt visit
ed the saloon for no other purpose, OF
worse motive, than To take IA friendly
drink, or to watch the performance of
some friend, OF friends, at the card
table. THIS is where the sin of intoxi-
ca, ion begins. Intemperance destroys
the peace of many homes, and sets
many bad examples before the young.
Could every young man be stimulated
with good moral courage enough to
resist the temptation on its first stage,
he would win a greater victory than Is
often achieved on the field of battle.
Every boy or young man who reads
the history of his country with decided
attention, should feel that on him rests
a serious responsibility: that Of pre-
serving his ,untry's honorS rights and
liberties. He cannot be insensible of
an interest III tneul, WIleu tntN nave
been left to him as a boon by those
whose names adorn the pages of our his
tory under the severest trials and with
the price of blood. They have been
up to the present day. Many
clouds that have darkened the brow of
our beloved country have been dis
persed by those who regarded the life
of their country more sacred than their
own, and whose names should be- kept
fresh with reverent honors, and in
scribed upon the book Of national re-
Thousands of orphans
yet revive some of those dying heroes
left as legacy to the gratitude of
the nation they bOnor-as cloud of
witnesses tn our last mighty struggle;
and they should be IA nstion's warning.
May the young grow in virtuous and
religious principles, and bear in mind
that a free people must be a thoughtfui
people; for it has to do the greatest thing
that ever was done-to govern itself. |
God has not promised to bless people
W no reject his commandments. Prov.
XIV. 81: righteousness exalteth ma
ton; but sin is "a reproach to any peo- |
pie. MRS. ). Z. 4.