Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-06
Earnest Enaeasof With Parity
Of M0tiSe.
BY MAMIE Z. vAaHooK.


Man is a gregarious animal; or, in
ether words, the animal nature or In
stincts of man prompt him to herd as
the lower order Of creation; his wants
and appetites are the same and must
be gratihed in the same way. indeed
in a savage state he is but little more
than an animal.
In his higher nature, or character,
and in an enlightened state, as an In.
tellectual being and a moral agent,
with powers and disposition that at
test bis kinship not only to angels,
but to the All Wise-tO the elder
Brothsr-he still seeks companionship.
While we cannot make the hypoIheti.
cal assertion that enc has, that angels
from friendship gather half their JOY,
it il not unsafe to say God has so
made sll his sentient, intellectual
creatures that in all their holy labOrs
and duties and in the qualification Of
their highest orlowest essential wants,
their usefulness and happiness are
greatly enhanced by sharing both with
their fellow creatures.
This being true, it seems eminently
right that nan, the dual being, the
ssntieat intellectual existence, With a
knowledge Of good and evil, and pow
sr TO viii; s being with possibilities
50 grand; one capable Of so great a
degree Of either happiness or suffering;
81 immortal spirit akin 70 the Divine,
clothed in morality material body
and gwen passions and appetites for
its support and preservation. should be
a social being.
The Creative Mind recognized this
fact when He established the
first Of all social inst-
tuiions in the Garden Of Eden. IL
Is this that gives to the ciyiiiEed world
to-day rs first, greatest and most I'M
psrs1ut social institution-the Chris
tian home; that unites the constituent
elements, however diverse, that form
communities that gives TO the church
It's social feature: that gives US all our
societies ior social, religious and edu-
esl0aAl Advancement; all rings and
monopohes, protective systems and
rstss0cisties. We're i not for this,
the weak and suffering would not 90
70 70 Il tie sss sT55g ssa pzesFsTc=s for help;
noT would the helping hand be ex-
tended 70 relieve his wants, particu-
larry lis lower physical needs. With
. proper recognition Of the relation
ship existing between the different
members Of the human family. and Of.
that love and sympathy due from one
70 another, We cannot regard as pusil-
luminous one who depends TO certain
extent upon others. Why should not
the ignorant and inexperienced 20 to
the wise and experienced for adyice2
Why should not those who are in need
Of friend and kindly word spoken
in their behalf, 60 to those who are
able to befriend them and can con-
sclentiously do SO? 1t is their privi-
lege, certainly. We should, further
more, ever pause aud reflect before
we denounce, even mentally, as con-
temptible pauperism that pressing
need that prompts to requests for even
monetary aid or the barest necessities
Of life. If, then, our social qualities
and feelings are productive OF so much
good when properly directed, how po-
tent may they become for evil How
careful should we be in regard 10 ssso
Citations, that our friendship be pure,
that We never enter any but a
good cause, and having entered, that
we adhere steadiastly to the right
that there be, whenever occasion de.
mands. united, harmonious effort.
While each one is possessed ofqual-
tiles that render him or her fit con
stituent Of that grand aggregate, the
great social fabric, personal identity
should remain the same. Each
separate existence with one is
individual interests and individual
responsibilities, both temporal and
eternal. We are. Withal, thoroughly
self.conscious. Ne social ties can re
lieve US from personal responsibility
as regards our duty TO ourselves, our
fellow creatures and our Creator No
social science has ever discovered a
healing balm for a wounded con.
science; nor can Society, in her most
critical, eXactiBg, or tyTannical moods
rob q well balanced man o. woman Of
peace Of mind when conscious Of
having done rigbteously.
II 10 true We may experience great
JOY or great sorrow unforeseen, and
from sources least eIpected-zt least
By Us uncontrolled. We may have
avenues ofusefulness opened before Us
where We thought the way closed and
dark; Or We may End insurmountable
5zrriers where We least thought our
progress would be impeded. God may
10 die Infinite wisdom and goodness
1sdden and brighten our lives with
iDestimable blessings and benefits
epAnztiDg directly from Himself Of
sent through the medium Of Hi
creatures; or He may, IN the
iDscrutable dispensatioHs Of Hb
providence permit our lives 70 be
ssddeDsd and brightest hope,
1 ssjiiighss3 by great misfortune-by in.
tense suffering, mental or physical. II
may BIO some hereditary teBdeney
some mental or physical idiosyncrasy
or other unavoidable cjndltioDs o.
circumstances II life. We may ialI
victims 70 the perGdy, malice, eguoing
ambition, syariee or other passions d
our fellow men.
Selfeulture, usefulness and hsppi
ness generally depend mainly upor
ourself. Il is our privilege and dut]
10 use every just means available b
accomplish the purposes Of life, noI
forgetting there are God given re
. i a 4 a