Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-09-20
ResiIessness VS.. True Man
hood.

Il wish J lived IN t he couniryv =
wish lived in the cityv How often
we hear these words. They give ex-
preston TO an element of deep unrest
which is as natural as the air we
breathe, to many of US. We know the
limitations of our ogn livss in our pres
ent condli0ns and we see certain d;
llghtfal phases OF another form or place
of living, and our town is undleas lntlg
dwarled by contrast.
"Tis distance lend' enchautment to
the view If we were only there, IN
those new conditions of life, how much
more we would enjoy, how much better
lives we would live. The tired worker
in the city, who longs to escape from
its brick walls, its heat and clouds Of
dust, thinks of his pleasant childhood
days in the country. and longs to be
there. He remembers the beautiful
things about the houses, fields and
woods; the flesh morning breeze, the
green Of grass aud young leaves, and
the blooming flowers. And his longing
to return to the country becomes in
tense.
While the country-bre young man,
10 whom these beauties OF nature may
be an old, old story, thinks Of his hard
labor, his poor garb and few dollars,
and longs for city life. He grows tired
of his solitary labors and lack of amuse-
ment. To him, who has seen the city
ouly in its holiday attire in few festal
days, it seems a glorious place. Could
be but 90 there he would see more OF
life, have more ID enjoy, be better
dressed and have boundles opportuni-
ties for wealth. II looks easy, it looks
feasible. It's attractions are irresistible:
But the ;nares and pitfalls, The vice and
wretchedness, the selfshness and utter
isolation of much of city life, he knows
not Of now. Some day, perhaps, he
will know ofthese thinks by bitter ex-
periences.
Good fiends, remember, life means
work. And save to the favored few
alas 4! favored is the last epithet to ap-
PLY to many Of them-llfe is not so
very different as one may think, East
or West, IN country or in city. Any
where one may be a gentleman, If he
will. Anywhere one may do honest,
faithful work, if he will. Anywhere
one may make great intellectual ad-
yancement, if he will. Anywhere one
may live a pure and noble life, doing
good, if he will. And these are the
marks of a man.
If you live IN the city and can spend
the summer in the country, well. II
you 1--we in the country and eau spend
part of the winter in the city, that Is
well. Provided IN each you wisely
improve your time. But, if you cannot
pass from city TO country, then remain
at your post aud do your whole duty.
Be a whole man wherever you are.
There is no reason in the nature OF
things why a city bred young man
should be your superior II your life is
spent on the farm. AS God weighs
manhood, and as true men do also, you
may outweigh ten Of far greater polish.
Mere polish does not make a mau. Nor
does rough exterior necessarily make
a man. The man is within. What is
the heart made Of? What is the grasp
of the intellect? What is the quantum
of solid common sense? What are you
doing for Others and for God? These
are questions by which to test man.
hood. See that your life and your
work, wherever your place is, will abide
these tests -[Golden Rule.