The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-12-15
BY REV. JOHN HALL, b. D., n. Y.

ing them to good schools, 20 college, and
to such lines of life as admit of continued
study. OF course, there are men who,
without these advantages, stand high in
the ranks of scholarship; but they are
not among the subjects of our paper.
from nature, judicious use of money, a
careful study of society, and due re-
gard to tailors and kindred artists. Rich
men are made. sometimes by their father
in law. sometimes by plodding industry
and study accumulation, and sometimes,
though not often, by the indefinite thing,
good luck,' or fortune. Happy men
are made by general home surroundings,
modest aspirations, good wives, nice
children, all working on a soil, more or
less deep, of naturally good dispositions.
Christian men are made by Divine truth
in Divine hand. We are now thinking
of strong men, who may however, and
often do, include in their makeup some
of the best Of the foregoing features.
A good physique. or in palmer En-
glish, healthy body, is a good starting
point. Feeble, sckly or remarkably IN
calmly frames put their p.,ssessors at a
disadvantage and enttle them to our
sympathy. Obviously the boys who get
pale and sickly on cigarctts are throwing
away part Of their capital OF the
foremost men i'll our cities asfgoodly pro-
portion have early breathed country air,
and built up good bone ard sinew. That
the simple fare, habits, and pursuits of
the country contribute to this result,
there can be no doubt. With good
constitution from nature in such environ
ments one is likely to be able to make
the most of any brain power he possesses.
This is highly valuable. The engine
that is to drag the train without must
be strong enough TO bear the pressure of
the steam within.
Then, what of the poor city boys
among cakes, candies CONNECTIONS and
confiding limitations and general ener-
waiting influences? Only this: Let them
avoid the luxuries, make much of the
necessities, court the open air and the
country walk, and at the risk of being
counted questionable and out of So
ciety by keeping good hours, give their
bodies fair chance to be strong to labor
and to endure. There is evidence enough
that in the city as rugged frames and as
vigorous health can be enjoyed-if wis
dom is only exercised-as anywhere.
Good homes send forth strong men.
And by these we mean homes where in
dustry, prudence, economy and self-reli-
ance are cultivated by the side, and in
deed under the inspiration, Of yet loftier
virtues, not always understood at the
time by the young. Where boys learn
the value of even little money; where
they help themselves, instead of ringing
for the man. where they need to exer-
else ingenuity; where the coveted book
is obtained after waiting and working;
where the chance to read it is had in the
corners of time saved from sport or won
by hard labor-there the materials are
found out of which are made strong men,
And what of the poor boys who are
born into luxury, waited on in babyhood
by French maids, and petted in the lap
of plenty? Is there no chance for them?
Yes, certainly; but on the condition COM
monty of keeping these things as their
masters, not their servants; of being able
to use them when they are there, but to
do without them if they are not. There
are many sons of strong men, unused to
work, used to ease aud indulgence, to
whom the society which their wealth
opens to them is what Capua was to the
soldiers of Hannibal, and who in twenty
years will represent nothing but the
names of their fathers, and suggest them
not by resemblance, but by contrast.
"Right-minded," as a word. covers the
mental qualities Indispensable to a strong
man. Frank X is a farmers son.
He is not above the duties of his place.
He can plough, reap and dig potatoes,
and he never makes a fool of himself.
But he is looking on at the way in which
the others d. and he reads books. He
is sent to college. He is able to keep his
place as student. He meets with new
ways and new people. But a certain
somethiny-call it common sense" or
what you will-keeps him on the upward
track. He never, for example, steps up
to the sideboard in the professors dining
room, tugs at the top of it, asking the
young ladies for tune on the piano. A
little healthy self-distrust, calm observa-
ton, honest, good feeling. and wise read
ing of books, and of men-who are books
bound in paper, cloth, leather, or morocco,
as may be called for-these are the things
that make right minded people, and with
out such a quality yol connot have
strong man.
Energy is the last element we specify.