The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-06-14
BY MORRIS A. HENSON.

BY MORRIS A. HENSON.
We judge the future by the past. All great
achievements, have been accomplished by great
labor and earnest deeds. Nothing comes by
chance, in this Wide world of ours. If we would
wear laurels we must win them. Labor is the
only road to success. Neither must we delay
the time for action by the delay of one man, the
battle is often fost. "Procrstinationisth the thief
of time" Immediate action is the only hope
we have of the future.
Though labor is one of the great requisites to
success, we must be earnest, If we gain the con-
fidence of man; by earnestness we overcome
the trouble and oppositions that hinder us
through life; earnestness is one of the greatest
essentials to womanhood and manhood.
AS civilization advances we have greater need
of men and women of earnest endeavors, though
we have made great progress in Literature, Arts
and Sciences we still hold to the groveling
habits and dispositions that tend to draw man
kind downward. Hence our age has not kept
pace with civilization; many great evils exist;
the only way their eradication can be brought
about, is by the deeds of earnest men and
women: but the general cry is we are not strong
enough to prohibit the evils; suppose the mas
ter mind in which the idea of the Reformation
centered had thought this. He said when
am angry can pray well and preach WELL"
His just anger over the servitude of the mind
and heart seen everywhere around him
awakened and threw into volcanic power his
almost superhuman Will; Bigotry fled before 1t
and hid its face; and the shaclkles ofsupersition
and unbelief which for ages had hung as a
hideous night mare over the benighted ages
disappeared as dew from before the morning
SUM- Trials oppositions and disappointments
did not quell him; he possessed that earnestness
and courage which brought about one ofth
greatest reforms we have ever had.
Coming nearer the present we have the Revo-
luton; where do you find more Jealous patriots;
they were patriots in the truest sense of the
word. Life was not so sweet or death so bitter
but that they would willingly sacrifice their
lives for their country; soldiers they would
have been an honor to the victors of "Mara-
thon;' and the women were true heroines;
they took noble part in the defense of Liberty
they were the Spartan Mothers" of the west.
They all expressed that grand and noble idea
"Give me Liberty OF Give me DEATH"
But we often hear it expressed, even in the
present day. that the circumstances of the day
made them great and earnest; we admit that
great circumstances produce great men, but
during time man never has nor ever Will be SO
pure that reforms are not needed; men are not
created great, but make themselves great by
their earnest and heroic deeds.
Weare at the crisis of great reform at the
present; where are our Luthurs and Weeds and
and earnest why do we not have heroes on
every hand; surely the cause is one which calls
for heroic Deeds Slavery was great curse and
it had many heroes to oppose it; but Intemper-
ance the greatest curse ofthe day has only
few courageous leaders that are willing 10 pro-
claim their allegiance to the great cause.
The Bible says we can not serve God and
Mammon; SO it is with Intemperance; we must
either be for Temperance or against; the pub
lie in general must work for the cause; not trust
the care to few pious and earnest mothers
but, instead of working in harmony with the
adherents we continually trying to find
some flaw; trying to make the public believe
we are in favor of tenn perance when ii is to our
interest, or secretly using all our influence
selfishly against the cause; trying to persuade
the public that we are not strong enough TO cope
with SO formidable an enemy as intemperance
or that public opinion is not educated to a suf-
ficient standard to prohibit 1t; but when will
we be stronger will it be when saloon is placed
on every corner and distillery in every village?
When will we be more educated, will it be
when all the posterity of the present use the.
forbidden cup?
Such an idea this is irritational; but still
we have men going through the land trying to
pers uade the people TO license the curse; and
we Americans pride ourselves of our personal
Liberty and civil rights and would it be right to
tax vocation, that prohibits poor men from
pursuing it? Neither is it right from moral
standard; the very essence of taxation goes to
prove that Intemperance is wrong; why not
license men to commit murder; ifone is right
the other is; the only right way is oprohibit it
altogether; and the only way prohibition can
be brought about is by the deeds of earnest men
and women.
And as we have q chance to form decision
on this great question, generalization and fore
thought, are necessary If we WELD that scepter
which every American possesses, for the welfare
and enjoyment of mankind.
Weshould profit by the decisions of nations
in the past on great civil questions. Russia re-
jected the Reformation; darkness has been over
the land ever sipce; serfdom and tyranny have
ruled.
Who can predict our fate if we make wrong
decision this great question If we follow in
her footsteps will be much more terrific.
From the enlightenment we have received
from the past and the knowledge at the present
of right and wrong and the hope of the future,
we will not engage in deeds that will bring our
names down to infamy; but will go forward and
overcome the evils; it may take time but victory
must come; it will inevitably come.
Not only in national affairs must we be earn
est but in individual and social life, if we expect
to accomplish anything; we should be of some
use III the world; usefulness ought to be the true
aim of life. God created man to perform q
noble and definite work, and if we take part
in the grand work of making the world better
we must be busy, firm, brave and earnest; 1t is
| the earnest man with the earnest work to do
that is the exemplary man of the present. He
does not wait for public sentiment; but like the
Apostle Paul of old, goes to work and makes
public sentiment.
The greatest embarrassment of the present is
we have too many Micawbers; men who are
alwayS waiting for something to turn up; they
lack determined will, fidelity and integrity
| the essential elements to success.
| The successful man, is the earnest and cour-
ageous man, before whose strong will every
| obstacle falls.
| What within the realms OF human may he
not dare to attempt of what possibilities may he
not dream?
LET u.s. then, be up and doing,
With heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and TO watt
Bright and Beautiful.
CAMBRIDGE, OHIo.-The Je6erSOnian,