Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-04-10


utmost toward making the world only
q little better than we found it, we shall
not have lived in vain. AS manu-
script is made free from errors by close
criticism of its matter, SO is Life made
better BY constant watchfulness of our
vile tendencies. Another mans excel
lence will not benefit us q particle, un-
less we increasingly endeavor to rise to
his acquired eminence and attain his
commendable degree of perfection. Life
is full of startling contrarieties, and
each must either quaf the intoxicating
drink of success or drain the poisoned
chalice of defeat! This is inevitable,
having been ordained by God and be-
oueathed to mortals. To many, Life
has proved a grand failure. The de-
lightful dreams and fond anticipations
of ambitious youth have vanished as
vaproous illusions and hooking fancies
in old age. Many joyous Life has
been permanently warped and soured
by cruel disappointment. The joys
and sorrows of Life are very peculiarly
and inseparably commixed. No two
days are alike. Thus each days diver.
sity creates a distinct and dissimilar
ripple in the ever-moving current OF
time-bringing into view new duty
In the long list assigned to every man.
Every hour is laden with some new re-
quirement for our employment, and
some new reward for its fulfillment.
The scenes of one day are by no means
the precursors of what will comprise
the next. Hence, the one may be bril-
liantly bright, and, without moments
warning, turn intensely dark-the one
blissful happiness, the other crushing
sorrow. In all matters involving con-
scientious scruples be sure you are right,
and then suffer no persuasion, criticism,
or invective to influence or swerve you.
Always question and listen to your con-
science, and no matter how keen the
ridicule or severe the condemnation to
which your views and opinions may
subject you, stand firm and strongly
maintain and advocate the principles or
cause you have espoused. Moral COW
ardice is the inclined plane that leads
to the first step in Gin. The single act
of sin, like the solitary seed, Unfolds it,
self in ever branching stems of wicked
ness, which tyranniZe over the soul and
terrify the drowsy conscience into ST.
lence. Man invariably attributes all
his misfortune TO special dispensation
of Providence, but his success to his
own keen ingenuity. In this world of
lust and greed, but little charity or
bretherly Interest EXISTS. If the map
of Life were but one dull, unchanging
list of duties, wholly pre- prescribed and
unalterably fixed, then Review at any
state would be needless; but as it is q
winding road, DEPRESSING here, crossing
there, and meeting yonder, so indie
cipherably checkered that one cannot
trace even its most prominent outlines,
- To- flt1 QOxria l,o
past that the future may be better sha-
pened. Each sin has its own unbroken
branches, each fault it's own frightf1l
consequences. If Life We're reviewed
more frequently, it woulii.contain fewer
errors, aud be more Inclined to perIec
ton. Life is q surging battle-from its
earliest dawn to our latest breath, we
are continually struggling with some-
thing.
We do not adjudge this living subject
or its allied propositions from a narrow
or preiudiced view, but in a general
sense addUce succinct de iuctions so as
to fully present its multitGdinous re-
quiFemeLis, and earnestly endeavor to
impress upon the young the urgent ne
cessity OF an unceasing Review of Life,
and most especially IL youth, go that
when hoary years shall have frosted the
now boyish head, the re ,eding past may
be reviewed with pleasure, and not
pain; satisfaction, and not regret So
that the unbroken chain may be trans
formed into garland OF chaste
thoughts, elevated desires, aud heroic
actions, and the lifelong practice prove
even more consistent than the advo-
Gated theory. The hours fly and are
charged to Us, whether We in prove them
or not. May the young Life of each be
so trained and developed, that when
the author shall have finished the vol
ume it may be lined and interlineG with
thrilling and purifying examples of
charity, love, and true devotion to those
principles which unfailingly mark the
illustrious Life. AS the designed mis-
sion of each Life is to be q pattern for
another's guidance, and its final result
is to be intellectually engrsven upon the
pure tablets of eternity, it becomes the
constantly examine and unsparingly
criticise each daily act that the coed
may be granGly heightened and the
evil effectualiy erased. Each day We
are silently and surely weaving crown,
either of jewels or thorns, which GCd
Himself will place upon our heads,
when time shall have given place to
eternity, and justice unstintingly melted
out to all. By constant Review, 8
man can so shape his whole career that
when his eyes shall close upon ali the
imperfections and arrangements Of
earth. the ringing shouts of happy an
gels will welcome him upon the other
shore, or by a neglected. concern so
comfort his Life that the deInoniacel
glee of fiendish devils will greet his Ell
trance into the DARK unseen Thus
then, there are but two roads in Life
one or the other each individual of his
great multitude must follow. Each
leads to separate and distinct end; no
twisting or turning will afford escape.
The tiny second, as it fast flies away,
moves the ponderous wheel OF time one
cog nearer the terminus. Each must
decide, and decide quickly, which way
he prefers to travel; for soon the hand
upon the dial will stop aud point to the
dread hour of dissolution. Needful prep
aration must be made on earth, for there
is neither Divine ntr human redemp.
ton beyond the grave
Life can be made an entertaining
compendium of perfect acts, which an
gels might be proud to own, or a re-
voting scroll of damna tory deeds, which
L
us so fill each day with pure thoughts,
lofty desires, aud ennobling actions,
that when the history shall have been
compiled, sealed with death and laid
away in the great library Of eternity,
to await final Review. it will be
grandly significant and gloriously COM
pleted. P. A. Ross.
April, 1888.
= #"Keep to your place and your place
will keep you" But you cannot exc
pect to keep your place without health.
the foundation of all success. For in
stance, railroad engineer in the EN-.
ploy of the G. M. & st. Paul r. r. had
been been grievously affected with dia-
betes for six years. He took four boxes
of Kidney-Wort and now writes that
he is entirely cured and working regu-
larly.