The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-10
e, -,
Length and Breadth IN Life.

There are two conditions of human
life which are often but very erro-
neously, thought to be antagonistic to
each other-its length and its breadth.
By length here we mean, not duration
of time, but the straight and far-reach-
ing path which leads to ones own
special good, whether in the way
of education or employment, . or
ambition or enterprise, or what
ever in fact is purely personal
in its aims and intents. Breadth, on
the other hand. is that reaching out of
self to the family, to sOcietysand to the
world, including those qualities of kind
illness, sympathy, generosity and phi
lanthropy, which are usually summed
up as love to others,
If anything is absolutely necessary to
make an individual valuable it is that
he should clearly recognize his own
powers and mark out his own path in
the world. When he finds out that
whatever he is to accomplish must be
in one direction. and accepting the dis
covery applies his energies resolutely
in that line, he has usually laid the
foundation of a useful and happy life.
| 1t is not merely that the division of
labor has created the need for special
lists, but that human nature must have
a definite end in view if its best powers
are to be put forth. When this is want
ing; when life is suffered to swing from
one thing to another. without distinct
purpose; when aims are SO numerous
that they result in aimlessneSS, and
81, hot fln &c
ten-the character is weak, the work is
imperfect and the life of but little
value.
This duty of self-knowledge and self
culture, along some one definite line,
should be impressed on every young
person. 1t is not selfish; on the con-
trarv, it is what makes it possible to be
of any real good to others. For wher
any one is doing his own true work in
the best way, he is always beneliting
his feilowmen, whether he is conscious
of it or not. Beyond this, however, il
is chiefly through the discipline of this
culture that we come to understand
others and know how to help them.
One who is vigorously bending himself
to his own life-dutieS is in far better
position to give intelligent aid to others
in their struggles than one who, having
no purpose OF his Own, devoteS himself
to forming or mending those of other
people Few efforts are more unsuc
cesSful, few labOrs are more unavailing
than those of the reformer who has not
reformed himself, of the liberal giver
who does not pay his debts. OF the man
who. without any special direction In
life, is occupied in guiding and direct
ing others.
On the other hand, length without
breadth is equally imperfect and I'M
satisfactory. There are some people
keen, intelligent, energetic, having a
distinct aim in life and following it
closely, but wrapped up in them
selves, and regardless of others. eX-
cept as they can use them for their
own benefit. Their experience seems
to afford them no opening into the lives
of others; their struggles do Lot teach
them how to help others; their joys and
sorrows DO not enable them IT, sympa
thize with others. They are. in the
words of q recent writer, ''bright and
sharp as needles. and as hard and mar
however intense and eager, misses its
aim. For as we cannot truly help others
while ncglecting our own proper bust
ness, SD we cannot do our own work in
the best way while neglecting our
duties to other people. The experiences
that we gain through sympathy react 10
make our own lives richer and our
labors more effective. There is in all
kindly intercourse an exchange that Is
beneficial on both sides. Youth and
age, riches and poverty, learning and
ignorance, sickness and health, each
has its separate discipline and its special
lesson, and though that which comes to
us direct will be the most vivid and
strong, we may partake of all the rest
through that wonderful power of SYM
pathy by which we reach out into the
hearts and lives of others to help or to
comfort Columbus (Ga.) San.