Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-08-14

There are three branch libraries be-
sides the central one on Mulberry
street near the cathedral. On Monday
last there were at least forty persons
in line waiting to hand in their books,
and as many more waiting for u new
book. Public libraries are great in
stitutlons, especially the free ones, and
gives the city an advantage over the
country towns, presenting an argu
ment in favor of the former. But why
should not every town also have a
public library? Cumberland is far
behind many other towns of much
smaller population in this respect.
Homecoming has a public reading
room, and on the Eastern Shore, Sails
bury, Cambridge, and Easton, | be-
lieve, have public libraries.
What a contrast there is in city life
comp pared with the country The city
is the Mecca of the rural young man.
Distance lends enchantment to the
view. The stories of its wealth, the
fame of its splendors, and the fascina-
tons of its reputed pleasures, picture to
him the elysium of earthly delight. But
the illusion of fancy often has a tragic
end. The picture is a dissclving view.
There are snares and traps in what he
imagined tlowery paths. The sim
pllclty, inexperlence, Impotence and
self sutficiency of young blood make
them easy victims to the deSpoller.
Here the harpies have their haunts
and hold their carnivals Here the
great tragedies of the world are per-
formed, not before the footlights, but
nn1I tho onl cb,,ial-,
curses, the crime and bloodshed, the
betrayal worse than murder, the
agony wore than death, Of city life
But there is the bright counterpart
to this picture. The law of compen-
sation here holds good. If cities are
thronged with demons, they are also
full of angels. If the great schools of
vice are here, here also are the great
est charities and philanthropies, and
here Christianity reveals her noblest
work and wins her grandest triumphs.
Here centre the great enterprises of
commerce and manufacture. Here
swarm the great industries which call
for brain power. Hence the great
universities are more aud more seek
ing the great cities. Here are the
centres and eOrruptions Of politics.
Here are generated the basest ambi-
tions and the noblest aspirations.
Hence the great contrasts of Life are
within municipal limits. Thousands
from the country on reaching the city
recklessly plunge into its rapid, rush
ing stream, ignorant Of the cataract
and abyss below. Many whose resolu-
tions and integrity are ordinarily
infusible melt like wax under the con
centrated temptations and vices of
city life. But the young man who
reslsts the dissolution of his manhood
in the fiery ordeal exhibits stout in
tegnty and moral heroism that entitle
him to the highest appreciation and
respect. He has character which is
solid good. If he stands the city test
IN virtue, in morals, in religion, there
is no dross in him. He will be a pow
er IN business life, a pattern in social
llfe and q pillar in the church Of life.
He will be Il better, stronger man than
he could have been in the country.
AS long us young men have Christian
churches, great! libraries, reading
rooms, first class lectures, concerts
and manifold sources of instruction
and innocent recreation, there is no
apology for associations not strictly
moral and salutary. Men who build
up great manufactures, commercial
lines, professional success, make at
once themselves and the city great.
fAnNIJrS