Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-05-21
POSSESSION AND USE.
The Two Main Elements Which Ente
Into the True Value of Things.

LIN NlNlH Elements "NlCn Enter
Into the True Value of Things.
The desire of possession, so natural to
every one, would perhaps be somewhat
limited, and certainly become more dis
eliminating, if a truer notion prevailed
as to the real value of the things desired.
The value of any thing can not be meas
ured by its cost or price alone. other
wise the fresh air, cool water and bright
sunshine would be %valueless. Two main
elements enter into the real valuo of
things; n is their intrinsic power of
producing health, happiness and life,
the other the power of the possessor to
use them for that purpose. Only so far
as the latter exists and is put forth can
the. former be made manifest. Steam
wa one used for. nothing. Now it is
one of mans most valued agencies. 1t
always had the same disable force that
it now possesses, but until the human
capacity to employ it was developed, it
passed into the air unprized and unheed-
ed. So soil and seed possess an inherent
power Of sustaining life. but if they are
not brought into contact with each
other they are practically valueless.
In such cases this truth is recognized,
but in the matter of, everyday eXpendi-
lures, and still more in that of every
day desires, it is very much overlooked.
To be sure, the blind man does not
covet pictures, nor the deaf man buy
musical instruments, unless it is to give
them to those who can see and hear.
Yet many who are blessed with their
senses do purchase, if they can, and
covet, if they can not, things chat are
nearly as useless to them. Take the
matter of food, for example. Its value
depends, not only in it's own power of
promoting health and vigor, but in the
intelligent use of it, in quantity, quality
and preparation, so as to accomplish
this result. just as much of 1t as the
| system needs, of the kinds best adapted
for its development and combined in
healthful proportions, is of real value
to the All else that is eaten
is worse than wasted, it is positively
detrimental. Yet how little do these
considerations govern people in the
market or at the Widespread table!
Much of what is thus consumed, after
great expense and labor, is destitute of
any permanent value; much of it actu-
ally deadens and shortens the life it is
supposed to nourish.
So with dress, The fabrics people buy
have an intrinsic power of comforting
and identifying humanity, but not until
they are selected, made and worn with
direct reference to these objects is this
power in active operation. Yet let fash
ion decree a sacrifice of both at her
shrine, many willingly bow in submits
sion; and to exactly that extent is choice
of clothing valueless. So with dwellings,
and furniture. They are often procured
without the ability to extract from them
a 1.-THE of their real value. The house
is too large for the means and the fur
niture too fine for use; the expensive
parlors must be counterbalanced by bare
and comfortless chambers; OF, if all this
is consistent, then perhaps the proper
care of it involves more service than can
be afforded, and the wife's strength is
overtaxed, or the burden of expense
falls too heavily on the husbands re-
sources, and care, debt and misery are
the result. Many persons buy books or
pictures or other works Of art, although
quite unable to derive either the instruc-
ton or the pleasure they are capable of
bestowing. Ii they are generous, and
allow them to be freely used by those
who can appreciate them, it swell; 9TH
erwise they are preventing the good
they might do by locking them up where
they can do none.
Such a view would not depress trade
or discourage industry. 1t would rather
direct both into better channels, and, by
preventing waste, increase the rea;
wealth of the country. 1t would also
stimulate self-improvement in the di-
rection of learning how to make the
most and the best of whatever is pos
sesSed. And, while teaching a wise
economy, it would also teach a wise
generosity. For to extract the full.
Value of any thing, as many persons "a
possible should profit by it. ssmo
things that are held ;eltishly could &c
made valuable to many without dilnin-
ishing their value to the owner. Much
that is now wastefully and often in
juriously used would give life and hap
piness to hundreds If only directed by
benevolent wisdom. We do not here
to giving, which is by no means
unmiSed good: but rather to the
opening up OF opportunities to those
who need them, and especially to the
diffusion of such knowledge and the
awakening of such desires as will en-
able men to use to the best advantage
whatever they possess. 1t is this knowl-
edge, this ability and these desires that
will make a man truly rich-far more
than any amount of locked-up treasures
or of enervating Injuries; for this, while
enriching all that he has, will also en-.
rich his own power and character, and
make his life and influence a blessing to
Standardization Union.
-% -
Kitchen tables may be made as
white as snow if washed with soap and
wood ashes. Floors look best scrubbed