The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-30
A SLAVE TO CARE.
The Happiness Which is Part of q Pure
and Honest Life.

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and Honest Life.
Many persons think that, in order to
enjoy perfect liberty, it is only neces-
sary to be free from the control of other
people. If no one exacts obedience.
regulates their lives, or interferes with
their will, they triumphantly call them
selves free. Yet there is bondage,
which is not the less slavish because
they forge the chains themselves. There
are tyrants that hold men in unflinch-
ng servitude, and burdens under which
hey bend without thinking it possible
% rebel against the one or to cast off
ihe other.
One of the most common forms of
his unacknowledged slavery is that
which we are under, to care. Now care
S something that rightly falls to the lot
II all. Childhood alone may claim ex-
'mption from it. As the life advances
t comes with every new responsibility,
md every honest man and woman ac-
'epts it cheerfully as his or her share
n the worlds burdens. So far, how
'ver, care is no grinding taskmaster.
t develops power, it encourages en-
IeaVor, itpromotes happiness. No one
nut the selfish idler would wish to be
ntirely free from care, but we Justly
odd him in honor who faithfully takes
p that which falls to his lot and fulfls
he duty it involves.
lnsensible, however, in many cases,
ne SMs 2EaEIEss ~ Whsn e t I man is pa
gradually tightens its grasp and ex
tends its domain until by and by hi
who had once governed and regulated
1t becomes its victim. He has perhap.
become involved in business ventures
that tax all his powers of body ant
mind. Not only his own money, but
that OF others is implicated; not only
his own welfare, but that of a depend
ent family hangs upon the issues. The
ups and downs that once were borne
cheerfully now wear upon his nerves
and irritate his temper His brow is
contracted, wrinkles betoken an anx.
lous spirit, the smile fades from his
lips. Absorbing care has fastened upon
nm, and though he imagines he is
free, he is in fact and for the time a
slave.
Or he has entered political life, with
high hopes and bright prospects. He
counts much upon his friends he I'M
dertakes large enterprises, and binds
himself by many promises. Presently
complications arise; obstacles impede
his path; friends grow cool and enc
mics spring up; his aims seem to re-
cede from him, even his motives be-
come clouded; care overshadows him,
and he can no longer control it; his
freedom IS gone. One is extravaganza.
and, yielding to his inclination or vani-
ty, he spends first up to his income, then
a little beyond it, then incurs liabilities
winch he can not meet; and then care
has gained supremacy over him that
he can i'll no way throw off Another
gives way to some temptation and
wrecks his own life and the happiness
OF all that are dear to him, and the
care that guilt brings sits forever at his
board. One is immersed in details and
takes the cares that properly belong to
many others upon his own shoulders
until they weigh him to the earth; an.
other by neglecting to hold the threads
OF life in an orderly way becomes en-
tangled in web of care from which he
struggles in vain to extricate himself.
Thus in numerous ways do men give
up the liberty they profess to prize, and
submit to tyranny that letters the soul.
that palsies the energies, that weakens
the will Who that has writhed under
such a despotism would not escape
from it with gladness, even at the loss
of much that he holds dear? Yet. like
all tyranny, it must cost revolution
to break the yoke.
1t is true that excessive care is some.
times the result of circumstances that
can not be controlled, but usually it is
not so. Often it is only question of
limit. How much to undertake and to |
promise? How far to accept response. |
blllty? What style of living to adoptp |
The practical answers to such questions |
decide whether care is to
be an honorable and useful servant or
q cruel and tyrannical master. Our |
powers are all limited, and their best
efficiency is never secured by strainino
hem to the utmost. Always to leave /
margin, a reserved force of strength
IL means, is a valuable rule of life. To
nm at excellence in one thing, rather
han mediocrity in many, to undertake
ew things, and those few with a whole
oul, will greatly help to ward off the
tyranny OF care. So above all, will
lrm principles that place truth, hon.
sty and fidelity so high that no temp
alton can assail them, and pure and
nipple life that prizes Righteousness
bove gain and draws its happiness
rom nobler sources than luxury or dis
lay. --Philadelphi0 Ledger.
NADTIOItO ntR@r