Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-02-11
excepting the Soul on Top

The story is told of little girl who upon
returning from school was asked what the
text had been. She replied, 81 keep my soul
ON topln Somewhat surprised to hear such
unfamiliar scripture, her father inquired
where the text could be found. The child
eagerly pointed out the we'll known passage
i'll the writings of the great apostle. in which
he SAYS: 81 keep my body underw If the
little girl had been the wisest philosopher in
the universe she could not have coined
phrase which expresses more exactly the true
sense of the apostles language. Her inter
probation voices the need of the century.
The materialism of the age holds, with
grip of steel, the thought, brain and life that
should throb with the invigorating pulse of
true spiritual culture. Much of the labor of
today, in the words of Emerson, is but "a
malignant, haggard, care-worn running af-
ter luck" As result men are old,
weary, joyless, when they ought TO be
strong, alert, happy. The pressure of
population upon subsistence renders the
struggle Tor bread n desperate one to mary
classes in the community, at disadvantage in
the race of life. The condition of thousands
of our fellow-creatures is well described in n
sentence quoted by VIM. Morris from the
writings Of Daniel De Foe: "And the men of
labor spent their strength in daily struggle
for Tread to maintain the vital strength
they labored with; So being in daily Giro J.
lation of sorrow, living but to work, and
working but to live, as if daily bread were
the only end of a wearIsome life, and
wearisome life the only occasion of daily
bread. !" Thus habit and necessity combine
to stie the influences that might 'crimson
our lives with brighter hopes"
But there is something better for all of us
than 10 live for pleasure, gain, and physical
well being. There is room for meditation nj
the eventde in the life of the humblest
worker God may be the apex of his think
ne, and ideals Of beauty the heavenly vision
on his pathway in the intervals Of toll
TO keep the soul on top" the spirit UPPER
most amid all the cares Of the present--t'hall
this become a lost art to the mechanic,
farmer, tradesman, merchant, manufacturer
and all other busy workers. IL costs neither
lime nor money to forswear the epicurean
philosophy of modern times which finds ex-
precision in the debasing sentiment, "To drift
with every passion, till my soul is a stringed
lutte on which all winds can play" If we
look Tor high things we shall live for high
things Let a man watch the stars come
out every evening, and he will read
The secret OF his souls peace IN the mysteri-
ous depths of their tranquil light. There is
40 aspiration without meditation The work
ingmln who adds good book t. his library.
an inexpensive picture to the walls of his
nome, n pleasing ornament TO his shelf con
tributes To his own elevation and refinement.
More important still, any man who values
as higher nature cannot neglect TO make
religion as taught by Jesus Christ, his friend.
Io keep the soul on top requires constant
Effort, Try to swim in the atmosphere Of
celestial aspiration, and a momentary slls-
pension Of strokes means a descent 10 lower
and lower areas of endeavor Refuse the
aid Of the Divine Spirit in seeking TO live for
noble ends, and free progress in righteous
1ess is checked by a thousand Obstacles
friend outside the city showed me his slo.
few days since crammcd with grass and
slower slowly sinking beneath platform
iondei with heavy stones uHtil il should nos
'ess the requisite consistency. Out from
inder the blue sky and bright siln the green
blades Ind been brought 10 the semi
darkness Of the dusty barn. Thus do many
)f US coniine our souls between
walls ~ habit four-square, and 30 them at
ach tbs stones Of earthiness choosing dirk
less IN place Of light the downward instead
# the upward destiny. Surely it were bet
Nr b. keep the soul ON top. In trouble.
limitation, sickness. calamity. there IS ever
window fronting the sky in this frail tene-
mont OF the body. The light that shines
through IL viii never grow dim. for IL is a
fragment Of the rainbow of Gods love that
arches eternity. The version Of revelation
hat Numbered upon the lips Of the child CON
aims the deepest and most abiding truth Of
no universe, b. wit, that man only lives
when all his thoughts and purposes are sub
-dinafed 10 the eternal interests Of the soul
n which the spark Of divinity kindles the
lame VI religious hope -IReY, 2. s, Root