The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-03-03

ideas prevail which reyolutionize the
world In its mode Of living. In the
procession Of events radical changes
occur In the extcrnals of life. There
Ia no stability In human affairs. The
customs of to-day are the caricsture oil
Tomorrow The intellectual ideal OF
an epoch is superseded by feebler
or more vigorous type. As history re-
yeals. In some mOmentous crisis in
human affairs the morals Of a nation
are fostored by the high example Of its
rulers and leaders; in the succeeding
generation they are debauched by a
lax Of discipline. or the evils Of dis
-olute court. Society Is constantly
shifting its ground and seeking new
outlets for its energies. Custom and
prejudice are all-powerful. changing
The character Of a people and sapping
its inner life. The tendency Of the
world is 10 conform mankind 10 one
type II prescribe5 fixed diet, hours
IN which To dress and dine, and gar
ments Of one texture and cut The
length Of the days marks the limit Of
waste. But whoever stand in awe Of
convention and yield 10 these influences
arc consumed by ennui They huddle
like sheep. They exchange their birth.
right for mess Of pOttage. and forfeit
their best possessions, as the inhabi.
tants Of a Spanish city deliver their
door-keys TO the night watchman and
lock themselves out Of their own
domains. In pursuing these reiiec-
tions. lot Us remember that rs there is
but one standard of duty. so there Is
but one way Of living wisely and wei
The sOGl creates it, own conditions. =.
rises superior TO its cnvirOnmol. IL
levels the walls Of conventionalism rs
Joshua with blast of the rams horns
overthrew the walls Of Jericho. Society
reflects the attitudes and raiment Of a
posturing. lickle-hearted, pleasure
seeking world "A mind might pom.
der its thoughts for ages, says a wise
philosopher. land not gain as much
self-knowledge rs the passion Of love
shall teach II in y day Carlyle said
b'uL lh' illtdlilu8 VI lilN - " uillOli
ones self Within us are unexpected
resources. Why spend our workdays
over the slcw-pan and our holidays in
unpacking our trunks and airing old
clothes? Because our neig hbors across
the way keep their blinds closed, should
we exclude Gods sunshine for fear of
fading the parlor carpet? Each faculty
and feeling has it, use. A man has
not learned what it is to live if he sees
no horizon beyond the fence that in
closes his farm. Would we be in
structed? Would we learn how tn
live? Three books are ever at hand.
the Bible, nature and soul. As tho
story goes, soldiers were held in such
contempt during the civil wars in En-
gland that TO snub them conferred. Il
Of coventry. while q woman was os-
tracised who vcntured to ask one the
time of day. Social prescription is
daily visited upon erring mortals for II
less hoinous ofcnse. The mandates Of
fashion are received by its votaries
Win slltlL NuDUll.NlDU, uS lIlt SuItl-
stitious accept the decreos of fate. The
surost way to improve society is a we'll
directed effort in the line of self-im-
progement, individuality gives char
acter to an age. The laws of society
are never so sacred as the laws of ones
being However mean your life is.
meet and live it; do not shun it and
call Il bad names" love your life.
poor rs it is" These are words OF
wisdom. II the stock concern in which
you have invested your savings fails TO
pay its dividends make good its loss
out of the overlooking bounty of ma
ture and the generosity Of the heart
What men say and think need not con-
cern one who acts from single motives
and is on the right track. Let him
give up every thing but honor. and
next to that his individuality. though
the finger of ridiculc is more dreaded
than thunderbolt. Stick to your path.
if it is only cowpath. BE yourself
Imitation is q puerilo and cheap talent,
an apish gift an igroblc aim. The
moanest possession is truer measure
of happiness than the egotistic self
complaccncy and protension which
boasts of costly cquipagcs and lone
descent. -Hdr9H Van SaatUood, 10 H!-