The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-07-14
LITTLE Essfs.

lesson OF our four hundred years Of
history is great. For one hundred years
our land WAS. to the world, fatal shore
and "a sinkp0cket. For 1wO hun
drcd years after 1t was lan1
Of daring, self-sacrifice and martyr
dom, of fighting and suffering, an arena
Of greed and bloodshed. disgraceful to
the nations of the Old World. and a
theatre Of herOism and greatness. most
honorable 10 our race, the elements OF
good and evil on grand field, con-
tending in free fight for dominion.
And the last one hundred years has
been period OF progress. Of advancing
civilization and increasing light, and
power. aud happiness. full Of the
promise that times last and nOblest
offspring shall be the glory Of all
lands The powers Of good aud
evil are now cOntending within
our borders in mortal conflict
as never before in the world r
history. And the Devil is pouring in
hi, hosts to fight for his defenses and
powers. Lawlessness in every form.
Socialism brutality. lust, intemperance.
creed. iufidclily towards God and man.
VICES little and big private and public.
American character. principle, and
manhood are being put to the last proof
And under Heaven America is fighting
the great tight well. The vision Of the
Genius of Freedom offers itself. saying
To the lawnaters among US:
aln uo tyrart. but Christian king,
Unto whose VIII my passions are as SUBJ
A. afc our wroiches fcttcred I'm our dun
AMI SOU Shall bow down before me or die.
In spite of dangers ahead. in spite OF
prevailing yillainy and vice, in spite OF
gloomy forebodings and lamentations
over declining virtue and growing evil.
our country is great IN its general as
p ct. great M its past experiences and
achievements. aud great in It's daily
studies and aspirations and endeavors
of It's people: grCa. in ITS religious and
charitable enterprises as in the designs
and efforts of everyday business life. 1t
is no small thing 10 notice how often
and in what measure the accumulations
OF selfish and worldly lives are be-
slowed ON schools, colleges, universi-
ties, hospitals. asylums, churches, and
cathedrals. all pointing to the helpand
advance Of our race-iudicatiDg the
rush to grand destiny.
SUCH studies as these are Wholesome
Tney bring us TO the appreciation Of our
times. our advantages, and our respon-
sibihues. And yet we have TO remem-
Der the purpose ana benefit is not to
feed our pride an. dissatisfaction. but
TO drive the private citizen back up.
on himself TO inward searching
of heart. to know that he Is
an element Of the great growth, an
actor in the great drama of the uni
verse, and that ne must be faithful
where me- is aud do ms duty IN that
state of life in which ne has been
placed. For i'm the faithful doing Of
individual duty j. the citizen IS honor.
And m the citizens honor is the
country f, glory. The great greatness
of the country comes of the li,tle great
ncss,s Of the people. And the little
groatnes-es OF the people begin in the
nursery under the mother tender.
pious care. the fathers stead, devotion
To the b 50 interests of his home and
sacred charge. and bis fidelity TO man
hood. to law and to Heaven. The little
greanesses of home and social life are
the seeds and beginnings Of
the nations greatness; self sac
riice and honesty, kindness
aud courtesy, cheering words and
ready help. real aversion, If not
h|AilN ''it'lIA w. 4tA ~ tN' anu iti' III
ness. for filth and eiIeminacy in any
place and an earnest interest and true
resp,c. for virtue and piesy anywhere.
be % in commOnost mental or ina single
hearted prince. The instinct of the
gentleman recognizes character on sight
and does It homage. The brute is bind
TO all merit That does not pay. Little
greenhouses are the atmosphere and
food, the daily walk and conversation
oil natures noblcman. Aud nature IS
noblcman has never had such opp0rtu
uilie, rs alb und i'm oar country. 20 hon
oiablc for the h,tie greatnesses OF Ils
people The average of the genteei
American is surpassed nowhere
"qrud meme dms les m0ndre,
closes. great ia tine simplicity as well
as tine largcncss of his soul.