The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-09-12

"Jaeob.s,Ideas ofNanbood.

When we gripped our pen and nerved
ourselves to the task of writing our former
article, we had no thought of saying more
than what we might say in that letter, but
we cannot suppress the feeling which the
perusal of 'Ruth's" letter has excited and
cannot let pass the opportunity of saying
a few words in behalf of moral elevation
and social improvement. We do not write
this in the spirit of an answer: we would
rather seem to take place by the side of
Ruth" and play a second part in this
literary duet. We must, however, ex-
press our thanks for the kind words of
Ruth, and we trust that we, as we'll as
other readers, will be benefited by them.
We see that she has noble idea of man.
hood, true conception of what man ought
to be- and we hope that every man who
reads her words will take her high model
and pattern after it.
We believe that there are to be found in
every heart the elements of a beautiful
life; they need only cultivation and the
elegating influence of proper example.
The youthful heart is very sensitive, and
the effect of our early associations cling to
us through all our lives, our whole destiny
sometimes depending upon the choice of a
single companion. Those habits that seem
so manly TO The young mind very often
prove the most degrading vices in after
years. Youth, indeed, needs something
beside its own mind and opinion to guide
it, not only in its ordinary work but in
choosing its associates and forming its
habits. The experienced hand must lead
it around those deadly pits, on whoie verge
grow such tempting flowers, and point out
the rugged road which leads upward to
perfect manhood. What a great respon-
sibility rests upon him who has this trust
reposed in him, What a fund of meaning
is attached to that word example"
''The stars may fade away, the sun him.
self grow dim with age and nature sink in
years, but Thou shalt flourish in immortal
youth"
Every man owes it to himself and to the
rest of humanity to make the most he can
out of himself. He is 'the paragon of
animals, ''.he beauty Of the world. !"
The dog can be brute but he cannot be
man, and if man intends to throw away
his manhood, his mobility of reason" his
"infinity of faculties" and exalt the ami
NAL part of his being, let him drop down
on ''all fours" and be a beast in earnest
There is no merit in conceit, but there is
merit in just self-respect. Man has
something to be proud of; he is an intelli-
SGIb hN 10 bbO Va hCRftht
possessing those qualities which raise him
above all other created things. But how
often does he seem to forget his exalted
station and degrade himself with vile
appetites and immoral habits. Where is
that divine aspiration to something highe
that holy desire for perfection? Is it pos
sihle for person not only to be satisfied
with his present condition bnt to imagine
that greater happiness is to be found
lower down? Can man stifie those purer
thoughts that come to his mind and with
out regret or remorse plunge INTO those
vices which flood the base of he'll? Would
to God he could not.
4 great remedy for tie degradation of
man lies in the power of education. Give
man liberal education and he will
understand his position, appreciate his
worth and make attempts toward higher
manhood. Put into his hands the lives Of
those men who have astonished the world
with their thought, and let him study
their characters, and his mind will broad
EN- and he will have a clearer idea of what