Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
Preparing for Rest.
Baltimore Sun.

There is time In mems lives when they
need to learn how to work; there is time
for some men when they need to learn how
to stop working, or at least how to find en-
ioyment in other than their usual money
making occupations. In a well ordered
life there is through its whole term due
allowance for hours of labor and hours for
recreation and improvement. The man
instead of becoming absorbed In his bust
ness to the neglect of everything else, in
terests himself In works of humanity, joins
social organizations where he makes
friends and lays the foundation for the
enjoyment of the days of leisure that are
to come. Whether he be rich or poor, the
time will come when he shall be too old to
work; when he shall be compelled to give
up his daily occupation and find employ
ment for his mind at least, in charitable
work, in reading or In social enjoyment.
One might suppose that any man might
be qualified for this without special train
ing or preparation, but this Is not the
case. Too great absorption In business
affairs for many years units man for
other occupation; he becomes the slave of
work, and can find no leisure. When he
seeks to retire he finds himself pursued
by the demon of unrest, and either passes
a miserable existence or resumes work. at
an age when he is fairly entitled to rest.
The man of large means who thus finds
himself enslaved is no better off than his
poor brother who, having reached an age
when he should retire, is compelled by
poverty to continue his labors. 1t is de-
sirable, therefore, that the prosperous bust
ness man, who finds his chief delight
while he is in the prime of the daily round
of cares and eXcitements incident to trade,
should limit the hours given such labor
and seek other associations and other oc-
equations during the hours of leisure. Then
when the time comes for him to give up
business he may gradually increase the
time given to reading, to self-mprove-
ment, to works of charity or public i'm
provement, and find equal enjoyment In
these. He is no longer slave, and has
earned and enjoys his freedom.
The man who has no hobby outside of
his daily occupation, who permits him
self to be wrapped up in selfish designs
In money-making, may achieve his single
purpose, that of acquiring wealth, but II
he should have no means OF using 1t ne
will find in it no enjoyment The business
man knows very we'll that there is often
times a great difference between the lntrln-
sic value of a given article and Its COM
mercial value. If he cannot use it or
dispose of it In profitable way it is of no
value to him. Precisely the same thing is
true of the wealth he is so earnestly strlv
ing to gain. 1t has intrinsic value. but
unless he can make profitable use of 1T
(apart from mere accumulation 1t Will
bring him no enjoyment. He needs to
learn how to spend money as well as how
to make it, and he cannot learn how to
spend all in one lesson after devoting a
lifetime to the other study. He cannot
give up the best years of his manhood to
selfish pursuits and then at given mo-
ment retire from business and begin to
associate with his fellow-men In literary,
art, charitable, religious and other social
organizations. He is not fitted by training
or inclination for such company or such
occupation of his mind and energies. He
is like a stranger in foreign land, unable
to understand the language of the people
or to make his own ineligible to them.
He must pass solitary existence or return
to his own country.
This is the punishment melted out to
those who selfshly pursue money getting
without giving any attention to their
social duties. On the other hand. the sue
cessful business man who while diligently
following his occupation, keeps In close
sympathy with his fellowmen, joining
them In social organizations, helping to
promote the advancement of mankind and
assisting In works of benevolence and
charity. is citizen of the world, speaking
all languages. When he shall reach old
age he Will not find himself among an
alien people. but friends. with abundant
occupation for mind and heart outside of