The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-06-04
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"BETTER THAN FUN"
A Lesson Which Many ThOughtless PeO
pie Need to Learn.

n LeSsOn winch MANY lhOuShtueSs Ieo-
pie Need to Learn.
Fun is not in itself an evil. 1t is
sometimes useful and right, and may
relieve an ovcrtaxed brain, or jaded
r'.nd. But to every thing there is a sea-
son and time, and so there are times
and seasons, and circumstances when
fun is entirely out Of place. In like
manner there are sources of fun legiti-
mate and illegitimate.
All sacred things, or things pertaining
to Holy Scripture ana public worship,
as also the privations, the infrmities,
the calamities and sufferings of our fel.
low-creatures, are quite outside the
range of fun.
But harmless and even beneficial as
fun may be in its fitting sphere, and at
proper times, there are many things
''better than fun"
Here is case in point:
In certain university in the United
States, one of the professors, from his
uniform kindness and condescension,
was called ''the Students friend" On
one occasion, when he had invited an
undergraduate to walk with him, he
sought to draw his young friend into
serious conversation. Crossing field
where a man was at work, the student
noticed the mans shoes, old and
patched. lying near the hedge. Let
us play the man a trick" said he to the
professor. "Let us hide his shoes and
conceal ourselves behind the bushes
and watch to see his perplexity when
he can not find them"
my dear friend" said the professor,
1--WE must never amuse ourselves at the
expense of the poor. You are rich and
may give Yourself much greater pleas
ure in a way that could suggest"
"What is it, sir?" inquired the youth.
"Well, just put a dollar into each
of his shoes, and then we will hide our
selves and see what happens"
The young man acted upon the sug-
gestion, and then, with the professor,
hid behind some bushes close by, where
they could see without being seen.
1t was late in the afternoon, and the
man soon finished his work, and came
across to the place where he had put his
shoes and coat.
While putting on his coat, he slipped
a foot into one of his shoes. Finding
something hard he looked and found
the dollar. Greatly astonished, he ex.
amined the coin for some time, and
then looked around, but could see nc
one Putting the money into his pocket
he proceeded to put on the other shoe
and found another dollar-piece. His
feelings evidently overcame him, fol
he tell on his knees, and audibly re-
turned thanks to God, who, he believed
had sent him this unexpected relief tC
supply the needs of his sick wife, and
hungry children, in answer to prayer
Sickness had impoverished him, and
his children were almost lacking bread
He went home that night with joyful
heart
AS for the young man, who saw what
we have related through the bushes, he
was affected almost to tears.
Now" said the professor, sis moi
this better than fun, and are you not
much better pleased than II you had
played the poor man the trick you in.
tended?"
my dear sir" replied the student,
"you have taught me a lesson which
shall never forget 1t Is better than
fun and / feel now the truth of the
words have often heard, but never un-
dcrstood till now: 1T is more blessed to
give than to receive"
Others besides the student need to
learn this lesson. Many young people
are very thoughtless concerning such
things, and are more careful to please
themselves than to do good to others;
though, to be sure, doing good will af
ford real pleasure to those who do It.
1t is "better than fun" In truth, do
ing good, and not mere pleasure, should
be our aim, though doing good general
ly brings pleasure as its reward.
Let me follow Thee, my saviour,
Not with words or empty show;
Let my heart. my life. behavior,
Prove Thy presence here below;
Meekly with the froward bearing,
And each brothers burden sharing.
Sword and Trowel.