Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-07-09
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: isT AARY'S; SENiN-4RY;
. tCoatinpsa From, Fourth Page4)ol
IN i.All Sorts apal acepditiOns .el

mi'Ali Sorts cpd Gepditions .ei
Men Can any more powerful
example be needed 10 prove the
good influence Of = novel written
with purpose
No book can be true work of art un.
less lesson Of truth, like vein Of pnr,
gold, runs through the whole, interweay
Ing in and out among the lighter, glitierine
tinsel which forms the fabric Of the story
Art has been defined a. g whole where
in large element Of beauty clothes and
makes acceptable still larger element o
truth"
In the execution of work Of art thu
painter has his colors, his canvas and hi
brushes; the sculptor ala clay, his Chisel
and modelling tools. the poet his rythm
every art has its different instruments but
the novelist has human nature and what
vast possibilities for influence lie in hi
power cannot be justly estimated!
Every artistic production, whether poem
picture, story or drama must carry within
itsouter dress of loveliness lesson to man.
kind.
There 10 about all great works Of art 4
subtle influence, cultivating, elevating, re-
ining the minds of those who can perceive
its lesson.
Another pleasure that has been much
condemned 10 theatre-going. The dramst
ic art is, above all the art of humanity
This is what makes a play the highest Of
pleasures, the pleasure which moves the
people most powerfully, while il Offers tc
the refined the most exquisite enjoyment
There is no doubt that witnessing goot
plays, teaches Us better 20 peruse the eter'
nal comedy Of human nature. Above al
il cultivates in Us the love OF the beautiful
which Ruskin says leads 10 the love o.
truth and virtue. Dnring the reign o.
Charles ii in England. the drama wal
very much corrupted, as were all amuse
ments. This was partly due to the wick
edness Of the King and Court, and partly
20 the reaction from Cromwell's severe Pu'
ritanical rule Prejudice 10 the stages dates
back 70 that time But since then il ha.
steadily improved.
And to-day il is an important factor il
liberal education, adording entertainment
aud amusement for ell classes Of people
Besides, the stage has higher aims; it in
culcRtes lessons of virtue; il shows the in
evitable misery of vice; il teaches-by ex
ample-the most effective kind Of instruc
ton.
Out of this Nazareth, God may one day
bring an influence Of the greatest good u
His people. Dancing 10 healthful exer
else Itappears to DO the natural expression
of youth, health and good spirits in all age!
and lands. There is NO more elevating
refining influence than music, and yet some
sects of religion have considered ii baneful
Beauty and ornament of dress have like
wise been condemned and forbidden
There 10 in nature an instructive propen.
sity to decorate. To Whatever principle
the taste may be traced, whether to an in
nate perception of the beautiful or 10 vain
desire TO excite admiration, the fact 10 in
dubitable. II 10 seen equally in savage and
civilized nations; and 10 manifested in their
persons, dwellings, and, indeed, in all their
customs and usages This taste is in il
own nature an imitation of the workman
ship of God, who by His spirit has garnish.
ed the heavens and covered the earth with
beauty. He has made world 90 profuse'
ly ornamented that beauties are scattered
where there are no eyes but His to behold
them
Full many q gem Of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves ofocear bear
Full many flower 10 horn to blush unseen
And waste its fragrance on the desert AIR. '
ANY external decoration which occupies
the mind more than the heart, we may b.
sure is wrong; but Solomon, in his beauti
full description OF true woman, does mo-
forget that part Of the duty which lies in e
adjoining herself that her beauty and grac.
may be enhanced:
Ohc uI0Actu uSEccu COVerlngH Oh tapes
try; her clothing is silk and purple"
Religion is not opposed to elegance anC
good taste. It il itself the beauty Of holi
ness and the richest and purest moral taste
Let us be neither the slaves nor the cynics o
fashion neither excite disgust by our wan
of attention to dress, nor court admiration
by splendor and expensiveness.
Some good thing can come from ever,
Nazareth. Every enjoyment, not directl,
forbidden by God. is given for some usefu
and beneficial end. Therefore, let us no
hold ourselves aloof from natural, innocent
pleasures, but let Us seek that broad cul
ture of mind and heart which sees good in
oil things. knowing that there is One above
who sends Us joy as well - pain for oul
enjoyment and highest happiness.
Seek for the hidden flowers,
That some are too blind TO see;
Angels look thus on men,
And God sees good in all.
OLIVE BoHANAN.