The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-13
PROGRESS.

One Of the irresistible laws that governs us
is expressed in the homely order. Push
along: keep moving" The man that stops
on the sidewalk gets jostled on the right and
the left. and if he does not pick himself up
pretty quick is run over
Progress. advance go-ahead, is the idea
from the cradle TO the jumping off place and
the all hail hereafter" And it is easy in the
early stages of life 10 noteit All our interest
in the little, helpless one. from its first ap-
pearance and on, IS III growing strength and
self-assertion-the steadying head. the little
first teeth, the dawning intellect. the budding
graces and virtues. the developing and ex-
panding and enlarging qualities of soul and
powers of body and mind How charming
the contemplation and study!
And then comes the early schooling and APP
premiership. In these it is pleasant 10 note
the improvement and what we call progress,
increase of light and skill. and advance from
stage to stage, until the tyro passes into the
graduate and master workman. And all along
we delight TO note the progress.
But now comes the commencement. On
and from the high level of mans estate what
shall be the progress? The law holds, and is
on us. and there is no stop or stiffness in crea-
ton. And yet the condition Of satisfaction,
of independence is the beguiling vision. The
graduate with his diploma is master of
arts" Woe be to him if he thinks so. The
apprentice is master workman, and
can do as he pleases. Unlucky he. if he
thinks so. Marriage and competency; and
the promise is fulfilled; the high place is
reached. And so the novel closes. and every
body is happy. And this is the great danger Of
all tales that are told to please. 1t would be
such an improvement if they would only wind
up with the beautiful Scriptural ,ableaux-the
wife as the fruitful vine by the walls Of the
house. the sons as olive branches. and the
daughters as the polished corners Of the
Temple.
Ii is just here indeed, in full and complete
manhood that the great progress begins And
the great danger is that of satisfaction. Hus-
band, father. manhood is brother-the en-
trance upon larger existence; Act II only in
the great drama of life Woe to the man TO
whom honor and competence is life fulfilled.
Shall We say he has been worshiping. himself
as an idol and is satisfied with wor-
ship Shall wo say that selfish
appetites and passions have been his lie and
that his heart and stomach filed he is great
success He is under the law Of progress.
and stiffness and rest means disease of body,
mind and metaphysical and moral fer
mentations-and whom the man looks for per-
feet happiness the dream Of the ideal dis
quiets him.
1t is an unlucky thing for man TO count
himself success in any calling OF profession.
He is poor indeed, puppet and al automaton
only, that has not an ever expanding concep-
ton. 1t is tho glory Of manhood to worship an
ideal, ever increasing, ever rising, charging.
growing. unfolding toward the absolutely
good and true and beautiful. low ideal
makes the conceited man. A thigh ideal |
teaches the dvineness of meek and lowly |
spirit. There is no exemption from the law. |
We must be moving on. 1t is delusion for any |
man TO look for absolute success and restb by |
any road or through any means. Our callings |
and conditions are but our schools They
seem to feed and clothe Us. But above them |
oil u the progress in manhood. II manhood |