The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-03-19
A Taste for Reading.

A Taste for Reading.
We cannot linger in the beautiful creation of in.
ventive genius, pursue the splendid discoveries
of modern science. without sense of the
capacities and dignity of human nature, which
naturally leads to sterner selfrespect. to manler
resolves and higher aspirations. We cannot read
the ways of God to man as revealed in the history
| of nations. of sublime virtues as exemplifed in
the lives of great and good men, without falling
into that mood Of thoughtful admiration, which.
though it be but transient glow, is purifying
and elevating influence while it lasts. The study
of history is especially valuable antidote to
self. exaggeration. 1t teaches lessons of humility
patience. and submission. When we read Of
realms smitten with the scourge of famine or pest
lence. or strewn with the bloody ashes of war; of
grass growing in the streets of great cities: of
ships rottng at the wharves; of fathers burying
their sons; of strong men begging their bread; of
fields untitled, and silent workshops, and despair.
ing CONFERENCE.-The hear voice Of rebuke to
our own clamorous sorrows and peevish COM
plants. We learn that pain and suffering and
Disappointment are part of Gods providence. and
that no contract was ever yet made with man by
which virtue should secure to him temporal hap.
piness.
OOO0os
products of the best minds. We should any of us
esteem it great privilege to pass evening
with Shakespeare or Bacon were such a thing
possible. But, were we adm itted to the presence
of one of these illustrious men. we might find him
touched with infrmity. or oppressed with weari-
ness. or darkened with the shadow of recent
trouble or absorbed by intrusive and tyrannous
thoughts. To us the oracle might be dumb and
fho 1snhf oo1r R,,t uhopu 10 douu
of their volumes. we run no such risk. Here we
have their best thoughts embalmed in their best
words; immortal flowers of poetry, wet with Casta.
liam dews, and the golden fruit of wisdom that
had long ripened on the bough before it was
gathered. Here we find the.growth of the choicest
seasons of the mind. when mortal forgot
ten, and mortal weaknesses were subdued; and the
SOUL stripped of its vanties and its passions lay
bare to the finest eff1uences of truth and beauty
We may be sure that Shakespeare never out-talked
his hamlet, nor Bacon his essays. Great writer's
are indeed best known through their books. How
little, for instance, do know of the life of Shaks
peare; but how much do we know of him! F.. E.
For the knowledge that comes from books..I
would claim no more than it is fairly entitled to.
am well aware that there is no inevitable con.
necton between intellectual cultivation. on the
being. on the other 1.-The tree of knowledge is
not the tree Of life.' admit that genius and
learning are sometimes found in combination
with gross vices, and not unfrequently with con-
temptible weaknesses; and that community at
once cultivated and corrupt is no impossible
monster. But it is no overstatement to say. that.
| other things being equal, the man who has the
greatest amount of intellectual resources is in the
1os Of Aap info tam for M
other reason because he has fewer idle moments.
The ruin of most men dates from some vacant
hour. Occupation is the armor of the soul; and
the train of Idleness is borne up by all the vices
1 remember satirical poem. in which the Devil
is represented fishing for men. and adapting
his bats to the taste and temperament of his prey;
| but the idler he said, pleased him most because
he bit the naked hook. To a young man away
from home. friendless and forlorn in great city,
the hours of peril are those between sunset and
| bedtime; for the moon and stars see more evil in
q single hour than the sun in his whole days Cir
cult. The poets visions of evening are all COM
pact of tender and soothing images. 1t brings the
| wanderer to his home, the child to his mothers
arms. the to his STALL and the weary laborer to
his rest. But to the gentle-hearted youth who is
thrown upon the rocks of pitiless city. and
stands homeless amid thousand homes" the
the approach of evening brings with it aching
sense of loneliness and desolation. which comes
down upon the spirit like darkness upon the
earth. In this mood. his best impulses become a
snare to him; and he is led astray because he is
social. affectionate. sympathetic, and warm.
hearted. If there be young man thus circum-
stanced within the sound of my voice, let me say
to him. that books the friends Of the frendless.
| and that library is the home of the homeless. A
taste for reading will always carry you into the
best possible company. and enable you to con-
verse with men who will Instruct you by their wis
dom. and charm you by their wit; who will soothe
you when fretted, refesh you when weary. coun-
sci you when perplexed. and sympathizs with you
| at all times.-George 8. Hillard.