The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-10-29
THE GOSPEL OF BEAUTY

The pulpit of to-day is great edu-
Gator even to those who do not be-
lieve in dogmatic religion, and the les
sons taught are frequently such that
can be reduced to practice in every
day life. This truth was made ap-
parent by the thought contained In
sermon preached in this city last Sun
day morning in the Congregational
church on the refining influence of the
beautiful in nature aud art, and un-
doubtedly many who heard the dis
course will shape their lives and
actions after the models presented.
There is no fact so apparent to the
observer as that the average Ameri-
can thinks and acts too much i'll the
line of business and does not introduce
enough of the poetry of smiles and
sunshine in his active and short life.
He is too eager to accumulate the doiS
lars, and pays little attention to sun
shine or flowers After he is wealthy
If he is ever so fortunate-he will
then build a palatial residence and en-
joy the poetry of art and nature. Un-
like his neighbor, the German or
Frenchman, plcnlcs have few attrac-
tions for him, and what there is of
enjoyment he does not possess the
youthful faculties to appreciate.
The poorest may have pleasant and
beautiful homes, if not gorgeous pal
aces, and the home-builder is generally
the home-lover. Flowers are rays OF
sunshine in the life of children and
have beneficial influence on them.
They 60 into the struggles of life with
more courage than those who are
reared IN the midst of dull and gloomy
surroundings. The bleak and forbid
ding appearance of the Puritan home
! made the witch-hangers of the
seventeenth century, while the smiling
scenery Of other countries produced
more buoyant and happier people.
But this has changed, and the resident
of New England to-day is as far diff
ferent from his iron-browed ancestor
as if he were descended from differ
ent race. Art has had its humanizing
influence, and the songs of Longfellow,
Lowell, Whittier and Hol mes has
caused a marked transformation in
the people.
The poet, the painter, the sculptor
andsthe architect fulfill noble pur-
pose in their different callings, and
leave the world much better for hav-
ing lived in it. Every person cannot
Nurse the sick or prescribe for diseases;
but very many can illuminate the 9TH
erwise gloomy pathway of others by
rays of sunlight and beauty. Music
hath charms to soothe other than saw
age breasts, and frequently the song
will continue its melody after the
singer is forgotten.
But it is not so much the study of
art, as its influence upon human ac-
tion, that is of practical benefit. If
the daughter can play the latest opera
in perfect time and tune, and Is unklnd
to her father and mother and unjust
to her associates, she lacks the princi-
pal part of an education. Parlor po-
likeness is very agreeable and places
one at ease in society. but if this is
simply on the surface veneering
process to cover gross defects-his or
her education is failure. Culture is
ccmmendable to all classes of society;
but it should go deeper than mere
suavity of demeanor. 1t should make
one better, kinder and considerate of
the feelings of those with whom he
associates, and the gentleman is more
discernible in these acts than in dia-
monds, jewelry or expensive clothing.
There can be no objection to the
exercise of taste in personal attire, if
it does not gravltate to vulgar display;
but the outward adornment should
indicate innate refinement.
There should be art, or the effect of
the love of the beautiful in every thing
we do. In cooking it is very neces-
sary, and there would be less dyspep-
sia and more healthful bloom in the
cheek if some art was displayed in
furnishing the beefsteak for breakfast
or the roast for dinner. We may be
artists in politics, In business, in So
cial intercourse and even in our homes.
Life has not enough poetry and beauty,
and wherever we can throw q streak of
sunshine across the gloomy pathway of
neighbor, we should not fail to do So
This is art, and the true object of
culture.
The campaign in Oregon on the
part of Republicans is becoming inter