The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-05-31
Oh0, however ereAL Lhe eiott nu1 Iorth


igher than that which is his ideal.
Tho sculptor never produces piece
# statuarv more perfect than his
model. We are the architects. Our
words and actions as we 60 through
lie are the materials that we are plac
ng in the structure. Lille is an edifice.
What is your model Is it one after
which If our lives be fashioned that
Will be admired, or is il one OF the
class that we have mentioned that
will be useless or will die with age. |
We are erecting building that will
be either admired or condemned by
the world 1t will be either monu.
ment of magnificence and grandeur,
that Aill last while time lasts, wielt-
ing continually powerful influence
for good on those who come in contact
with it, or it will be hut whose mis-.
cry is measured by its ittleness and
whose influence for evil,
Time does not cause them to fall in
ruins, but they stand for future gene
rations to model after. The architect
falls with the advance of age, but the
building remains and il it be one of
beauty and usefulness it not only re-
mains to ornament earth, but fixes for
him home OF far more beauty than
tongue can tell or mind can conceive.
But to notice few IF the more spe-
ci6C characteristics of ideal manhood
II we would attain true manhood
and womanhood we must have con.
victions Of right and duty and strictly
adhere to them regardless of the
haunting jeers and the mockiugs Of
those Of our c. mpanions who have no
ambition to be a help in the onward
march OF the world. 'Tis an easy
mater to float with the current, but
it takes men and women.of integrity
to stem the tide.
IT'S not that obstinate persistence
that disregards trnth because it is
found in those for whom we have no
special love that would recommend,
but an earnest seeking after truth
wherever it may be found. whether in
the darkest wilds of African barbarian
or in the clear sunlight of American
civilization, for the love OF it, then a
strict adherence to it, whatever be the
cost.
1t was that kind Of principle which
caused such reformers as John Huss
Jerome and Others to be led down tc
the stake and enabled them, amid the
cracking of the flames, which were
devouring their bodies, to lift theil
voices in praises to God that they
were worthy 10 die such death fol
such truth
1t was that kind OF principle which
caused a revolutionary iorefathers t,
lay their lives gladly upon the altart
of freedom and thus purchase the pc
litical liberty which we now enjoy
And the great questions OF today cal
the youth of our country to take
stand on the side of right and truth
Again, let us not falter in the fac
Of temptation, for fiery trials will com
as they have in the lives Of those VIII,
are older. The records of the pas
present TO us too many names OF me-
and women whose prospects for tn
future were bright and whose live
might have been as b, aeon lights
misguided sailors on the great sea {
life, but for the lack of stamina
stand in the midst of temptation,
We will not attain our ideals b
travelling in paths strtwn with rosei
but we should profit by the experienc
OF others and learn the Lesson earl
that there are hills for Il to climb.
! We are sometimes told that the ag
OF heroes is past, but such is not tn
case. There are opportunities to pla
the hero in the humblest walks of lift
, When the soul is sflame with burnin
passion when wealth seems to be a
most within the grasp, if we will stoo
to do some low deed, and the voic
whispers in our ear, at is done ever
! day." then il we act the part OF tru
manhood and womanhood, our name
, if not enrolled on the pages of earthl
4 heroes, will be placed on the record {
Heavens true and honored sons an
i. daughters.
1t is won by many storm. 1t
7 by blow after blow thatthe smith fasl
!. ions the steel until the Damascu
: blade bends from point to hilt yet n
e break from the strain. 1t is the tree
. that stand rooted in the rugged rocl
: rocked in the embrace Of the storl
and the tempest, that are never shake
r from thor places; so manhood come
3 from brave endurance OF sorrow an
8 brave resistance of evil.
Let us not seek to attain our ide,
by secluding ourselves from s1ciet
9 because we fear contamination froi
its evil influences with which "
might come in contact Isolated lii
/ is u natural. We all crave the con
Q pa : aud co operation of our fello7
| man In the rudest conditions an
9 lowest type OF civilization, we see me
> forming. themselves into associai
!. tions for mutual defense or fC
: conquest. Man grows by associatio
g with others Moral symmetry is ul
e atiainable without it. Trees go