The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-09-29
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES.
HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYs.
BY REV. R. S. KELLERMAN.

he is as poor as he feels and as rich as
he feels. There is story which tells
how a traveller lost his way amid
the desert sands and was dying of
hunger. He came upon what seemed
to be a sack of dates, which
proved to be nothing but sack of
pearls. The traveller tainted away
from sheer disappointment. If the
traveller had been we'll fed he might
have swooned for JOY. So much de-
ponds on ones appetite. The real
comforts and triumphs of life are
often sacrificed for appearances sake.
The we'll dressed knight, who, on his
dying bed, requested to be buried in
his uniform as he was, without being
undressed, made the request because
he was too poor to own and wear
shirt. He even wanted death to keep
his secret. Pride is good thing,
but we are seeking true service. A
bow was conditioned in school. His
father said to me, "What is to be
done?' Said l, HE must go back
and take his years work over again"
"My boy never could do that. He has
too much pride" "Then this ends
his education9" eyes" SWELL"
said I, II do not know your boy very
well, but my opinion is that your boy
ought to go back. even if his pride
must break. And l rather think that
his pride ought to be broken any
way"
What is it all about? What makes
three-quarters of the trouble in this
life? What about the strikes of the
coal miners, and the demonstrations of
laborers who would not labor if they
had labor thrust upon them7
This is the trouble: 1t is conflict
between the "Highways and the By
ways" The Coxeyites want good
highways through all the by-ways.
1t it impossible. And there are
great many other things that are i'm
possible also. The highways are
more attractive and our appetites in
vite us up there But when we all
get up on the highways, the high
ways themselves will then be by
ways, and the new highways will be
beyond.
Is it money or what is it that makes
the highways SO much more attrac-
tive than the ways?
There was a common, well-to do
gentleman asked by his friends if he
would stand as a candidate to be
State Treasurer. "No," he said, II
could not afford to do it. Through
one false entry of clerk, or through
the dishonesty of another clerk, I
would lose everytGing-my money,
my home, and my peace and satisfac-
ton of mind. I really could not af-
ford to move up on the highway"
But there are not many like him.
There is hardly a man but what
thinks he could afford it. Peter
thought he could go up through fire
and sword with Christ. But when
the maid said she saw him with Jesus,
he swore it was not SO. And when
the cock crowed he broke down and
went out. A friend said to me,
"Kellerman, why don't you invent
something and make some money!"
Now I own up that l have slow
tongue. I did not answer him. I
suppose the real reason is that as I
am situated, inventing and making
money are out of the question. But
I have thought it all over and have
come to the conclusion that I could
not afford to make money" and be-
come rich. What would become of
my children? would buy them all
they need, all they want, all they saw
anybody else have, all they could
use, a good deal to waste, all they
could desire-a great deal for luxury,
which they would soon weary of and
throw out as rubbish. And before
they were twenty-one, there would be
little left for them to desire 1t would
fatten them, it would surfeit them, it
would turn their stomachs. They
would despise the by-ways. they
would hate the highways, and they
would neither walk nor ride any
where with any real, fresh relish and
happiness. And instead of having
boys and girls full of grit and en-
ergy, who would lead the way of life,
who would put their shoulders to the
wheels of fortune, and give mankind
a mighty lift, would have boys and
girls limp and helpless, who would
want to ride on the wheel, and would
need somebody else to "boost" them
along
But there is certain responsibility,