Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-23
Unfortunate I.nrk.


Observations OF PhOsoI Incal Friend:
A great Latin poet has made whole
satire in showing how little we know
about what is good for us. and how
Ignorant we are in Offering our prayers.
/ The ready gods, he says. have upset
whole families IN granting their petitions.
IL Is very amusing IN our later years
10 think OF the idle wishes and aspra-
tions OF childhood and youth: and IL -
pleasing 10 dwell upon the many foolish
desires that the Heavenly Father would
not let us crafty. The blessing pro-
nounced upon the poor. and the fatal
dangers 70 the rich lie In the constant
denial, or the ready qualification OF vain
and common appettes and passions. Man
hood grows and developes according %
what II feeds on. IL IL lI amused and oc-
cupied In toys and yanitics, and fed on
dainties, II developes into an accOmplishei
triier. and expensive and unproductye
consumer. Such are known as "rati con-
sumere fruges," and nothing more; or.
possibly, the chaf which the wind
bloweth away from the face OF the earth.
for which they have done nothing. On
the other hand. those whose hard lot
confines them 10 only life giving food
and hard, strengthening exercises VI
mind and body, are the heroe- OF life
the true lords OF creation. There ara
hundreds and thousands that show us
what an unfortunate thing II is to be
born 10 fortune, and waste thu spring,
the seed, and forming time OF life In
idleness, and reach fuH growth OF sell
tishness, ignorance, and boo0yism.
Luck In the wrong direction is a
calamity. The instruments of darkness
win us with honest tribes. 10 betray ~
in deepest consequence" a lucky hit In
strfr. D. linz "a H.
ruin OF many man.
IL is a good. wholesome thing to be an
ugly duck and not a general pet Tho
ugly duck passes its ugllhood In looking
for what's intrinsically best and most
beautiful, In thoughts on real beauties
OF mind and character, and In essential
and everlasting truth, and comes 10 tho
knowledge OF the supreme good. Thu
pet and favorite practices pretty, childish
things and superficial charms, and nayer
gets out OF childishness and the love oc
admiration. The greatest animals are
the longest In the womb OF their mother.
And long and severe apprenticeship
makes the best master workman. Adyer-
sity Is virtues season.
1t is an uniucky thing for man 10
have an accomplishment that makes him
quick living and commends him u
the crowd that draws lles. His successes
are his misery; his admirers hts fatal
enemies. What was said OF issscher had
best be laid TO heart by all beginners:
And he saw the land that IL WIS plea
SAINT; and rest, that il was sweet; -
he bowed himself and became servant
10 tribute. lie was the strong ass crouch
ing under his burdens. IL Is right to
do well and thoroughly whatever We have
TO do, but In manly way-from
manly motive-and In a manly direction.
The ploughng OF the wicked is sin, And
the hardshlps that develop our manhood
are blessed; the other sort OF good for
tune is a cursed blessing.
All these are elementary teachings OF
hell and Heayen--of Dives and Lazarus;
the unfortunate lucky and the lucky
miserable. Life moves toward enlarge
ment or degradation. And our daily sac
rinces are for the higher or lower copdi-
'tions. The devils press gangs hourly
urge their shilllngs on us 20 enlist W
In his service; and the Spirit knocks At
our hearts with trials.