Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-11
Cherishing Nature.

CThe Observations Of a Philosophical
Friend OF Ours)
The very highes. possible art IL 10 wait
upon Nature, 10 follow Nature. delicately
and reverently to help her purposes and
designs. The worst quackery IS TO per-
vert and hinder her designs and Eubsti-
tute our ideas for hers-to supersede her.
Not only may We grossly interfere with
her work, but in her name and in the
ways OF nature. We may overdc things
pass beyond her wise and modest limits,
and In our eageruess and Ohiciousness
and extravaganza disappoint our efforts.
Horticulture shows many examples Of
this. Vegetables and fruits are cult
waited 10 a great size, and in their blgness
lose their favor. So roses and other
flowers are oyercultivated, and cease 70
be suggestive Of either grace or delcacy
And men, women, and children are over
cultivated and made up In just the sama
way and these are known as only &C
tors-"put up Jobs
The divine art Of education and cultl-
walton is TO honor the nature that God
has given each one OF Us, and 20 make
the most Of IL. II we have special gifts
graces, and powers. they win largely take
care OF themselves. The lesser power
or DEFICIENCIES must have our special cher
ishing. 70 even up TO erect symmetry
that all may mutually help, support. and
perfect. We sin against our own souls
when we let our feebienesses Wither and
die, while We make spoiled children OF our
special gifts and talents.
II Is a dangerous thing 10 have special
talent. Often 10 proves our ruin. Wnat'
ever the gift be. whether 10 belong %
the feet as in dancing in the voice az
in singing. or in the head as in wisdom
It is IN danger OF Outdolng rs. From that
source that promises most direst evil
comes. The saying OF the wise man Is
that knowledge puffeth up but wisdom
edlfeth. Undigested Information swells
US I'D ike poison or intoxicates US like
whiskey. Wisdom builds US up and
strengthens US. and imparts spirit and
life.
Overlooking sVells us up, bloats and
benumbs Us; puts us all out OF proportion
and slows our faculties. And 0verreadin.
does just the same thing-makes the ful
man. and puts the powers 70 sleep. And
not only that. but a certain kind OF read
ing inebriates. vitiates the taste and
fancy. mixes in our eyes the cOlors OF
good and evil and produces a kind Of
common sottishness; cegrades manhood
We acknowledge. as the most pleasins
and attractive Of graces, the general
character OF naturalness The preserva
ton Of It and the feeding Of il. so that Vi
may attain the fulness OF our being
that the viii OF God may be fully car
ried out in Us, Is true growth. Why
should not men and women be satisfied q
grow as the lily. or as the tree planted
bv the water side. and wait for the giorl
that comes OF God only? Why Shout,
we not be content to be what We are
10 grow our own growth, and bring forth
our fruit I'm our season. We are only
ridiculous as works OF art, as frauds
As honest people we are honorable. W.
deform. pervert, and benumb our soul'
by overreading. BY carefully studyns
and laying 70 heart only the best things
we strengthen our own powers, we cul
tivate our moral and intellectual diges
ton. confirm, enlarge. and Perfect ou
own real selves. and establish our hes
estate. There Is no limit TO the wisdom
OF the precept: Keep thy hear
with all diligence. for out Of il are ths
issues OF life. Natural growth continues
Frauds are but FOR a moment. a good
honest, natural. and devout heart Is IN,
spring OF manhood and true life WheI
we dishonor and fight against nature W.
fight against God-and make fools OF our
selves