The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-04-10
Highest of all Leavenng Power-Laest U. Report
R@!a!!!!! g! Rs%asSz RRaklHS
ABSOLUTELY PURE
any loss of freedom as to the disposal
ABSOLUTELY PURE

of his time.
1t is quite true that circumstances
and necessities surround us in various
ways and that feeling of must governs
us largely in this matter. Yet the fl
nal decision of how far such a feeling
is right, and to be obeyed, or wrong tc
be resisted, rests with us at last, and
we cannot escape the responsibility. II
is, of course incumbent upon every
man to earn his living, to support his
family, to educate his children; but in
what way we shall do this and how
much of his time will be necessary to
devote to it is matter for no one but
himself to determine. The man who
immerses himself in business that he
may accumulate vast property, or that
his family may live luxuriously and
idle lives has certainly no proper right
to plead want of time for other claims.
1t is not true that he cannot comply
with them, but that he has chosen not
to do so. The woman who, absorbed
in round of gayety and society, de-
clares she has no time to train her
children and superintend her household,
is uttering an excuse as vain as it is
false. She simply decides to use her
time for other purposes. And this
liberty of choice belongs to every one,
in spite of any desire or attempt to dis
claim it.
Many persons complain of the null
tiplicity of things which they are ask
ed and expected to do, many of which
they would like to do were they able
but which they could not accomplish
were life ten times as long as it is.
Does not this very truth, which is so
fully realized in all our city life, call
rather for an increase of seltgovern-
mant than for fretful regrets and weak
excuses? Is not the ordering and ap-
pOrtioning of time one of the chief du-
ties of every free and selfrespecting
man? And having done this to tie
best of his power, and satisfied his own
conscience, need he make apologies to
the world for declining to attempt the
impossible! If everyone must then de-
termine for himself, others should al
low him to do so without interference.
We have no right to demand that. he
shall help in this reform, or assist in
that charity, or fill this or that office,
or join in Il certain enterprise, however
good or worthy we may deem them.
We may present them to his notice,
but not insist on his cooperation, or
criticize him for refusing it, for we can
not know his claims or his needs, nor,
if we did, could we relieve him of a re-
sponsibility all his own
1t is true that this freedom of choice
imposes upon us an obligation which it
is no light matter to fulfil. The con-
sciousness that we have not done this
often makes us palter and waver when
we should be selfreliant and firm of
purpose. TO detect the essential, to
arrange in order our occupations and
recreations so as to give each it's reason
able quota oftime, to adjust the various
claims upon us, SO that nothing that we
ought to do shall be crowded out, and
nothing that is superhuous shall be adj
mitted, is certainly no easy task, but
it is one which will well reward all the
plans and efforts it costs in the increas-
ed value of our lives and the selfre-
spect and piece of mind we shall enjoy.
Much of the difficulty of such study
will melt away when we discover how
many things that we are in the habit
of doing might reasonably be set aside.
Marcus Aurelius, one of the most hard
tasked and conscientious of rulers, and
one who seems to have neglected no
duty, however small, says: "The
greatest part OF what we say or do,
being unnecessary, if a man takes this
-:
and less uneasiness." Accordingly
on every occasion. a man should ask
himself as this one of the unnecessary
things?" Doubtless we should he sur
prised at the frequency with which
this question would receive an atiir-
native answer. and at the amount of
time that would thus be released for
worthy purpose. On the other hand,
we shall find that some things we have
have neglected are all-important.
There will he frequent shifting and
regarding of pursuits, with every in
crease of intelligence, and the result
will he evident in the greater efficiency
of our work and the greater happiness
of our lives. = PHILADELPHIA Public
Lo'ycr.
Mistress-Mary, how was it that l
saw you treating your friend to my
cake and fruit? Mary cant tell,
ma am, for the life of me, for I'm sure
| covered the keyhole.