Smyrna times., 1896-07-01
"STREAMS VERSUS POOLS"

ct admlttance to the opera HOUSE.
"STREAMS VERSUS POOLS"
Streams are currents of water which
Ow continually along q given course,
nd seem to be hurrying merrily upon
heir way, anxious to reach their desti-
alton; while pools are bodies of
tagnant water, which always lie in
he same position. They never press
onward, and are therefore not of much
'enefit to mankind.
When we think of all the work that
streams do, and have done, it reminds !
is of the busy, ever active people, who
re continually increasing their know
edge, or doing something for the bene-
it and pleasures of others.
Life is often but q struggle from be-
ginning to end, with many who are
ever ready with a cheerful word and
smiling face, when there is scarcely a
thread left of the hopes and OppOrtuni-
ties which seem to have promised
years of happiness and cOntentment to
them.
Longfellow beautifully describes
such lives as "Sunless and silent and
deep, like subterranean rivers run
ming through caverns of darkness: un-
seen, unheard, and unfruitful." i"
The old figure of calling life stream
is we'll applied. We start out in life,
like the brOoklet, and as we look
ahead, everything seems to be ac-
cOmplished so easily, that we glide
along with careless joy. When we be-
come older and are jOstled and con-
strained by many cares, we find the
journey laboriOus one, and the course
rough and circuitOus. The stream
grows larger as it flows along, and day
by day our knowledge increases and
we find something new to do. Just as
the noisy little brook babbles carlessly
through the beautiful old forest, with
out seeming to notice the dainty nod
ding blossoms, or the rich velvety
moss upon its banks, so we often pass
heedlessly by some of the greatest joys
of this life thinking we can find some
thing more attractive: but how often
we are deceived.
We would naturally think that {
stream would in short time become
consumed, as it is continually wasting
but it is renewed by some unseer
power. At length, it attains its great
est volume, and commands admiration
by its beauty and power. Thus will
the stream of life. AS it nears its end
it arises another, and yet the same,-i
noble stream. 1t hastens on through
fertile valleys and at last, unites will
the vast ocean of Eternity.
Lowell says
New occasions teach new duties,
, Time makes ancient good, uncOuth,
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.
Spare moments are the most valua
able parts of. our lives. If we max
good use of them, happy and important
are the results: When neglected, the
are gaps through which temptatio
finds its way. The people in any con
munity who have done a great deal {
good, are not the pools of society, bT
uniformly the overworked class, th
fresh water streams, who are presse
with cares from January to December
Bacon has said:-"Charity will hardl
water the ground where it must firt
fill a pool" Charity is intended I
benefit, not the lazy, but those WI
try to gain living, and cannot on a.
account of surrounding dificultie
If we were to fill the pools of idlenes
it would accomplish but little goo
and the soil of industry could not b
come fertile. When water stands,
} gathers impurities. If we would
pure and filled with noble traits, v
can reach that high attainment, on
by exercising our mental, moral, al
physical powers. Mental power is n
h. the inheritance of birth, nor the rest
;. of few days study. 1t is acquir
;. only by long and patient labor.
;. When young, we plan a course
action for life, but as we near old az
we see more and more clearly that
are simply borne here and there like
stream, even though against our wi
Our channel has been marked out
US. We perceive plainly how lit
control we have over our course, a
that our resolutions and endeavC
which seemed to give such a guidi
+ course to our life, are, as the poet
put it;-"But eddies of an appoint
stream, that rolls to its appointed enc
y May we ever strive to be like strea
I which are being purified continual
and like the babbling brooks ne
w complaining nor murmuring, but
ways busy and active! Let us sing
happy song, and wear sunny sm
Q And let us ever bear in mind
v. beautiful words of Meredith, that g
stream to its source flows seawa
however so lonely its source, but SC
land is gladdened. No star ever r
Il and set without influence somewht
|, No life can be pure in its purpose,
strong in its strife, and all life not
purer and nobler thereby"
'A' vALEDICToRY.
- To night, a new Pierian spring Fl
- an outlet, and the drops of knowled
- that have been accumulated by
class of '96, go forth, to greet
world. AS they start through fourt
separate channels, it is with me
choly pleasure, that they break fC
from past associations. We
orc spent pleasant and profitable years
uiV gether, yet an all-wise Providence
ordained that we must part. He
planned the several courses and
,iaU cannot stem the current.
''s1 We enter into our mission to soci
t with kind regards, and an affectio
farewell to all.
IN To you, the people of Smyrna,
have been SO long accustomed to