Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-30
Measures of Manhood.
observations OF a Philosophical Friend
OF Ours)

Therefore, tits meet
That noble minds keep ever with their
likes" Julius Caesar
Under the head OF weights and mea-
sures our arithmetics give rs various Ia
bles. We have liquid measures and dry
measures long measures, square and
solid measures, land and cloth measures
and then we have avoirdupois. apotheca-
ries', and troy weights. When we come
to the measure of manhood, we have al
most as many units of measure and
ways of estimating. Indeed, 1t is a little
| amusing to notice the terms that are
used in describing natures. one is su.
perficial, another square. another all
around, another narrow, another deep,
another large, another very small Ana
accordingly, fgurative weights and mea-
sures are used in estimating them.
But. besides this. the measures Of man.
hood vary just according TO mems ideals
and notions of that good for the sons
of men" which they may enjoy Under the
sun.
In what is known as the World" the
standard in general terms is the Man Of
Fortune" And the common crowd look
on the conspicuous in that light, and
estimate manhood. by the money stand
ard. In the World Of Mammon, a poor
man Is nothing. He is like a cipher and
has no value except as he is associated
with an integral figure. 1t is absurd:
e.
saturated with the love and admiration
of money, and become thoroughly fnan
clal they live and move and have their
being in ideas of wealth: They are alb
solute Idolaters. The curse of Midas is
on them. All they touch turns TO gold.
Essential manhood and true religion and
just measures of value are no more TO
them than a table of liquid measure or
troy weight Is TO a surveyor of land.
Their world is made up Of well-to-do
people, capitalists and milliOnaires. How
can they weigh virtue and manhood with
their gold balances.
The highly intellectual man has his
weights and measures; his mental horse
power force, grasp, responsiveness, and
extent, length, breadth. and thickness
and he measures and estimates manhood
and men by his tables and his units and
standards. And he will ignore his weak
and ignorant brother, though he be great
by the money table, and count him no.
thing. And he will count the poverty
stricken genius as a man Of great wealth,
as of the honorable of the earth He re-
CARDS the moneyed men as only pieces
on Natures chess-board, presently all to
be tumbled together out of sight.
Another table is that which measures
men by their muscle and fighting quail
ties. OF this the liOn-hearted is king, and
and reckless disregard OF danger
and death is the highest phase Of man
hood. This has a dignity when, in behalf
OF truth and duty, men are ready, like !
the great Apostle Paul, to face all dan
gers and endure all hardships, and glad
Iy lay down their lives. But separated |
from that its virtues are shared with |
wild animals.
Again, there is the table OF business |
qualifications. The standard here is the |
On its face this standard |
Is very high. The most high god is the |
infinite business-man-"w wonderful in |
counsel and excellent in working" Yet. |
when this great standard is without great |
motives and high and honorable aspira-
ions. what is man but a machine? And
yet in the business world men are esti-
mated by the standard of successful
working.
Still, lower down there are those who
-alue and admire men, as they are Good
Judges Of cotton, tobacco, and horsefesh
Z wines or teas, or dainty dishes, or &C
ording 10 their skill in any art or ac-
as big eaters or drinkers.
a man is something or nothing, just as
e is in the company of his fellow wor-
hippers; of those who use the same
OF value. the same weights ana
measures that he uses
And yet there are true and universal
'eights and measures, and there is One
tandard by which manhood is to be
Measured. At His second coming the
ivers' weights and measures AID idols
hat have possessed mankind will be cast
D the moles and bats, and He alone will
e exalted as absolute, divine man.
Meantime the words of The prophet
re to be needed: Let not the wise man
lory In his wisdom neither let the
lightly man glory in his night Let not
ne rich man glory in his riches; but let
i'm that glorieth glory in this that he
and knOweth Me- hat !
m He that exerciseth loving kindness
nd righteousness and Judgment In the
irth, for in these things | delight. saith
lie Lord of Hosts.