The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-11


spective OF consequences. just as the
animal does.
II that left no mark on us, IL IL gave
no bent to character, IL no memory re-
viyed II. II there was no hope TO be
clouded by II all would be well Yes, all
would be- well: but we would all be ami
mails and not men.
PRERoGATIvE OF MANKIND.
II is the prerogative OF manhood to lay
hold upon the eternal and to find pleas
ure In that that has no sting.
The empty but oft times exciting novel
gives us a temporary mental pleasure
which we are oft times inclined to ac-
cept in preference to the more steadfast
and lasting pleasure which springs from
vigorous and long continued wrestling
with the deeper and more subtle prob
lens OF life.
II we choose the novel and give up all
serious reading we do not do II because
II dlssipates and enervates the powers OF
the mind. but because ~ gives us tenn
porary pleasure, which IL closely akin
10 the Joy OF the we'll developed mind
which is an eternal source OF strength.
We must not misjudge men. The truer
we are 10 the motives which actuate all
classes and conditions OF men the more
charitable we become. Men do not adopt
a certain course of action because II Will
bring misery and wretchedness TO them
selves and those about them. They may
know their action will lead to this; but
their action is determined after all I'm
the hope that they will receive what you
hope. TO experience by line of action
entirely different in character.
THE GOAL THEY REACH.
The goal they will finally reach will
be far removed but the goal they both
have I'm mind when they start have a
striking resemblance. One man tries to
attain certain end by throwing his life
away. Another endeavors to realize
that for which the other hope through
the enlargement and fulfllment OF his
life.
The difference here is a difference Of
method. II IL the same difference that
is witnessed in the method OF the woman
of Samaria and Jesus. The method as
syrflbolized by the woman OF Samaria Is
that Of concerning the appetites. the pas
sions, the whims and dispositions Of the
hour as something TO be satisfied as they
themselves may dictate TO US.
II is argued that these are natural and
that since we have them we have right
TO use them.
man lusts for power II is natural.
Let him obtain II and exercise 1t at
whatever cost A man seeks wealth. Let
him. IL necessary. tear down other mems
fortunes only let him succeed and he
will escape social condemnation.
Let nen storm and hurl their thunder
bolts at will. II they succeed In fright
ening men we shall call their wrath
righteous indignation. The lusts Of body
and mind are natural, let them be satis-
fed.
FOR TOMORROW WE DIE.
We shall eat. drink and be merry. for
tomorrow we die. II Commodus did die
type OF cruelty, II the name OF Napoleon
Is synonymous with ambition. we shall
attribute the disgrace to nature and
leave IL to her to balance her account
In other far different souls.
That men have lived such lives his
tory is a certain witness. That men do
live such lives today there is nothing
moro certain. Indeed there Is no man
who does not TO a certain extent. The
practical difference between men in the
moral sphere is the same as the differ
ence between men in the intellectual
world. IL is one OF degree. One man
may give free rein to one appetite, an
other to another. just as one man will
use alcohol as stimulant and another
will use opium.
But the Characteristic OF such life
and as such IL is bad The more self
centcred il is the worse II is.
The man who obeys the voice of his
appetites and passions is man who
believes that the world centers in his
own breast. Others rights are not to be
respected IL they conflict with his de-
sire.
ALL INTENSELY HUMAN.
Here again we are all intensely human.
How seldom we count the cost to other
men and women of this act we are about
to do or this duty we are about to leave
undone. We desire to do 1t because IL
will give us some pleasure and the thing
is done. We desire TO speak the word |
and we do not stop with the word |
trembling on our lips to reflect that IL |
will enter like barbed steel into some |
tender soul. That other soul is not TO |
be considered we are, and the word is |
spoken.
Others needs are not to be consij- |
cred whore even our pleasures and apuse- |
ments are at stake. These things con- |
stitute our life. We must do them TO |
live. Otherwise we shall suffer the pun
ishment. unbearable. of ennui and un- |
rest. dissatisfaction and emptiness
There is the continual danger OF over
emphasis. especially as we dwell upon
our own virtues and other peoples vices.
There is danger. too. in underestimate
ing i'm life those things that seem mere
~ light and frivolous and OF little mo-
ment We need to stop and think some
times how serious business IL Is TO |
seek even innocently in the outside things !
Of life our qualification and satisfaction.
EMPTY AND IMMonAL.
We need TO reflect how empty IL is
As measured by all true standards. How
immoral IL is as leading us TO seek the
attainment Of the low ends that our de-
sires often choose How mean and sell
hsh II Is since IL leads US to consider that
1ur interest Is the only interest we need
10 take into account I'm our action.
Yet this is the way that young men
and young women are being too often
trained even I'm Christian homes to meet
ife and duty and destiny. This is the
method they are led to employ in practice
Z not In theory. TO find the peace and
which the material things
" this world cannot give.
Instinctively we feel that such n life
e not q life foil OF resource and power