The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-11-02

listeners in the wealthy congregation
who did not fully agree with their
pastor in his opinions on the subject
of wealth; although, we may be sure,
they did not take occasion to say 30 at
the moment. When men spend the
the best years Of their lives in slow
ly and painfully toiling up the ladder
of success, and are beginning to feel
that they nave nearly attained the
highest rung, they DO not enjoy being
told Men arc unccasing in their
efforts to have money enough to out
shine their ncighbors. Women must
load their persons with fine gowns
and jewels. 1t is marvel how wo-
man can wear 80 much that's valuable
in clothing. 1t throws u light on the
moral break down Of our people when
we see them not only getting into
debt for these things, but perfectly
| willing to be in debt aud making no
effort to pay their bills" That is
! another phase Of the danger OF pros
! pcrlty, since SO many are not satisfied
with having the wealth they really
possess, but are anxious to impress
their acuuaintanccs with the idea
/ that they are far wcalthier than they
really are, even though it be at the
expense of people who have given
them credit.
Another preacher in New York
adds his testimony to that of DR..
Hills. It is contained in short SER
mon Of Rev. 0. II. Roche, published
in the Sunday edition of the New
York Herald "Another form Of pride
arises from the possession Of riches.
This is one Of the most glaring,
offensive and contemplate of all the
exhibitions which pride makes of
itself. 1t is even happy if it can
arouse jealousy. 70 have many
houses, to ride out in grandeur, to
wear costly clothes, to fare sumptu-
ously, to own yacht and private
car, to command an army of servants,
to outdo ones ncighbors-surely this
does not seem like very high am
bition; yet it invariably fosters pride.
There are undoubtedly many rich per-
sons who are an honor and an orna-
ment to society, who are liberal, con-
scientious, thoughtful and bene6cent;
but there are many others who care
only for their own pleasures, and who
arc utterly inconsiderate of their fell
low men"
! Dr.. Eaton, Of Cleveland, points out
the danger OF prosperity in another
direction, and it is in one which comes
very near the heart of all parents who
love their children, and desire to do
the very best for them, so that they
may grow up to be an honor and g
comfort to their old age. "Most of
us can stand adversely fairly we'll, but
not many can stand prosperity. We
are, perhaps, inclined to think that
prosperity is always good, yet We have
all seen something OF the fearful han
dicaps under which the children Of
the wealthy labor" A boys char
acter must be exceptionally strong
when he 10 earnest in his endeavors
to make man Of himself and to
attain some worthy object in life. de-
spite the fact that he knows there is
no necessity for him to work to gain
those results. The feeling that he
can have whatever he wants without
any special effort upon his own part,
is most demoralising. 1t saps his
energy and may even make him inoon-
siderate Of others who are less fortu-
nately ciroum5tanood ethan himself.
American life furnishes few examples
of sons Of rich men who have distin.
guished themselves in any way that
was creditable to them; while it offers
Thousands Of cases Of men who have
risen from :he greatest obsourity to-
the highest position and to great
wealth. No one can suppose that We
would assert that wealth need be
barrier to success in other things; for,
if wisely used, it can be of material
assistance in smoothing the road to
great reputation; but it is in no way
essential, and may even prove a him
drance instead of stimulant.
amor need We think, when We speak
of prosperity, that tha subject has no
application to us, end is to be regard
ed as exclusively applicable to the
nillionaires Of other parts Of the ooun-
try, since immense fortunes are sci.
dom met with in our auruAr of the
world. After sall eaok .hings arc
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