The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-02-11
OLD AGE AND ACTIVITY.
Americans Never Are nut Always te
be Blessed IN the Matter of
TnLing Rest.

Taking Rest.
How shall we SO order our existence
that we may escape the bitter disappoint-
ments OF ageg The greatest sage can lay
down no rule; but one OF the best means
Of being happy is 20 remain active and
useful as long as life abldes with us, says
the Philadelphia Ledger A common
icriticism OF Americans which has some
Justice IN Il Is that they never taks the
leisure to enjoy life Early and late
they are striving and working; they
never are but always TO be blessed; after
career OF hard labor and struggle they
Keep on toiling and molirg; after win
ning a competence they eagerly seek a
greater fortune and az last die In har-
ness. after life OF feyerish activity,
without having tasted the sweets OF sue
cess.
In England and on the continent q r.
different II IS common for men who
have amassed a modest competence 10 re-
tire from the cares OF business IN middle
age, and to spend the declining years
oaskiLg on the sunny slopes Of ldleness,
or In the mild pursuit Of pleasure The
American carries his activity too far but
who shall say that, consciously or un-
consciously. he has not chosen the path
81 visdom7 Old Dr. johnson said there
was rothing which an elderly man should
so much guard himself against as the
putting himself out 20 nurse; and Il
should be remembered that the conclu-
sion reached by the great Burton IN his
Anatomy OF Melancholy" was: BE
not idle: be not solitary" The blade
wears out from rust sooner than from
use. ard the man who retires from a life
u activity with the notion that he win
gain happiness Is taking the most haz-
ardOus of all steps Happiness Is az
best a deluslve and fugitive creature. ard
be who hopes 70 attain It hy devotion
TO pleasure Is doomed 10 disappointment,
South SAYS Of the person who would be
happy by thus devoting himself 20 re-
creations that before long he would
Nv to the mines and the ealleys for HIS
recreation. and 20 the spade and the mat
,ock for a diversion from the misery of
acontiaual unintermitted pleasure But,
on the contrary. the providence Of God
has so ordered the course of things that
here Is no action. the usefulness of
which has made d a matter of duty ard
Of q profession. but man may Scar the
continual pursuit Of Il without safety
and ioathinf The same shop and trade
hat employs a man IN his youth em-
ploys aim also IN his age Every morn
Ing he rises fresh to his hammer ard
anvil; he passes the DAY iu singing. cus-
tom has naiurallzed his labor 10 him:
hls shop is his element. and he cannot
with any enjoyment 10 himse live out
of f."
In the city OF Philadelphia there r.
,sutenarlan. of whom newspaper readers
have recently had some account. who e
IA fine example of the worker gairlrR
happlnesa hy Keeping active Thh cha
oiaro strineer has labortd CO years ~
hls trade and isNcnnatia worfman His
health ls good and his faculties have re-
mained unimpaired There Iaa erertund
luportant law of nature n uorh 81 cases
Ire these. mind and hodg are made for
ise; q We use them. We shall keep them
strong srd healthy: n 9e use them not.
We losa the capacity 20 use them tneci-
lively. On their activity depends health
~ body. mird ard soul Many perfors
are NOT eomuelied 70 work fer living:
others eaHuo. always obtain suitable eu-
ployment; but tne safa rule for rich or
-9or Is TO have sor1c interest. rome pur-
,Hif n which The mind ar body q exfr-
-ised aii through Ire. Many 4 man Who
wns miserable before has gained hsrnl-
1fss even - riding hobhY-by studying
,ome period Of the worlds history b.
fnrdeuirg by visiting the places Of In
tfrest iu the town or country IN which
ie lives The wise counsel for al is 10
work Or play and 70 work as II you we're
piaylng Sydney Smith SAYS anely
n am convinced that 4 ls for long
ime in every mans power 70 determine
whsiher he wiil be ola ar not The OUT
wrrd marss q are We are Ell ~ "a very
wiiilae r. defer foreetfius that we may
wear the Inward bloom of youth with
rHs dienify and rracs snd Be ready 70
earn ard eager 20 give pleasure 70
others. % the latest moment of our ex-
silence"