Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21
SUNDAY MORNING TALK.
Work, Temperance, Fun.

Chauncey NJ Depew is considered a ia
nous American humorist, but he has his
serious intervals when he says things well
worth quoting and pondering and 1t could
not have been a mere jest when he re-
marked the other day that the secret of
longevity is work, temperance and fun. To
these three elements in proper proportion
he ascribes the satisfactions and successes
of his long and happy life. He has no
monopoly on these ingredients that make
UP joy and length of days. They are with
in easy reach of any one of US, and If we
have not honestly and earnestly tried to
blend them in our own lives, why not be-
gin today? The experiment may be well
worth trying, and may take that tire1
look out of our faces and discomfort and
despair out Of our hearts
Work-how much of latent blessing is
wrapped up in that little word! The diff,
to be sure, today is in the other direction
Shorter hours and easier jobs are coveted.
Multitudes either hate their work or else
endure it while it lasts. But if they cid
but know 1t, their work is their salvation =
not too much of it, to be sure, not too ma I'd
work, but a sufficient measure of regular
useful work to call into action ones phys
ical, mental and moral energies. bust
ness man strains to lay up enough mOEey
to permit him to retire from business, but
when that longed-for day arrives ne often
Is at heart miserable. He really wishes lie
could be back at his desk or counter hav
ing an active part in the world of affairs.
No discipline is much harder for literary
man or a scholar than to be denied the
health wherewith to perform his daily task.
But brain work, you say, is quite differ
ent from monotonous manual toll CT from
household drudgery. l admit it. But can't
you force yourself to love your task in
stead of hating it? Can't you realize that
multitudes must do just your kind of work
II the world is to go on, and that in Gods
sight your labor is just as honorable as
that of college president. 1t Is true as
the quaint old writer puts it, that a woman
with broom in her hand and the love OF
God in her heart, as she sweeps the rooms
day by day, is making drudgery divine and
is helping the world to advance Just as
truly as is the minister who breaches a
sermon. Mrs. Browning has beautifully de-
p1cted the resignation and cOntentment of
one who accepts the work God gives him,
is grateful for it and cheerful in it,
And ever at each period
He stopped and sang, Praise God!
Then back again his curls he threw
And meekly bent to work anew.
Temperance No life is worth much to
its owner or to the world which in any
sense is Incorporate. In the matter of eat
ing and drinking certain persons in order
TO be temperate have to become total alb
stainers. Because of their inheritance or
because OF their own acquired tendencies
moderate indulgence with respect to this
cuiple OF that lIqulQ Is Impossible And
the safest way for young men is not to
presume upon their ability to cope with
their appetite when once it is aroused. But
temperance means much more than ones
attitude toward what one eats or drinks
1t means self-mastery, the power to discern
when one has had enough of anything. 1t
means also temperance in speech in moral
judgments, in dress, in general decorum.
Be a temperate man, then, not in a mar
row or partisan sense, but in your whole
attitude toward life.
Fun Don't leave this element out Life
at best is serious and strenuous enough
Have your times of let-up Even Glad
stone needed to chop down trees OCCASION
ally and Presidents have to go fishing or
bear hunting. We cannot keep up to con-
cert pitch all the time and do the best work
Let the clock run down occasionally and
don't think that, because you cannot take
trip to Europe or sport automobile
you cannot have any fun. Put your dig
nifty aside and sport with little children now
and then Condescend to the birds and
flowers. Let your dog or your kitten amuse
you; or have hobby. know a man with
great business interests who gets his pleas
ure and respite in hunting for and acquir-
ing old furniture. No mans life ought to
be so full that he cannot avail himself
comedy, a pleasant social evening with
friends. Thus we freshen ourselves for
future tasks
Work, temperance fun-They may not
be all the elements that make up a happy
and we'll balanced life, but when rightly
blended they go far not only toward in
surfing for us a green old age, but toward
making each day as it comes and goes
worth while. THE PARSON.