Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-03
Sunday Morning Talk.
On Living Ones Own Life.

The idea of following courageously one
own instincts, desires and tendencies Is a
taking one in the abstract and in the con-
crete leads often to splendid exhibitions OF
Independence We must be true TO our
selves and avoid undue difference to the
oninions of others or unrfghteous compll-
ance with their customs. To be constantly
hemmed in and fretted by external restrlc-
tons takes the spirit out of an ambitious
person and he either becomes an automaton
or an anarchist.
But like every good idea this one Is sub
iect to abuse. When the college sophomore
takes the bits in his teeth and lets the
proper liberty accorded him by professors
and parents degenerate into an improper
license. when an ardent alleged patriot or
social reformer defies public sentiment by
following his own sweet will. when anyone
cloaks his finer faults or coarser sins with
the plea that he is only living his own HE
and that he will take all the responsibility
for his actions, if he can only be let alone
such persons stand for only a spurious llb-
erty and block the spread of the real article
No one can ever live his own life apart
from certain external restrictions OF per
sonal liberty. He is held first OF all by So
cial conventions Rare occasions arise
when he is justified in rising above tnein'
but as a rule one would better not uisre.
gard the code of morals winch represehtE
the best sentiment of the community IN
which he dwells That is one or the prices
we pay for association with our fellow men.
We tacitly agree to conform not merely 10
the laws on the statute BOOKS, put the uil-
written standards that are supposed TO gov
ern behavior II these standards are olo-
Fashioned we will do our best to modify
them II we cannot conscientiousiy coh-
form to them we VIII temperateis 1Api soo o
and carry into effect our dissent But we
will not thoughtlessly and needlessiy pain
and defy the best moral sentiment OF our
fellow men. ,,.,,
Another and greater embargo upon nvlng
ones own life in perfect independence
rises from the family relationship INTO
which every one is born. Father AND
mother. wife and child have claims upon
US that cannot be Ignored. Inc man . W.
does despite to these primary and intimate
relationships Is looked upon as social OUT
cast. and he ought to be. or course they
involve self-sacrifice. They often interfere
with plans for ones own pressure or Pc
sonal development. But what of thadF
Nightly interpreted and fulfilled these oDli-
cations do not narrow life. They enlarge ~.
Still another restriction on perfect iiperty
is less palpable less universally admitted.
but none the less real and far-reaching. IL
n man has a divine origin, as we peheve.
then the power that made him mas certaih
rights in him. We may dodge TINS ep ,,,st,,
we get to heaven, but It exists right mere.
and now God has a certain property reht
in us. 1t is only a square deal on our part
when we accept as from Him. and kindly
intended. the wise restrictions He places
about us 1t is risky business Trying TO CIT
c,,mvent God. And the effort 80 to do al
ways falls.
After all living ones own life may De a
pleasan pastime for few days. put IN
the long course of the years 1t Is far more
satisfacfory to live O life duly related TO
the best ideals of the community. the oDn-
cations of the family relationship and the
claims OF God. ,