The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1906-04-17

tbe face beamed with e~en.uality. the
temple Of tn bodE become the mere
lnuda. geSture Of decay, ana Inc
wings of the god scOrcHsd and hlack-
ened by the near approach +" inc
flaming nit,
And 50 he called y fore his mind
all the youth ~ mis- Time. and planned
certain couaz-ls 10 young men lie
lowered one youth With position. with
intellect and gold, and made that boy
named Hamlet 10 fail and break hl9
heart. and ruin all other lives. Ihel'
- ia FOIL. over ia contrast 10 Hamlet
who Was slain by indecision. he set q
youti. OF modest parts, and made nm
climb by obedience To wise coult-rl@.
The name Of the youth who VIII
march OWard success IS IdefltS' aAi
that We may understand thal Jhe
climbing was difficult. NJ gave hln IN
unwlse father named Polonius- lie
thrust the yDuIn into the very timex
OF temptation, where the flames were
hotteet-Paris.. The atmospher" Also
was most unfayorable To virtue-ihe
atmosphere Of diplomacy and me
court. Then he gives young I-aeiteS
certain counsels. can he send MS
youth to Paris and arm him against
q thousand enemies and bring nm
back q youth of moral earneStness. a
lover OF truth and justice, a man 81
decision and s~elf-sacrifice. who VIII
dlt To lI8lI NlOllSS anu phiiI9Il u iHiC
and enthrone ruth? This is a problem
that fronts us. 70 the guidance Of
all youth in all ages, shakespeare
calls LaerteS To the stage and gives
him certain ~cOunSelS that Viii make
him a man Of goodness all compact.
The First Counsel on Thinking Alright.
Shakespeare begins his counsel 10
youth by emphasizing right thinking.
For years he had lived the life Of
thought, and knew how thoughts
shape habit and conduct. We are
what we think. Today's thoughts dig
channels for tomorrOW's purposes.
Deeds are only The outer and exterior
exhibitions of interior thoughts. What
we see move are hands of the
clock on the outside-What really
| move is the mechanism on the inside.
The clou0 upon the face. the quick
following sunshine and smiles are
revelators of interior storms, ana
final victory. A man who has done
more for character than shakespeare
the Apostle PauI-in one of his
Wisest pages bid all youth fix their
thoughts on whatsoever things are
true and virtuous. and the whole man
may afterWard be struck through and
through with virtue and intent.
AS dramatic artist and practical
playwright, Shakespeare knew air
about the Importance of re-
hearsing in private q perform
ance that afterwards vas to tie. civ
Ell in public. And in the hours Of
meditation thought and planning for
tomOrrOW'S political OF financial bat
tie, the youth simply rehearses in
advance his future deeds. IN thoughts
and plans Macbeth rehearseS ut tWi-
light q murder that he will aftcrWard
commit at midnight, just as in pray
cr Ophelia rehearses in advance the
white deeds that she Will do when the
morning daWns. Slowly thought builds
life. Slowly also leaves build trees,
slowly the coral builds the reef, aud
the lime water is stalactite. and the
cell the human body. Slowly.
prayer by prayer. the structure Of
character rises. The great statute is
wrought out in the workshop where
n sculptor sits with his drawings.
and measuring lines and chissel.
Habit and character are born in the
chambers of imagery. Think. there
fore, the highest thoughts. think
true thoughts, lean thoughts, think
fair and honorable thoughts, and they
will glorify thy life. Right thinking.
with Shakespeare, is fundamental to
right living.
Holding Extends With Hooks of steel.
But having secured a sound, true
ana growing wholesome disposition,
the youth finds himself in the thick
OF the crowd. He cannot relate him
sell To all men on the one hand, anG
he cannot live alone on the other;
therefore. he must make Il little circle
OF friends. Each friend is Il nerve
wire, relating the youth now to a DO
htlcai party, now to commerce. nov 70
school, now to the church ana now 10
the little inner circle of life itself.
with its friendships youth rises, ana
falls also. with their decline. Through
them personality is diffused in She
form of influence. But friendship is
an exchange. Receiving ounse
guidance and help from others. the
youth must be ready to return in like
quality and measure. To be ever ask
ng and drawing drafts on the balk
~ friendship without returning any
,h1ng is to become \ pauper III the
kingdom Of affection. This means tilat
ne who would have friend must show
hlInSelf friendly. Having freely r.
'eiVed from his friends, freely he must
also give IN return.
But i youth should test men and
make proof of their worth. Just as the
merchant tests the goods he buys.
fNery youth should be on his guard
against II ftatterer and the coph
VINO decelVeS that he may use the
outn. Amy friend whose example or
views breed discontentment. whose at
~iAoSphere is 1rreEerance, f~riVOlity and
cynlclSm: amy friend whose influence
II III FAVOR OF Extravaganza ana care
| tessness of life; any friend who lacks
he ~SteadYlng power Of a great anbi-
-lon and is without the serious tenn
permanent Will harm more than ,.c
| 1elpS , and that friendship saouli be
ofokeIl. But every youth should he
on he tx for new and valuable
| friends The wise man longs for the
comlng of Il new friend as the astrou-
)lner for the appearance Of 4 new star
lslng on the horizon. The magnet
'raWs the shining metal to itself. and
| passes by the sand And a loyal true
owing heart Will attract friends and
| loId them like steel II through
them Will quadruple its joys and hafve
ne sorrows and burdens of life.
'ie'Nare Of Ouarrels and Maintain
Peace.
1nen come S~hakeSpeare'S counsel
IN smooth and peaceable living. Life
; a battle, an ~unceaSing struggle, an
armed truce. The reason is plain
mere is sin in the world. The youth.
Nho expects TO live and die ithou
4aNlng a single enemy is dwelling in
: fooIS paradise. Viewed as a dream.
wing at eac is a praiseworthy am