The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-04-04
LfFE-WORK.

In lew matters Is tIleIe ieoo "AouoAAA
shown than in the choice of the things
which men let into their lives, or to which
they apply their hands or their hearts,
Indeed, with most it can scarcely be SAID
that there is any choice or discrimination
whatever. What they shall do, what they
shall take up in their short lives out OF the
million possible things is not determined by
any active volition or upon any wise prln-
ciple Of selection, but altogether by exter-
nal causes, by the stern necessity that
drives them, or by the casual voice that
solicits them. But few lives are wrought
out on any plan. The largest part OF things
happening in practical life are brought
about with no definite purpose. No doubt
it must always remain true that many OF
the most fruitful results Of our lives must
flow from our unpurposed and implanted
influences. And yet this fact does not
justify US in living without plan, or in &C
cepting blindIy without discrimination
whatever floats to our hand.
Goethe said, 81 respect the man who
knows distinctly what he wishes. The
greater part Of the mischief in the world
arises from the fact that men do not suffi-
GENTLY understand their own aims. These
are wise words. 1t is this aimless work
that wastes so many golden years.
An ancient philosopher classified all
things about him into those things which
concerned him and those which did not
concern him. To the first he gave his
thought his time his heart, his hand. He
admitted them into his life. From the
latter he conscientiously withheld himself
He could afford to spend no time upon
them. A little thought will show any one
that wisely-ordered life must always
maintain and resolutely observe similar
classification. 1t is not enough to divide
all things into right and wrong and admit
all the right. There many things, not
wrong in themselves, that we cannot afford
to take up into our life. The fittest only
ought to be selected, and the fittest for one
are not so for another.
This thought may be made more practi-
cal by applying it more closely and def
nitely. No one can read more than very
small proportion of the books in the world.
How shall we decide what to read? Some,
in their busy Iife cannot master more than
two or three books in year. Should they
not select out Of the millions the two or
three very choicest and best, those which
will help them the most and leave the fair
est touches on their lives? Out of the vast
multitudes of men and women about us we
can have but few close friends whom we
can take into the innermost circles of our
hearts companions. Should've not discrim-
mate wisely, and select for those few friends
the very rarest, choicest, noblest spirits we
can find? We can do but very few out
of the multitude of possible things. We
may work in sand or in marble; if in sand,
the first wave will sweep away every trace;
if in marble, it will endure for ages. Or,
we may work on human life, and it will
stand for eternity. Should there not be
decisive selection as to the material on
which we shall work and the things to
which we shall put our hand?
Many people are perplexed as to what
amusements are right and what wrong?
They ask whether they can do this or that
and not vitiate their standing and charac-
ter. Is there not another test, also? May
you wisely do anything and everything
which is not absolutely wrong? Should
there not be discrimination even among
innocent pleasures? Is not the influence
of some amusements more refining and
improving than that of others? Or, have
you time to spare at all for amusements?
A young man recently complained that he
could get no time for reading, as he had to
work all day, and then there were social
engagements every evening. Can he afford
to spend all his evenings in amusements?
If he is wise is he not bound to elect for
himself that occupation of his spare hours
which shall best help to fit him for man
hood S work? ---~-z-@
In passing through magnificent bazaar
gentleman remarked, 81 am amazed to
see how few of these things / need" It
is SO in this great, busy world. Of the
million things about us there are but few
that really concern US, that are really es-
sential to our LIES happiness and success.
Many Of them are positively deleterious
in their influence and will work harm if
admitted. 1t is but the smallest number