Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1907-05-28
HI6ER
AMERICUS AND THE hl6ER
THINGS OF LIFE.

Life does not consist merely in
eating and working and sleeping.
The brute creation does that, and
finds ample satisfaction In the
routine of life ordained TO it. But
man has a higher nature that IN
sists on higher things. Even IN
the least cultivated nature there
are outcroppings of the innate
warming for that which lifts IL
above the mere animal. Oppor-
tunity for expansion may be denl-
ed to many, but to none mas
nature failed to furnish mental
and spiritual character that cries
out. unless deliberately suppressed
for a long period, for sustenance,
for encouragement, for an atmos-
phere in which it can thrive and
grow and broaden out.
The higher things ofIife! These
must be encouraged if man or
woman is to be rounded into full
maturity, if life is to yield the full
sweetness that it holds in store for
those who know how to extract
it. The material things of life
we must have. But the aesthetic
side when cultivated and develop
ed, is the one that yields the most
lasting happiness. Not only does
it holds in check the gross mater
ialism of humanity, refining it as
the fire refnes the gold, but it
build up dual nature, makes
man composite being who can
slought off the hard, bitter, ugly
realities of the world and find com
fort and elevation in art, music,
literature-in the great life OF
sentiment and beauty.
a city without the higher
things of life is but a mass of brick
and stone and frame, a hive OF
industry and trade, perchance a
place in which money may be
made, but not a place where the
full life can be lived, where the
nobler nature can expand and
reach its highest development
The city where due attention i;
| given to the nurture of a cultivated
citizenry where the enduring work
of man is cherished, where these
landmarks of rounded life
music and literature-have made
their abiding place, such city ha;
in it elements of attractivenesf
that tell for the future of its PEG
pie far more than its mere materia
aims.
1t is qualification to know tha'
some of these higher things o
life are encouraged in Americas
that they have taken deep root.
and fourished and are bearing {
rich fruitage. The article BY
Miss Annie May Bel, in Sundays
Times Recorder, drew attention
to the growth of musical culture
here. That in this city there are
several hundred students of music
that there are thee well patronized
schools devoted to that art, thai
the public taste in musical matters
is gradually, but surely, being
elevated, all this speakes highly
for this city. What has beer
done in music cannot but lead u[
, to love of that which is best in
the other departments of true
culture. A musical city can never
have low standard in its Other
tastes. As It's musical standard
is elevated it must be lifted up il
other directions as we'll.
The time will yet come when
Americas will have It's musica
festivals, when it will have suffi
cient number of lovers of good
music to bring here the noted
artists Of the country, when it will
be possible to offer to the public
the best vocal and instrumental
talent of the day. That time may
not be far distant. The teachers
here are doing good work. They
are a direct benefit to the city and
it is pleasure to utter a word o.
commentator and encouragement
The Times Recorder stands for the
industrial and business upbu1ld
ing of Americas, but it stands for
the higher things of life as well