Gilpin observer., 1909-04-01
The Commercial Age.

esty and intellect is not always the
standard of value.
The civilized world is at present
passing through the commercial age.
A man passing through Scotland
asked an old woman the question,
Where does Thomas Carlyle ive?"
She said, THAT daft creature, why
do men spier after him? You ought
to know his brother Jamie; he can
raise a weel more swine than any
man in Dramfries." But regardless
of the old woman's mercenary view,
Thomas Carlyle has left to the world
possessions that cannot be computed
by the sign of the 5. His words have
been an inspiration to many, to
leave them above the sordid things
of the world, and give them a
glimpse into that realm that is in
vaded only by those who are devel-
oping the ennobling characteristics of
their soul. The world is too much
with US; the striving after this
worlds goods impoverished rather
than enricheth. We are too anxious
,, 70 trade our heavenly gifts for treas
ures upon earth. and this worldly de-
sire prevents us climbing to those
celestial heights which is only at
tained by those who have left every
selfish desire behind, and are working
for the pure love of creating that
which will beautify and uplift There
are men who have been endowed
with social prestige; with superior
intelligence; and with an enviable
influence who have refused to take
that exalted position in the commun-
ity which they should fill, because Of
their absorbing interest in material
ism, and very often after making
such a sacrifice have filled in the
lines Of their adoption.
There might be a satisfaction that
would repay such an one if he
could be a Rockefeller or a Morgan,
but what is his satisfying portion
when he has dropped the bone in
grabbing at the shadow.
Milton was not thinking of receipts
when he wrote Paradise Lost"
Robert Burns was writing from the
q, pths of his soul, those words o:
tenderness to the field mouse with
out a thought of any remuneration.
Millet was living in poverty when
he produced the "Angelus," and re-
ceived for it but pittance. 1t is
said that Harriet Beecher Stowe was
living in her kitchen when she wrote
Uncle Toms Cabin" and that her
later works. when she had acquired
wealth and title, lacked that touch
of sympathy and faithfulness which
she has Incorporated in Uncle Tom.
She was in touch with humanity then
and could feel their needs.
England and the countries of the
| old world hare attained to greater
heights and have cultivated their
| aesthetic nature to a greater degree
than the new world, which is perfect
Iy natural. The Plymouth Pilgrim
had no time for piano playing and
painting in oil. He had Indians to
fight, and wells to dig, and founda-
a nation out of the raw material on
hand. He must build churches, and
schools, and hospitals. and prepare
for the coming generations, and he
had no time for the higher finer
things. Sometimes we think we
have been a peaceful nation, but In
the history of one family we can
find great grandfather with Brad
dock in the old French war. His son
was with Montgomery at Quebec.
His son was at Plattsburg in the war
Of 1912, and his son was with Gen.
eral George Thomas in our Civil war.
The nation has not until now, had
an opportunity to do It's best In the
line of material progress we have
done well, why not lay aside those
things that retard. and let us claim
our Inheritance. Considering the ma.
terial blessings with which we have
been endowed. there is no reason
why we may not set the pace for
every other nation on earth, and ex-
Gel them In educational. social and
artistic lines. What is needed is men
and women with ability. who do not
need to give every moment Of their
time to the acquisition of the needs
Of the body. and are willing to give
their time to the ennobling and up.