The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-03-24

minous history. Cicero, Rome's
great orator and statesman, said
"All citizens are engaged in a dis
graceful occupation; and Aristotle,
a stranger to Christian philosophy,
said: "The best regulated cities will
not permit a mechanic to be citi-
zen, for it is impossible for one who
leads the life of mechanic, or hired
servant, to practice a life of virtue.
Some were born slaves" But for
tunately, there came ONE mightier
than Rome, Cicero or Aristotle,
whose magnificent life and example
forever lifted the ban from labor,
and redeemed it from disgrace. He
gives significance to labor and dig
nifty to the most menial service.
Christ did not say: Come unto me,
all ye pleasure-hunters, ye indol-
ent, ye lazy; but, Come all ye that
labor and are heavy laden" A
noble manhood or womanhood will
lift any legitimate man in this un-
stable equilibrium lest the satisfac-
tion from the possession of that
which he struggled so hard to get
rob him of his ambitions for new
conquests. The struggle to obtain is
the great gymnasium of the race
Labor is the school-master of the
race. 1t is the grand drill in life's
army, without which we are only
confused and powerless when called
into action. What a teacher indus
try is! 1t calls us away from con-
ventional instructions, books, and
theories and brings us into the
worlds great school-into actual
contact with men and with things.
The perpetual attrition of mind up
on mind rasps off the rough edges of
impractical life and gives polish to
character. 1t teaches patience, per-
severance, forbearance, and applica-
| ton. 1t teaches method and sys-
TEN, by compelling us to crowd the
most possible into every day and
hour. Industry is a perpetual call
upon the judgment, the power of
quick decision; it makes ready men,
practical men. why my Lord"
said an English clergyman to the
Bishop of Litchfield, lit is the easi-
est thing in the world to preach.
Why, l choose my text after / go
into the pulpit, and then go on and
preach a sermon, and think nothing
of it." "Ah, yes,' said the Bishop,
that agrees exactly with what
hear your people say, for they hear
| Ile SeTluOH anu Iuey, 100, IulHk nOJn-
ing of it." They all long for success
but they want it at a discount. The
''one price" for all is too high. They
covet the golden round in the lad
der, but they do not like to climb
the difficult steps by which alone it
can be reached. They long for vic
tory, but shrink from the fight.
They are forever looking for soft
places and smooth surfaces where
there will be the least resistance,
forgetting that the very friction
which retards the train upon the
tracks, and counteracts a fourth of
all the engines power is essential
to its locomotion. Grease the track
and though the engine puffs and the
wheels revolve, the train will not
move an inch.
Work is difficult in proportion as
the end to be attained is high and
noble. God has put the highest
price on the greatest worth. If a
man would reach the highest sue
cess he musSpay the price himself.
No titled pedigree, no money inherit
ed from ancestors with long bank
accounts, can be given in exchange
for this commodity.
He must be self-made or never
made.
EDW. w. MORRISON.