The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-13
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

had entered the treasure house was
repeatedly admOniShed by the good
spirit Don't forget the best" He
chose that which seemed best and
shone brightest. and so lost all One
of the tragic aspects of the life of
young people is that they can not
bring the mature wisdom of later
years to bear upon the early decisions
which affect all of their later life. In
choosing friends, in deciding habits,
in cultivating taste for literature
and pleasure, in adopting a trade or
profession, in choosing the Sweeth cart
who is to become d lifelong partner,
youth needs the ripest judgment; yet
it commonly has only inexperience and
impulse to control it. The choices
made in youth are commonly the de-
termining factors in life Wise with a.
wisdom that is above this world is the
young man or woman who makes the
great Choice which influences all 9TH
er choices.
The highest Office of friendship is to
help a friend to the best that one pos
sesses or has perceived.
Few can greatly lead their fellows:
but the least of US can lead men to the
best Leader.
When a thoughtful patriot walks
down the principal street of any one
of our cities or larger towns he is like
" to be stirred by the spectacle of
the young men and boys he sees. and
to cry,
There's sore decline in Adams line,
If this be spawn of earth" Fuzzy hats,
springing up like mushrooms after a
rain; or pancake derbyS that make
the wearers look like German come
dams; hose that carefully matches the
latest thing in neckwear; painstaking
care Of the hair that might better be
bestowed upon the heads beneath; Gig
arettes in all mouths; vulgar. shameless
ogling of passing WOmankind; speech
such is the impression made upon one
by the handles who line the sidewalks.
Naturally, the observer is inclined to
make severe structures upon young
America, and to contrast these over
sophisticated, petty-purpOsed, small
souled youth with the earnest, ambi-
tious, eager-spirited young men of a
generation ago. Really, though the case
is not so bad as it seems. Given new
IDEALS, and a new. adequate allegiance.
these young men would be patriots and
citizens of whom the land might well
be proud. OF course they need an
emancipa ton from their foolish frivol-
GUS mindedness. An incubation of
sound sense would transform them
But they have the making of a great
race in them; and I know of no means
of bringing them to their highest pos
SibilitieS except vision of the Man
of Galtlee as a. Saviour, and their al
legiance to him as captain Of their
lives. In all the carefulness of thought
of which I am capable. declare that
in my opinion the greatest practical
need of our land today, taking pre-
/ cedence Of all social and political pro-
grams. is 4 new acceptance Of the
leadership of Jesus Christ. To lead
young people to him is to do a more
practical service of patriotism than to
write new laws upon the statute books
To lead a life to the Lord is to lead
it into iargeness and liberty and love.
Before We can show anybody the
Way we must be travelling it ourselves
The might of the Master is promised
I to all who bear the message of the
Moster.
/ When q young man is in love with
| a girl. he cannot keep quiet about 1t
His happiness simply overflows. Every
| body within the radius Of his influence
! feels the joy that sings in his heart
/ So when one has found Jesus Christ
/ and he lives in the soul, the happiness
which results is contagious. Every
look and word and action speaks OF
/ him That is what the apostle called
! commencing the gospel OF Christ The
best advertisement of an article OF
merchandise is a grat<ied customer