The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-07-10
HONEST AND DISHONEST WEALTH.

HONEST AND DISHONEST WEALTH.
There is a pious cant and political
demagogy which effect to desplse money
and constantly repeat: "The love OF money
is the root of all evil.' Yet these people
are the very ones who are constantly dlg-
cling away at the root! They never mss
a chance of hobnobbing with the rich and
buying at good bargain. The Bible does
say, "The love of money is the root OF all
evil,' but the Bible also says, Money an.
swereth all things" Money is defense"
If money comes to you honoraoly and goes
from you usefuly, it is one of the greatest
blessings YOU can possess. The Bible
would not assure us that "the blessing of
the Lord maketh rich" if wealth were an
evil. Perhaps it would be better if there
were no great fortunes. But they exist
and more are accommodating, end what the
end is to be cannot be foretold. 1t is large
CAPITAL that has made possible our railroad,
steamship and telegraph systems, estab-
lished our manufactures, opened our
mines, built and sustains some of our most
important institutions of learning and
charities covering every conceivable case
of need
Working men, be determined to get on in
the world: 90 at your business with all the
vigor and all the brains that you possess,
and make all the money you can honestly,
and God grant that every one of you may
be rich some day. Thousands of our rich
men are our very best men-humble, de-
vout, benevolent, Christian men. They
are not lifted up with the pride of wealth,
the rankest Of all kinds. They keep mann
mon in its own place and turn it to good
purpose. They have gotten riches by
right, by using the brains and muscle God
gave them, and His blessing has come
upon them.
Some of our rich men have had to run the
gantlet of pistol shots of revenge. They
we're hated, not because they were rich,
but because it was believed that they made
their money dishonesty or because they
were heartless. Who would have been base
enough to threaten Peter Cooper or George
Peabody? They had millions, but they had
something in their characters greater than
wealth, that irresistibly softened hatred,
drew the hungry to them for bread, the
naked for clothes, the ignorant for educa-
ton and the frendless for a friend.
The mechanics of a few years ago are
the employers and managers to-day. The
great mills, factories and industries of this
country are controlled by men who were
merely laborers at day wages few years
ago. Every man stands or falls by himself
Individual manhood is what tells in this
land of the free. You cannot legislatt
prosperity. Gods way is work. And the
desire for money is most valuable incen'
tive to industry. How do men, as rule
get on? By cultivating the higher attri
butes of manhood.
Brian power always takes precedence
Our successful men, instead of spending
their time in clamor and idleness, devot
their time to learning how to do bette
work, which alone leads to prosperity. Us
your brains Make the best bargains 20,
can for yourself. Take care of your health
Live slowly. Don't despise little things
Listen to reason. Cultivate self-control
Be strictly temperate. Save your money
but do not be mean. Act we'll your part
Have a hobby. This is an age of special
lists. Assert your individuality. Don
take your cue from others. Don't drift
but steer. Prove your right to the title Q
man. Whatever you do, do itwell. Hav
high purpose, noble endeavor and
useful end in view. Grapple like ma
and you will be man. Remember tina
there is plenty of room at the top. B
patient. Emerson says: mo one ca
cheat you out of ultimate success but your
SELF Don't ask anybody's pardon fc
the liberty of being in the world. You ar
here. Act as though the world had waite
for your coming and yon were PERSONAL
born to the task of performing a gran
part in it. If you will, you can 60 almos
anywhere.
You cannot divorce business from moral
ity. You will be rewarded hereafter,
not always here, according to what 70
make of yourself as man in the ways {
nobleneSs and integrity.