Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-07-09
W. T. Williams.

W. T. Williams.
AS we all know these names are
the names of two brothers, born at
the beginning of time, the SON. of
Adam and Eve. Both were brought
up in the same atmosphere, but we
have every reason to believe that they
differed exceedingly in disposition. AL
though nurtured in the same home
their temperaments were widely apart.
One was a farmer and the other was
a shepherd. Both very honorable posi-
lions, and yet, we read that Cain was
jealous of Abel. "And in process of
time it came to pass, that Cain
brought Of the fruit of the ground an
offering unto Jehovah, And Abel, he
also brought of the frstlings of his
flock and of the fat thereof. And
Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to
his offering; but unto Cain and to his
offering he had no respect. And Cain
fell. And Jehovah said unto Cain.
Why art thou wroth? and why is thy
countenance fallen? If thou doest
well, shalt thou not be accepted?
and if thou doest not well, sin lieth
at the door; and unto thee shall be it's
desire; but do thou rule over it. And
Cain told Abel his brother. And it
came to pass. when they were in the
field. that Cain rose up against Abel
his brother. and slew him." AS we
have said this happened at the begin
ming of time.
This is about all. we know of the two
brothers, so far as the record is con-
cerned, and, it is enough for our pur-
pose. They bring to us just exactly
what we want. They are to US in
this age as though they had been born
again and living among US. Never
were they more alive than they are
now. Circumstances have pushed them
to such conspicuous places that we
cannot fail to see them and feel their
presence. They are our companions
day by day, and with one or the other
we m of necessity. For they
represent the channels in which we
have planted our feet. In the strength
and the goodness of Their characters
they remain unto this hour, manifest
ing their dispositions in our own. The
elements of their personalities are the
bases of what we are. They are the
representatives of our lives. We are
Gains or Abel's, and the question is,
which one is the sire of our life
Each one of US must answer for him.
self, nevertheless, the answer must
be made; and in spite of our skill in
ljugglery we belong to either Cain OF
Abel. 1t is useless for US to try tt
deny it. This is the case. and never
was it more so than at the present
Every tongue, every act, every att
tude substantiates our claim concluS
lively. All we need to do to see ant
feel it is to look and think. 1t is il
the air because it is at the bottom
of our beings. We are the follower
of the strong mar or the good man
and if we are not able to discern this
we are dull indeed. We are SO insus
ceptible that we are DANGEROUS
inert. Very seldom we r1aet a pc
son without a hero, and those we 4
meet are generally insane, and hi
= Zero is the strong man or the goo
man. Which is ours?
: Once upon a time a father Gale
~ his son to his side. He was the onl
ut one he had, and, of course, his bosor
lg heaved with fatherly good wishes fo
him. So, after talking with him a lii
ed tie while of this and that, he aske
e very seriously:
casper, what kind of man woul
es you like to be? 1 should like to fin
lg out for reasons of my own. AS 20
" know. what is mine is yours, and
thought this morning that I would il
uuire into your chief intention. Yo
have graduated from the high schoo
and before you leave home for co
e lege, I should like to know your ide
III concerning the foundation on whic
YOU hope to build your character
&c This is right, for I want to help yo
:, all I can. I'm your father and I war
. nv son to establish himself upon tn
y principles which will aid him to be
u useful citizen. This is my desire, an
now. let me hear from you"
n The boy looked at his father sober
= ly, but without hesitation he answer
ed:
g 81 want to be a strong man.
should like to be the strongest ma
in the whole world"
The father turned his eyes dowr
wards, and after a pause, he went or
n "My son, to be a strong nan
= very desirable, but to be a good ma
is more so. This you must remem
Der always. Strength unless it's cor
q trolled by goodness may lead you il
to paths of which we must not thinl
), and for a young man who will tur
his back on his home in the neal fl
20 ture, an understanding of this kind
valuable beyond estimate. First. b
~ a good man. Have your mind ixe
a on this idea, and then your strength
- whatever its amount, will be sal
= within its confines. It will not Ell
danger any ones peace and comfor
Strength must be founded on gooC
ness or else it's liable to become
/, dangerous asset. because very likel
YOU won't go through this world will
out being tempted at times to use i
Will the son of my heart promise
oive this matter his very best after
tion?"
The boys look had deepened into