Year: 1869

The Law Of LabOr--ScrniOn by Kew. Horace


Cook.


The pastor OF the Seventh street Methodist Epis-
copal church, Rev. Horace Cook, preached on the
above subject yesterday morning, taking his text
from Thessaonians l., fourth chapter, eleventh
verse. The speaker said there no instinct SO
universal as that OF seeking happiness. Phoso-
pliers had sometimes said that 1t the pre-
dominant instinct of human nature. In regard to
no other impulse had so many mistakes
been made Men had sought happiness In
every conceivable way. They mad bought 1t
by the exercise OF single faculties and by the eXer
else OF variety of faculties They had sought 1t by
avoiding activity. Moderate and excessive efforts
IN every form had been practlsed. He did not be-
heve there was any such thing as happiness for a
man who was not active-active With "a hrln purpose
and intent. Mechanics knew very well that ma
chine wears more Oy lying still without using than
he was obliged TO perform he would not live half his
days. II he spent his time In regular
industry he would be apt to be long
man could be dllapidated further than by Incidence
and inactivity. There could be no vigor robust
and buoyancy OF spirits without suitable exer
Cise or activity. The universal law Of usefulness
was that man should be useful just In proportion
as he was active. An impression prevails among
the Young that some men were endowed with a GER
tam faculty which was popularly called genius and
consequently they derived their knowledge without
study. They imagined that n man was
smart, either in politics, scholastic affairs
or any other walk of nle, he did





reverse OF all that was true. In proportion az man
was useful he continually industrious. There
was no born great that he could AFFORD 10 be
idle. There was no man, though his head were "a
massive as Daniel Websters. but needed To study.
There was man, though he were gifted like An
gelo with all the artistic tastes, bur needed TO be
what Angelo was-the most industrious man OF his
age. IL was activity that made a mans talent and
usefulness Every man should make up
his mind at the beginning 10 Keep
whatever faculties God had given hun IN
ceaseless activity There was an almost universal
repning among men when they were obliged To
labor The young man Just entering on life said


81 obliged to rise early and sit up late aud labor
necessarily, but am looking forward 10 better
tune.n In nine out OF ten tha5 better time
the evil paradise of laziness. He pointed to the
favored sons OF rich parents, who were not
born to work-who were more than USE
less 10 socety-and he envied their good fortune.
But he phe preacher) told them that that good
fortune had been their ruin and labor was
the salvation OF those who practsed It. Instead OF
bemoanng their condition they should thank God
brain and the bone aud the siuew. lie loved to sec
some sturdy. blacksmith some deliver IN the earth
elevating his vocation and making every man who
came aiter him better man. because ne had lett an
honorable name behind him. There was no reason
why who had to be constantly at labor should
not be reineu IN hts manner. There was no reason
why man who laid brick could not he perfect
gentleman. There was nothing In labor that was IN.
consistent II was the elimination OF all the highest
traits which beautlied and adorned life.