Year: 1870

by D. >. PAChAKD.


The hope Of the country is in its young
men; the hope of young is in the strength
Of their integrity and the incorruptibility
of their lives.


1t is question worthy of profound
thought whether the tendency of the age
is toward liberalism which is likely to
end in social Generalization, or whether,
through the intense materialism which
seems more and more to direct our eper-
gies and shape our lives, we shall preserve
intact those higher sentiments Of honor,
honesty, and accountability to God which,
in all ages aud under all circumstances,
have proven the rock of safety and the
key to true progress.


In his "Tale Of Two Cities" Dickens
seems fully to comprehend this popularity
of public hope and public apprehension,
which, though not confined to any age,
seems especially appropriate to the pres
cnt time: .#s ......


at was the best Of times, It was the
worst of times it was the age Of wisdom,
it was the age of foolishness; it was the
epoch Of belief, it was the epoch Of incre-
dulity; it was the season of Light, it was
the season of Darkness it was the spring
Of hope, it was the winter of despair; we
were all going directly to heaTen, we were
all going directly to the other place" "
ETC., etc.


Thus are our hopes, wishes, apprehen-
sions, and fears forever mingling and for
ever opposing, and thus will it ever be
that the season of light to one is the sea-
son Of Darkness to another; that the very
circumst; noes which to some are full Of
promise, of life, of the verdure Of spring,
to others are but the forebodings Of chill
ling frost, of despair, and death.


There can be no doubt as to the real
progress of the world for, uotwithstand-
ing the conviction which is often forced
upon us that individuality of character
and pureaess of life are being lost sight
of by those who are soon to a5stmo the
direction Of affairs, not one among us all
would welcome back the days of fifty
years ago. ""


Never in the history of the world was
there such hope for the future as now
never such opportunities for individual
progress; never so many accepting and
using those opportunities.


1t is not true now, nor has it ever been,
it never will bo, that vice prospers and
virtue has no promise Of reward. 1t is
not true noY, never was. and never will
de, that those who live temperately, deal
Justly, and respond in their every act tc
the demands of conscience and the best
good of society, have not an even chance
in the race for worldly prosperity and re.
cognition. ... t


The young men of to-day need to be
selEguarded against the glitter and show
of false life, however it may seem tc
carry with it the approval of men and
favor Of riches. Shrewdness and the dis.
honesty which gives it space for action
may serve a temporary purpose. They
may even win applause from thoughtless
men and womea, wko really do not intend
to countenauce the wrong; but in the
end, surely, that life which has the clean
est purpose of well-doipg will be the sue.
ce.sful life, and no temporary glitter car
long blind the world to this fact.


The hope of the country is. in its young
men. ..


The hope Of young men is in. their abll'
ty to put aside the glitter Of false life,
and to grow strong by the practice %
manly virtues,


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