Year: 1875

ana ambition eXeTtS over nm Wn0leSOme and beneficial influence. The unpracticed human will is insatiate in it's demands, boundless in it's expectations. For it's ex- orbitant desires the universe were scarcely | too immense for possession, nor it's store of endless qualifications too abundant for it's satisfaction. But inasmuch as man is | constituted to find his earthly welfare in specific and limited enjoyments, it is obvi- ously needful that he should learn to mod crate his inclinations, and not unreasonably spend his strength in pursuit of an inordi- nate and impracticable happiness. There fore his life has been wisely hedged about with limitation, te the end that he might the better conform himself to the manner of existence for which he was intentionally created.

 The strife aLd conflict with necessity, whereto he is constitutionally appointed, is accessory to the evolution of that personal and spiritual freedom which is open to his attainments in the world of human effort. Through hsrdships and manifold shapes of trIal he advances towards an ultimate con tentedness; and on looking back on his thorny and obstructed path, ,can even thank fully discern that the things which had once so formidably impeded him, contribu- ted nevertheless by their severe and rigor- ous stimulations to brace and invigorate his strength, and operated in the end as furth- erances of his progress. In this light at least many brave spirit has estimated the effects of difficulty upon it's individual cul : tivation. Bitter doubtless, in the passing were the harsh straitenings and humllia tions which tue proud sufferer had to bear in his long and disconsolate journey on the bleak highways of expectation perpetually deferred, with the rough tempests bowling round him, and over his. unsheltered head only the wlde starless gloom and unmitiga- ble cheerlessness of night; yet when the dawn of a more prosperous day arrived he could the more wisely bless and welcome the joyful sunlight, and while remember ing the bygone travail of his soul, take comfort in the sight and neighborhood of cheerful things which, but for that remem. brance he might have overlooked or gazed on with irrational indifference. l Whosoever is called to buffet with mis- ! fortunes, to toll unrecompensed under the weight of irksome tasks, to sacrifice upon the altar of his necessity his best gifts and aspirations, ol in any way to bear in his own person the painful burden of poverty or wrong, he surely has cause to deem his destiny insupportable were it utterly with out remedy or hope; but in the faith that there is nevertheless, in all seventies a coy- ert and inextinguishable beneicence which can exalt and purify the soul of him who bears them bravely, there is an abiding con- solation which may sustain it in patient and unwavering endurance.

 A profound wisdom and an admirable encouragementa are conveyed Tn that memor- able saying of our illustrious and universal poet:

 "Therc is a soul of goodness in things evil,

 Would men observingly distil it out"

 The interest and admiration of the world are centered forever around them that brave with magnanimity the propositions and hos tility of circumstances. What is it that SC endesrs and glorifes the hero but the lofty and unquenchable courage which, even in humiliation and defeat, renders him invinc. ible? It is the godlike and undaunted en- ergy which flinch not at danger, which stands erect and splendid amid ruin and des olation and carries it's noble head under all reverses and disasters with an undminished consciousness of dignity. How tame in comparison is the pampered stateliness of cushioned ease, the soft prosperity tha, winceth at the irritation of a nerve This is neither beautiful nor honorable in the sight of any man. None but the mean and frivolous will condescend to pay it homage. But the constant sympathy and compassion of mankind cling naturally about the brave, about the valiant men and devoted women who sustained their souls in cheerfulness amid calamity, wreathing for them graceful garlands of imperishable love, and com memorating their steadfast patience with songs of admiration. The very gods, as was said of old, look with gracious ap- probation on good man struggling with adversty. Nor is it reasonably to be doubt ed, notwithstanding the endless wreck oi noble natures fallen in weary conflict with tlibulation, that the adversity has ever beeH permitted, to the end thst they who have to contend with it might thereby the more excellently illustrate their manliness. The enuobllng virtues that have flourished il all ages and shed a magnificent adornmt n

 around the history of man have been nur- tured into grandeur and stability by tho rude assaults of injury and opposition, by the ungenerous but inspiring buffeting o

 difficulty and moral hardship which, in aim I ing at thelr repression, furtbered and fos- tered them into more manifest perfection

 Be of courage, thou Responding heavilylader

 heart nor falter in the prosecution of any g enterprise which thou canst conscientious

 ly and calmly justify; for ln this thou al

 doing bravelY and art in the way of trut endeavor, even shouldst thou never com pass any visible success. Nay; there is o shall be inevitable victory for all tho , worthy If not now, yet assuredly hereaf

 ter, in some higher, more congenial sphere

 of being and where the compensations oi fidelity are more perfectly dispensed. He who has looked upon the sun when, after

 stormy dsy he went down in glory, may

 have seen therein an emblem of human faithfulness-how that which is beautiful is never lost but becomes finally vindcatee

 and revealed-may have seen that the loid- ly orb whose presence was obscuret , throughout the day had nevertheless pur' sued his path across the heavens; and tha the clouds which intercepted his shining