Idleness is a Curse.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XXII, 28 November 1903, Page 64

Idleness is a Curse.

“It is not all of life to live or all of death to die.” This maxim should be indelibly impressed upon every human soul, but unfortunately far too many live as if their only obligation consisted in eating, sleeping, and existing their allotted time of three score and ten years. They seem to think that it is no fault of theirs that they are in the world, and that they are much abused in having been born to suffer, to live and die. as all mortals must, sooner or later. This is a most absurd position, and is unworthy of anyone of intelligence, and betrays a most ungrateful spirit to Almighty God for the blessing of life, liberty, and the privilege vouchsafed to all of working out a far greater and eternal wealth of glory in that blissful world where neither sickness, death, nor sorrow can come than can be won in the great world in which we live, move and have an existence. It was never intended that mankind should spend their lives on flowery beds of ease, but that all should work out their own eternal salvation. The parable of the talents illustrates the degree of responsibility resting upon every creature! none are guiltless who have wasted any of life’s precious moments. It is within the power of every soul to change its environment. Poverty may embarrass but cannot crush out the divine spark that is inborn in every human heart. Innumerable difficulties may surround everyone, but if one makes untiring effort and exercises the right kind of judgment he will usually overcome everything and find himself victorious. It

may take patience, forbearance and desperate exertion, but the conditions encompassing one can be changed. It depends absolutely upon the conception which every human being puts upon life, its responsibilities and its possibilities. If his range is limited by the few brief days of mortality and does not extend to immortality after life’s fitful fever is over, he fails to appreciate its full meaning or the transeendant glory that may be achieved in this world and in the heavenly world to which we are still tending. He who suffered as men suffer and died an ignominious death on the cross has furnished an example for the life that all creatures should imitate. “He went about doing good.” revealing Himself to men that they might learn of Him “ways of pleasantness and paths of peace.” Selfishness, covetousness, penuriousness, unrighteousness, idolatry of material things, make their impression upon the human heart, and out of its fulness the mouth speaketh. the outward expression being always the reflection of the inward soul. Who has not seen individuals in whose countenance there was a light that could only come from holy living or the innocence of childhood ? And. again, who has not had a shudder pass through him in looking upon faces distorted by crimes committed and the evil that possessed persons with hideous faces? Some lives may be fuller than others, as some have greater talents than others, but the simplest life may be pure ami undefiled, while the greater genius may. by his mighty power, arouse the whole world and bestow upon mankind the benefits arising from the achievements of superior ability. Behind all ambition must Ire a noble purpose for the good of all mankind, or it will perish in its inception. The all-wise Creator works in no narrow channel. His plans are for the universal happiness and welfare of all His creatures, and He would that none should perish or fall short of the glory or happiness all may attain. The innumerable moral codes laid

down for living out correctly one’s life are useless if in the very beginning one’s heart is not right. Be sure that all evil is rooted out of your heart and all will be well. The good will dominate and right impulses spring forth spontaneously. Onee the mind is filled with pure thoughts there is no danger of degeneracy. no matter how powerful the influences of evil may be that compass one. The philosophical adjustment of one’s self to whatever lot the fates have decreed is of primary importance to every individual and will spare them much un-

happiness. The envy borne toward the rich, the effort to imitate them in their excessive extravagance, the desire to copy them in their idleness, the wish to eat and drink as the gourmands do, are the causes of much misery to hosts of people, and could they know how little of health and happiness these same rich people enjoy their envy would turn to pity. Idle-born pleasure seekers are the least to be envied of all people. They have exhausted all sources of pleasure and destroyed the fountain of health by their indolence and self-indulgent lives. Their minds are occupied with schemes for selfish gratification, and are therefore dwarfed and unproductive of good to themselves or for mankind. Those, on the other hand, who earn their bread by the sweat of their brows, as God intended all men should, are healthy and happy in the thought that they are doing something for the betterment of the world. They have no time to magnify the ills of life. They are indifferent to physical indispositions and by activity of mind and body overcome the ills that beset them. No great human benefaction has ever been born in the brain of the indolent heir of millions. Let every man born of woman imitate the example of Him who hath redeemed the world from the curse inflicted through Adam’s fall and his life will be full of joy and usefulness, and his triumph over death and the grave the beginning of eternal life in mansions above the skies which He went to prepare for all who follow Him.