FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67  
68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   >>   >|  
, you should make no apology. You might let your regret appear in your face, but it would not be proper to put it in words. * * * * * {65} Social Duties. Man in Society is like a flower, Blown in its native bed. 'Tis there alone His faculties expanded in full bloom Shine out, there only reach their proper use.--COWPER. The primal duties shine aloft like stars; The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless, Are scatter'd at the feet of man like flowers.--WORDSWORTH. * * * * * {66} [Illustration: GIVING A PARLOR RECITATION.] 1. MEMBERSHIP IN SOCIETY.--Many fail to get hold of the idea that they are members of society. They seem to suppose that the social machinery of the world is self-operating. They cast their first ballot with an emotion of pride, perhaps, but are sure to pay their first tax with a groan. They see political organizations in active existence; the parish, and the church, and other important bodies that embrace in some form of society all men, are successfully operated; and yet these young men have no part or lot in the matter. They do not think of giving a day's time to society. 2. BEGIN EARLY.--One of the first things a young man should do is to see that he is acting his part in society. The earlier this is begun the better. I think that the opponents of secret societies in colleges have failed to estimate the benefit which it must be to every member to be obliged to contribute to the support of his particular organization, and to assume personal care and responsibility as a member. If these societies have a tendency to teach the lessons of which I speak, they are a blessed thing. 3. DO YOUR PART.--Do your part, and be a man among men. Assume your portion of social responsibility, and see that you discharge it well. If you do not do this, then you are mean, and society has the right to despise you just as much as it chooses to do so. You are, to use a word more emphatic than agreeable, a sneak, and have not a claim upon your neighbors for a single polite word. 4. A WHINING COMPLAINER.--Society, as it is called, is far more apt to pay its dues to the individual than the individual to society. Have you, young man, who are at home whining over the fact that you cannot get into society, done anything to give you a claim to social recognition? Are you able to make any return for social recognition and s
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67  
68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
society
 

social

 

responsibility

 

proper

 
member
 
recognition
 

societies

 
Society
 

individual

 

assume


things

 

personal

 
organization
 

tendency

 
return
 
obliged
 

colleges

 

failed

 
lessons
 

opponents


secret

 

estimate

 

benefit

 
support
 

contribute

 
earlier
 

acting

 

polite

 

WHINING

 

COMPLAINER


called

 

single

 
neighbors
 

emphatic

 

agreeable

 

whining

 
Assume
 
portion
 

blessed

 

discharge


despise

 

chooses

 

church

 

duties

 
primal
 

COWPER

 
charities
 

soothe

 
WORDSWORTH
 

Illustration