Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 August 1882 — Don’t. [ARTICLE]

Don’t.

Don’t live on the shady side of the street; flowers need sun. Don’t live in the midst ot gloomy and dark surroundings ; you cannot afford it; economize in some other way. Don’t live in a room with bare walls. Chromos, heliotypes, wood-cuts and prints are all cheap, and for frames you may make them of straws or “splits.” A cross made beautiful with twining tendrils of crimson woodbine may suggest that other cross, on which the hopes of men are placed. A picture of clasped hands and raised eyes will suggest the All-Father, who hears our supplications. Pictures of a sunset sky, a running brook and waving mead-ow-land, lead us away into the fresh, still country, even though the sound es drays and railway whistles and street- 1 car tinkling bells be in our ears. If pos- ; sible do not have a home without music; : let it soften and mellow the home-life and hold young hearts together. Don’t read books and papers which suggest thoughts you would not utter.. They stain the §oul; they burn the heart. Can you thrust'your hand into soot and bring it out white and clean ? Can you singe your clothes and not have the smell of fire on' your garments ? Beware of books which are suggestive of evil, though they be clothed in the purple and gold of fine language. Don’t watch for dishonesty and evil intention in those around. Hold every man honest until proved otherwise. Thus believing in others, you will draw out of them their best, for men, ordinarily, are their best to those who bdlieve in them. Also keep your heart young and green by faith in your fellow-man. Don’t foraake your church, even though its privileges are poor. Sermons will be helpful influences in your life. You may only carry away a single sentence of a sermon, thus ; “Make the best of yourself.” The sound, too, of music will help to drive away the evil spirit of jrour soul, and raise you into a higher atmosphere; nearer to truth and to God. Don’t live your life alone, without forming friendships and iove ; your nature needs love, you were made for it, and other natures need von. You are robbing yourself, you are robbing others, if you live like a hermit. Therefore go out' into God’s world and limy our Kfejftnt for others.— Youth'B Companion.