The Literary souvenir : by Miss Rosena C. Palmer, Miss Lizzie L. Nelson, Miss Lizzie B. Williams ... [et al.]. Volume 1.: a machine-readable transcription.

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THE Literary Souvenir. BY Miss Rosena C. Palmer, Miss Lizzie L. Nelson, Miss Lizzie B. Williams, Miss Frankie L. Ellington, Miss Ruth I. Carter, Miss Estelle Thompson, Miss Ruth A. Croft, Miss Lille L. Johnson, Miss Alice B. McLeod, Miss Lottie C. Brooks, Miss Ellen L. Kights, Rev. R.L. Hickson. Volume 1. no. 1 1898. Cleona Penn. Co. G. Holzapfel

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Table of Contents.

Dedication, 3 Introduction, 5 Temperance, 7 Stepping Stones to Higher Things, 11 Early Impressions, 15 Diligence the Secret of Success, 19 A College Education not beyond the Reach of the Poor, 23 Fame, 27 Work Wins, 30 Miss Alice B. McLeod, 34 Rough Gold or Polished Brass, 35 Beethoven as a Musician, 39 The Blind Poet, 44 If Chance Elevates Instead of Merit, a Fall is Certain, 49 Emancipation Proclamation, 54 Rev. I.E. Lowery, 59 Wesley M. E. Church and Parsonage, 60 Columbia Appointments, 61 Parliamentary Catechism, 64

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Introduction.

VIEWS OF THE YOUNG.

To say that this little volume is issued to no purpose would be false. The reasons on the part of the collector are manifold and therefore must be abridged.

I. A stimulus to the authors. II. An incentive to the readers. III. Godly inspiration to the learner.

Read your own thoughts over and over and those of your race; read them critically. Make comparisons, as you read, with the thoughts of other men and others races, and the improvement will be well worth the undertaking.

Many are averse to the publication of their thoughts because of failure to cope with others, who have had greater opportunities and a more extended experience. To those it may be said that the extremely doubtful and unduly reticent very seldom accomplish much in this life. The young people who have taken the risk, and have launched upon the literary sea, ought to be encouraged by an extended patronage. We pray heaven's benedictions upon them and their efforts for good unto their lives, end.

To the readers: One's purpose in reading any book or narrative is to increase his store of 0004 8ligion are inseparable. Intemperance is the most fruitful source of domestic strife, poverty, immorality, degradation, disease and crime, and every Christian is bound in loyalty of Christ to discontinue whatever is ruinous to the bodies and souls of men. It is hard for those who are advanced in life to begin new ways. The power of habit is strong. How often have we seen or heard of the wine cup being passed in social gatherings. It is the cause of many a man becoming a drunkard. In like way women who have a mistaken notion about hospitality, or who from some inability are unable to resist the persuasion that drink is necessary to strengthen, fall into habits that are not lady-like. She whom nature and religion mark out as the children's truest and most unselfish guardian is thus unfit for a mother's place. Parents sometimes bequeath to their children a hereditary taste for drink. Intemperance destroys life. In many instances intemperate persons are often picked up dead. There is no doubt that the liquor they drank was the cause of their death. It is said that seventy thousand intemperate persons die annually in this country. On this account no insurance can be taken on their lives, When this command was given to all “Thou shall not kill,” it meant that life should not be taken by alcoholic drinks just as much as by arsenic, opium or any other way. Intemperance violates no civil law, but is the means of self destruction. We should do nothing to injure our health. God forbids any practice by which moral 0005 9nature is degraded. Gospel temperance therefore requires us to keep our bodies pure. Some believe that drinking intoxicating liquor is a “lawful indulgence.” But there is no law for this indulgence. There is a law of gospel temperance which should guard us against it. Some claim that a drink of liquor makes one feel good, but I cannot see how that is, for some shout, sing, fight, and swear; sometimes they are often helpless and senseless. This feeling amounts to nothing. It would be far better if they would find some other way of feeling good. The work of temperance exists almost wholly among men. But women ought to engage in it, for they are the real suffers from intemperance. Whose heart bears the burden of sorrow when the intoxicated husband enters the home? She bears the burden of poverty and disgrace. For instance, see what a wretched home the intoxicating cup makes for women, when it should be the centre of every attraction, but is a scene of madness and cruelty. The intoxicated husband is often inoffensive and kind until he reaches home; then the reign of the demon of his crazed brain commences. His amiable nature changes to fury. Children flee from the presence of their father, often the whole family is turned out of doors in the night and women often dragged by the hair. These scenes occur among the rich in the mansions as well as in dirty hovels. Alcoholic drink is no respecter of persons. What would a man think to see his wife or sister drinking in company with other women?

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Bible in the mother tongue, but one man Wycliffe. No learned society discovered America, but one man Columbus. No great staff of generals led the French forces on to victory, but one woman Joan of Arc. To no assembly of philosophers do we owe the existence of our Howard to-day, but to the indomitable will and untiring energy of one man, General O. O. Howard. The same thing is true of every great step in the progress of mankind. Step by step gradually they increased. It is said some men are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them. In this day few are born great and still fewer are those who have honors cast upon them.

There are more ways than one to step higher. From the instructions of nature within us we are obliged to love virtue, justice and morality, to conquer self and allow no passion to become our master, to keep in mind the words of Carlisle, “Remember now and always that life is no idle dream but a solemn reality based upon and encompassed by eternity. Find out your task, stand to it; the night cometh when no man can work. The present alone is ours to do with as we will.”

With the sped arrow and the spoken word past opportunities come not back. We have no time to lose. Opportunity has hair in front, behind she is bald; if once suffered to escape, you can never overtake her. As we enjoy and welcome the seasons as they come and go—so let us welcome and seize every opportunity that presents itself. As the years roll on each year we are 0008 13stepping higher. Thus far our step has been firm and steady; from 1885 to 1895 have we labored dilligently and earnestly and can we not make our step still higher? The great future before us is full of complicated influences, the great problems of the country are to be solved. Great dragons red with blood are already upon the surface of the waters. This is a crisis when we know not who our neighbors are. Inmates are treated as strangers, and friends as enemies. The ocean has an intimate connection with the progress of nations.

In 1492 there was a young sea captain of Genoa who had spent the early part of his life upon the waves. He was enterprising, and ambitious not to conquer kingdoms, but to discover new realms; his greatest foe was ignorance. It was thought that to comply with his request was not only a loss of money, but a loss of life. If a century later with all the blaze of art, science and learning, the most learned men ridiculed the idea of the earth revolving around the sun, how could prejudiced priests during the time of Columbus believe that the unknown ocean could be crossed and the voyage when made would open to them inexhaustible treasure; But all was clear to the scientific mariner. We are not always understood by those we labor to assist. All great movements meet success through courage and sacrifice. Personal security, individual liberty, and constitutional freedom have been attained through untiring effort. As we launch out we should remember that every life well or ill spent carries

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known to out-grow and choke the good grain, when planted first. So if early impressions are bound to last and we are to gather at the harvest what we sow, it behooves us to make special choice of the words and ideas that we are to sow in the minds of the young. One noted man has said, “give me the first five years of a child's life and I will make it either a saint or devil.” The young should imbibe the most wholesome, intellectual, moral and spiritual food. They should be surrounded by the purest and the sweetest atmosphere of truth. Even their associations should be of a most select kind, for a great man has said, “I am a part of all I have met.” Purify the child and you have purged the nation. Save the child and you have brought the world to the arms of Jesus. We may, by grafting, gather a few specimens of sweet fruit from a sour tree, but the root of that tree is sour and the surviving ungrafted branch will continue to produce sour fruit. Early impression is like Aaron's beard; may be shaved off but will grow out again. If we would conquer all forms of vice and intemperance, begin in early life with the eager and praying mind of the child, while his habitual choices are unmade and his character is yet unformed. If the individual spends his childhood and youth receiving and reproducing evil impressions, his manhood and old age will be required to reap what has been sown. If from childhood he descends with rapid speed it will require nothing lest than a supernatural law to arrest him in his downward 0011 17career. The truth of it is, he gets a going and can not stop. Let the old weep over the young now, that they may rejoice when they return bringing the golden sheaves. Those who teach that my son must sow his wild oats forget that there is a day of harvest. The wise man had truly said “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” If he is trained before his feet learn other paths he gets a going and has no desire to stop. If you impress the young while their natures can be moulded, the image may be a divine one. But it is almost hopeless to apply that mould to the old and middle aged, whose heart has become hard and brittle like flint. I believe it is for a wise purpose that the Creator left the infant character unformed, and their natures not permanently refined. It was not only that they might exercise the freedom of their will, and fix their character by habitual choice, but that the tender hand of the faithful, loving Christian mother, and the finishing touch of a patient, but scholarly teacher, might be seen in the great building of a human character. Since each of us has influence, and it is a divine law that we should wield it over the young, let us impress them for good, whether we labor in the home or schoolroom, whether in society or in church, make good impressions, for early impressions are bound to last.

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“Diligence the Secret of Success.” BY MISS FRANKIE L. ELLINGTON.

See'st thou a man diligent in his business, he shall not stand before mean men, he shall stand before Kings.”

As we look above and around us upon the blue vaulted heavens, the stars, the moon, the sun, and the myriad of worlds that move in their appointed orbits, we behold a scene such as the aged Kepler beheld in telescopic visions when he gave utterance to the imperishable sentiment. “O God, I think thy thoughts after Thee.”

We behold upon the earth, the trees, the flowers, the birds, the ants, the rivers, the rivulets, and the rills that empty themselves into old ocean's arms.

As we gaze into the bowels of the earth upon the hidden secrets and treasures there buried in untold ages, even while the morning stars sang together, we at once recognize the infinite wisdom and industry which placed them there for the convenience, comfort, and happiness of man.

The diligent man has snatched the lightning from the clouds and harnessed it, he has scaled the mountain and levelled it, he has blazed the 0014 20forest and there built mansions and temples of worship and established laws and governments. He has measured the starry vaults and computed their time and distance, he has delved into the bowels of the earth for coal, iron, marble, brass and for such secrets of nature that give to us to-day the natural sciences which have not only beautified and adorned man but have made the close of the nineteenth century the most brilliant in arts and sciences, even surpassing the literary ages of Pericles. Augustus and Elizabeth. The thought and literature of which have been admired and studied through the generations even to our own enlightened time.

Says the accomplished philosopher Locke, “If heaven were to offer me truth in one hand, and the search after truth in the other, I would prefer the search after truth.”

In all ages of the world the dilligent man alone has achieved success for us.

In the language of Pope, “who would have pearls must dive below.” And the poet Long-fellow bears out this magnificent idea when he says, “In the broad fields of battle, In the bivouac of life, Be not like dumb driven cattle, Be a hero in the strife.”

Life is a battle, a warfare, and heis most who achieves most. But let us ask here, who does not admire even now the writing of Homer, Virgil, 0015 21Livy and others of the past, of Shakespeare, Milton and Cowper of the middle present, of Addison and Irving of the still more recent present? Burk once said. “What shadows we are and what shadows we pursue. This is agnosticism and against the real and true purpose life, for, “Life is real, life is earnest, And the grave is not its goal.”

The magnificent and permanent achievements of the nineteenth century are the results of enlightened efforts. The astounding inventions and discoveries of Edison alone in electricity which have added so much to the comfort and happiness of man, show that we should always be up and doing, for God alone helps him who helps himself.

The moral, religious and intellectual structure reared under the guidance of the sainted Allen who among all men irrespective of color can proclaim the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is an indisputable fact of the secret of success for this grand old church.

The results of negro brain virtue and diligence extend from ocean to ocean and even into the islands of the sea.

We point with pride and satisfaction to Douglas, Langston, Price and Dickens who were the tribunes of the people and who have registered their names among those immortal souls who were not born to die.

After thirty years of freedom our people by 0016 22thrift and industry have acquired five hundred thousand dollars in property; and they are distinguished as theologicans, physicians, lawyers and prosperous merchants, and in short they are worthily filling every avenue of industry which leads to fame and distinction. “Let us then be up and doing, With a heart for any fate, Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.” for dilligence is the secret of success.

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A College Education Not Beyond the Reach of the Poor. By Miss Ruth I. Carter.

Our country has so developed in arts, sciences and literature that it now possesses an abundance of facilities in its increased numbers of educational men and women, colleges, seminaries and universities, so that a thorough college training is now in easy reach of all people, the poor as well as the rich.

During the days of Washington, Franklin and their contemporaries, many hundred would have contradicted the statement that a college education is not beyond the reach of the poor; but the achievements of many poor young men and women have proven the assertion since to be true.

Even in the days of the fathers those who were poor demonstrated the fact that wealth is not the only important factor to insure a college college training, but nothing short of will power.

He who wills to learn and to reach the highest possible attainment in this life, even though he is very poor, yet blessed with good health, will not 0018 24stop shorter than the top round of the ladder. Nothing is more admirable in man than an indomitable will to acquire a Christian education. Let such a one continue striking, he will sooner or later reach the desired goal.

When Waites McIntosh of Arkausas, a native of our own S. C., married he knew but little about, books the same being a diligent reader of the Bible. But all along he persistently vowed that he was going to be a man, and he continued to study and to know. The news came to us last June on a printed program of Philander Smith College that Waites was one of the College graduates for that session. In spite of obstacles he passed on.

It was not dress he was after but a fertile mind. The expenses in many of our Colleges are so little yet the schools are good, that it is needless for a person to try to frame an excuse. If he or she is healthy and strong and has the will, success is sure.

Many of those who have lived before us and shook the world with power and ability were those who were no better off than some of those among us whose intention is to stop school as soon as they finish a Normal education. Be this far from you, from any of us. The education of Normal graduates is so poor nowadays that they cannot be considered any longer up stairs or at the top. Truly there is room at the top. But that means beyond the Normal course. Look around among College 0019 25presidents and professors, and you will find those who will be able to corroborate this fact that a college education is not beyond the reach of the poor.

They have swallowed the pill themselves, and while it was once bitter and undergoing the ordeal it is now sweet, for they are reaping the fruits of their labor and are able to get more of the necessaries of life and receive the recognition of those who are in high life and the best society. They demand the respect of the “rich and well-to-do” because of this acknowledged ability.

If we have a desire to doubt that a collegeeducation is beyond the reach of the poor, refer to such men as Franklin, Lincoln. Douglas, J.D. Whittaker, Arnett and our worthy president W. D. Chappelle, and others, whom time will not permit me to mention.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the poorest boys of his day, but his poverty was no excuse; his aspirations were lofty. He continued to press forward and at last made a mark. Before his death he helped to draft the Declaration of Independence. In his eighty-second year he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, and at his death twenty thousand persons assembled to do honor to his memory.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born very poor, and wandered about as the poorest of men; and we see that his poverty did not prohibit him from attaining great heights.

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Let us think no longer that a poor boy or girl cannot receive a college education.

When we see the eminence that has been attained by the poorest boys and girls, is it not better to be born poor? We will repeat that a college education is not beyond the reach of the poor.

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FAME. BY MISS ESTELLE THOMPSON.

Fame is indeed something worthy of praise, and he who has reached the top of the ladder of fame ranks foremost among his fellow men. Yet vanity is a great vice and enters as a detriment into that which is good. Men struggle continually for earthly fame, but it is only an unreal thing or a passing shadow. To obtain the topmost round of this ladder, some of us struggle continually the greater part of our natural lives, and when we look at those who are said to be at the top we find them still looking forward to higher things; thus we find it all vanity. Fame acquired by goodness is very naturally freed from vanity. We therefore should aspire to that fame which is beyond this life. That fame which is permanent and into which the vice of vanity never enters. Why should vanity enter into that which we cannot control? The most renowned characters presented us by historians have, in the twinkling of an eye, woefully exchanged places with the most secluded of their race. Those renowned for wealth have been reduced to pauperism, those renowned for deeds have allowed 0022 28vice to enter into their inmost hearts, and thus totally destroyed every sentiment of good. There seems to be a principle within the minds of men that at certain stages of life seems to exert itself toward some effort of human greatness. If it were not for this principle we would, doubtless, be surrounded by a stagnation of things. We would not have perhaps the many improvements and developments that we see around and about us. But may it not be truthfully said that even in these things we might write in large letters “All is Vanity.” For all these things and the earthly glory they create, as well as the inventors and discoverers of them, must pass away from time. Once an old baron gave a grand banquet. In the midst of the festivities, in the midst of the wine and the music and the gay garlands, he requested the seer to write some inscription of the wall in memory of the occasion. The seer wrote, “This too must pass away.” And where are they tonight, the gay retainers of that festive hall? Like the blooming rose, like the waxen candle's light, have all passed away from time. How foolish that men have hazarded their lives, sacrificed the comforts of their homes, destroyed the peace of their country, and ruined their souls to all eternity, and all for an earthly name. And what has it profited them? In many instances little good has been done. And again would I not be asserting the truth, if I should say, that men live more for an earthly name, more that they might 0023 29get a great name, than for the real good they might do their fellow-men And you will find on a careful search that this unrestrained principle or inflamed passion, works itself into every phase of human society. We have all felt its withering touch. But what profit is it to gain a great name I ask? One says, It makes the world respect you, and people speak well of you, they praise you to the skies. Everywhere you will be called a great statesman, philosopher, a great inventor and discoverer of something that will be of great use to the present condition of things. That all may be true, but what real good is it to you, when perhaps, in principle and character you may be far behind the most humble whose life may be actuated by the proper motives.

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Work Wins. By Miss RUTH A. CROFT.

Nothing has ever been accomplished in life without an effort. That effort is called work.

The question arise, what is work? To work is to overcome resistance. There are two kinds of work, mental and physical.

If we attempt to lift a ton weight, no matter how we fatigue ourselves we can not move it. Nothing is won: but if we try to lift a ten pound weight we can move it without any trouble. Something is won: therefore we work because we overcome resistance. When we try to learn a hard lesson and succeed. our mental powers overcome the resistance and we have won it.

Mental work has given us our presidents, our statesmen, our orators, our preachers and teachers; while physical work gave us our carpenters, farmers and machinists: all of these overcame resistance.

Look at the farmer, the most independent of men. What gave him his independence? Ask him and he'll say work.

What won the American independence? It 0025 31was both mental and physical work.

For instance, take our state, what gave it its grandeur? It was work.

No one can ever say that work doesn't win, for it has won us our education and liberty.

To attain to any degree of eminence it requires earnest efforts. Thriftless individuals enjoy nothing in common with other men, because they have not energy enough.

If we want to advance in our studies or attain to any standard of excellence of character we must work. If the farmer wants an abundant harvest, he must work, else he will have no harvest.

If a man would make himself a scholar he must apply himself diligently to his books, for he can gain no superiority without work, for “there is no excellence without labor”.

The adage: “Labor and perseverance conquer all things” is true.

Many boys and girls enter school with the intention of finishing the course of study outlined, but fail because they are not willing to work and persevere that they might win the object of their hope.

Those who have risen highest in science, invention and literature are those who labor hardest.

“The hand of the diligent shall rule.” Those who have done much good are the men who had to work despite disadvantages.

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The world's history is full of the triumphs of those who had to fight from beginning to end for recognition. Burns, the poet, was a day laborer. Rare Ben. Johnson was a brick-layer. Andrew Johnson, president of the United States, was a tailor. These men dreamed of their future greatness and did not stop in their efforts until they won a name in the world. They willed success and won it.

Then, classmates and friends, the road to human success lies along the old highway of steadfast work and well-doing, and they who are the most zealous and work in the truest spirit will be the most successful.

Then let us apply ourselves diligently and ernestly to whatever we may choose as our life work; for we all have a life work to perform.

If we are forced by circumstance to earn our daily bread, let us use every moment at our disposal to enrich the mind and remember that work wins.

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Miss ALICE B. McLEOD.

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Rough Gold or Polished Brass. BY MISS ALICE B. McLEOD.

In the early civilization, when man was searching for wealth, he found many metals, each useful in its own way, but the most valuable was gold.

In his search, he also produced brass, which though not so costly and beautiful, is very valuable because of its hardness and usefulness.

Gold in the rough is not very attractive, because it is alloyed with other metals which cast a film over its beautiful color.

We who know nothing of metals would pass a piece of rough gold by, deeming it not worth our attention. while to highly polished brass we should be attracted. We would grasp at it eagerly, thinking we had found the true metal, when in realty we had thrown that aside and taken brass. Then would the truism of this adage be seen.

“All is not gold that glistens.” Only an experienced eye could see beneath that rough covering the wealth, and spy out in the other the dross.

From time immemorial, there have been characters of gold and characters of brass, but never have such good illustrations of brass been given us as at the present. Indeed it will be no 0029 36exaggeration to say that the nineteenth century is the age of brass. You think me pessimistic, but, indeed I am not. I reason from facts. This is the age when brass commands the highest premiums in our schools, societies, and even some churches. This is the age when political schemes are used in the church to secure sacred offices. This is the age when people are going wild over shiny trinkets, not noticing the real worth. This is the age when no value is placed on human life; when men throw aside essentials of true worth and toil on in search of glitter; when our law makers are simply “Nominative, I; Possessive, My or Mine; Objective, Me.”

I dare not, and do not say there is no good in this age, because there is, but the good like Belshazzar has been “weighed in the balances and found wanting.”

Prospectors looking for gold have thrown aside huge masses of black ore as useless, and toiled on in search of glitter, when in reality the black masses were worth more than all the glitter obtained.

So it is in life. We have thrown aside as useless chances for doing good or making ourselves felt in the world, and when we think of them now we say, Oh! If I had only grasped those opportunities, how different it might have been. Then it is we realize the truth and bitterness of the oft repeated quotation— “Of all sad words of tongue or pen,

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The saddest are these, 'It might have been.'”

Our young ladies feel it a greater sin to break one of the laws of fashion or conventionality than to break one of the Ten Commandments.

The young men think glitter will take with us, the ladies, so they polish the outside, and let the inside remain brass.

The time has come when there must be a choice, and now, dear reader, which will you choose, rough gold or polished brass? Think not for a moment we object to polished gold for we do not. That is beautiful and precious, and we would rather have it than rough gold. It is only the tendency to esteem brass more than gold, that we object to.

Let us not only select gold, but let us be gold. Let us not polish the manners, and let the heart go unpurified. Let us not white wash the outside of the house, and let the inside remain filthy. Let us remember that, “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart”

Gentle reader, please keep in mind that you are a “part of God's great plan.” As such you must bravely fight for right, and “do the duty that lies nearest thee.” In so doing, thou wilt lift thy race to a higher plane of civilization, and at the same time prepare thyself for living. “Be what thou seemest: live thy creed, Hold up to earth the touch divine; Be what thou prayest to be made: Let the Great Master's step be thine.”

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“Fill up each hour with what will last, Buy up the moments as they go, The life above when this is past, Is but the ripe fruit of life below.” Anderson, S.C.

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Beethoven as a Musician. BY MISS LILLA L. JOHNSON.

One writer has beautifully portrayed the thought that “music is the only one of all the arts that does not corrupt the mind.”

And again another has said, “Music is one of the greatest educators in the world, and the study of it in its higher departments, such as composition, harmony, and counterpoint, develops the mind as much as the study of mathematics or the languages. It teaches us love, kindness, charity, perseverence, patience, diligence, promptness and punctuality.”

But let us see what music is. It has been defined as (1) a number of sounds following each other in a natural, pleasing manner; (2) the science of harmonious sounds; and (3) the art of so combining them as to please the ear. Music is indeed far more than this. Ordinary language after exhausting all of its many resources in portraying the mind's conceptions, in depicting the heart's deeper feelings, reveals, after all, its poverty, when sought to describe effects so entrancing and emotions so enrapturing as those produced by music.

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Music is not a new art by any means. It has always existed in some form. Even man could give vent to his emotions in tuneful voice, and nature, under the guidance of Jehovah, sang His praises. Since God has breathed into man the breath of life and man has become a living soul, he has endowed him with the power of expressing the joys, sorrows, and yearnings of his soul in a divine art filled at times with harmonic intricacies, and again, in its very simplicity, sublimely grand.

Among the men that stand prominent as being endowed with wonderful musical genius and perseverance, the name of Ludwig Van Beethoven takes the lead. After conceiving an idea of the scope and capabilities of the divine art, he penetrated its innermost depths, and brought to the ears of a music loving world new and enrapturing forms of harmony.

This celebrated musician was born at Brun, in the year 1770, died in Vienna, 1827. He was an unrivalled composer and his works have made a new epoch in the development of music. His father noticing the extraordinary talent of his son, began early to cultivate it, and at the age of five began to teach him to play the piano and the violin. Later on he was placed under the instruction of competent musicians and made very rapid progress. In his eighth year he created astonishment by his playing on the violin, and in his thirteenth year he published at Manheim a volume 0034 41of variations on a march, songs, and sonatas. He attracted a great deal of notice by his extraordinary ability as an extempore player of fantasias and also by some compositions.

In later years this wonderful genius became entirely deaf. Although it seems that after this affliction he would become discouraged, yet it was during this time that he was in the height of his creative genius.

Being ignorant of the sweetness of home life, as he never married, and on account of his deafness, he was, in a measure, cut off from social intercourse. As compensation for these losses, he retired into the worlds of his own imagination, and after penetrating far, far, into the depths of this noble art of music, brought forth those treasures of harmony which are now ranked among the works of art which cannot die.

His works are divided into three classes. The works of his first period were important, but they show, to some extent, the influence of his instructors. The second period of this artist's life was the most brilliant and productive part of his career, but it is in the last period of Beethoven's career that we find his two gigantic works, and it is said that they transcend all common laws and forms and belong to the highest sphere of art. All of his works, however, seem to be pervaded by an impulse as of inspiration. His compositions appeal to the whole being of the listener. He wrote the sublimest music that ever 0035 42man or angel dreamed. He spoke to mankind in his divine language and they disdained to listen to him. He spoke to them as nature speaks in the celestial harmony of the winds, the waves, the singing of the birds amid the woods. Beethoven was a prophet and his utterance was from God. And yet was his first talent so disregarded that he was destined more than once to suffer the bitterest agony of the poet, the artist, the musician. He doubted his own genius.

The genius of Beethoven is of as pure a nature as the world has seen. His superior genius won for him popular admiration. Step by step he mounted the throne of fame, and his glory gathered round him by degrees. Each added success was the result of intense application. It was not his genius alone, but his genius sedulously cultivated, that enabled him to write his name so high on the pillar of musical fame. Haydn and Mozart perfected instrumental music in its form. Beethoven touched it and it became a living soul.

Music! Oh how faint, how weak, Language fades before thy spell! Why should feeling ever speak When thou cans't read her soul so well? Friendship's balmy words may pain, Love's are e'en more false than they Oh 'tis only music's strain Can sweetly sooth and not betray.

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THE BLIND POET. BY MISS LOTTIE C. BROOKS.

“His life was gentle; and the elements So mix'd in him, that Nature might stand up, And say to all the world. This was a man!”

These words of Shakespeare, the great dramatic genius of the sixteenth century, tend so beautifully to illustrate the life and character of a pure and noble man, that we can truthfully apply them to Milton, “The Blind Poet.”

Among the names rendered illustrious by intellectual superiority, of which the world justly boasts, his stands out conspiciously prominent.

It is said that no one is fit to estimate a great man who does not himself belong to that class. If this be true, how few would dare venture to judge “The Blind Poet.”

This celebrated author was born of Puritan parents in the year 1608 in London. His father was a scrivener. He came of an honest and honorable line, and was distinguished by the undeviating integrity of his life. His mother was a noble Christian woman, highly esteemed and beloved by all who knew her.

Their home in the very heart of old London 0038 45was the abode of plenty, peace, culture and piety.

This family engaged in conversations which not gossip; but such conversations as would tend to elevate and culture the mind, tempered by that sweet cheerfulness which made the poet's home one of happiness.

Great was the influence of his home life on the development of his genius.

Young John was the pride and delight of his parents, although he was reared with a sister and a brother. But well might such a lad be the pride of his parents. He was remarkable for his beauty, sweet voice, engaging manner, and his musical and literary tastes.

He must have inherited his physical, spiritual, and intellectual traits, as well as his tendency to weak vision.

From early youth he was characterized by a lofty and elevated mind. His scholastic education began early under the direction of his father. At the age of twelve he was sent to St. Paul's grammar school.

He was a persevering, ambitious young man. By the time he was seventeen he was fully prepared for admission to Cambridge College.

His true devotion to study was unabated. After having spent seven years of close application to study, at Cambridge, he received his degrees, not only for his scholarship, but for his character; yea, he moulded such a character, that as long as the world lasts, he will be looked 0039 46up to as a model for mankind.

Having finished his college career he spent five happy years of leisure at his father's home. At that time, if Milton had but known his future, his years of rest and leisure would have seemed to him but an interlude in a life that was destined to know the stormiest scenes.

About this time we find our poet depressed with grief, his angel mother having passed into the realms beyond. He decides to spend several years visiting foreign lands, especially France and Italy. Before he had traveled very extensively, troubles arose in England and he, being true to his country, returned home at once to serve her.

But, alas, how true it is that some men are branded as disturbers of peace because they dare to think for themselves. Sometimes centuries elapse before their worth is appreciated. Such was the case of Milton.

But in his character we find the noblest qualities combined in harmonious union; his mind was continually fixed on the Almighty Judge.

About the fiftieth year of his life he had the misfortune totally to lose his sight which had long been in process of decay. He felt the full force of this calamity, as is shown by several pathetic passages in his later works.

In very early life Milton exhibited a turn for poetical display. It appears as though he gravely 0040 47resolved to be a great man and achieved it.

Few will now question whether Milton should be assigned a second place among his poetical brethren. His works are the richest treasures of the kind our language possesses; unless an exception be pleaded for the works of Shakespeare.

Although his works abound in passages of the noblest poetry, he has an insight into the human heart which places him beyond all competition among the other poets. His poetry though lofty is wavering. Milton's poetry is upborne by the power of native genius, elevated by all that tends to give force and dignity to the mind, and holds on a steadfast course.

His Mask of Comus is a composition of itself sufficient to place its author at the summit of English poetry.

His L'Allegro, Penserosa and Lycidas are all written in such exquisite strains that though he had left no other monuments of his genius, his name would have been immortal.

Paradise Lost, his greatest work, was composed while he sat in darkness, and though it was composed at a time of life when images of beauty and tenderness were beginning to fade, he adorned it with all that is most lovely and delightful in the physical and moral world. It will never cease to be admired while the world lasts. It is one of the noblest poems that ever wit of man produced in any age or nation. There was never anything so delightful as the music of 0041 48Paradise Lost.

It may be doubted that the Creator ever created one altogether so wonderful as Milton, taking into view his many virtues, his super-human genius, his zeal for truth, true piety, true freedom and his eloquence in displaying it. He stood alone and aloft in his times. His immortal fame is perpetual.

And in the words of Wordsworth,

“His soul was like a star, and dwelt apart; He had a voice whose sound was like the sea: Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, So did he travel on life's common way, In cheerful godliness.”

0042

If Chance Elevates Instead of Merit, a Fall is Certain. BY MISS ELLEN L. KNIGHTS.

“All things on earth rise but to fall, and flourish to decay.”

When chance, not merit, contributes to a man's elevation, his fall may be considered certain. Hence, whatever fortune has raised to a height she has raised only that it may fall. If a man has been elevated to the very pinnacle of fortune, his foundation is not solid unless merit was the power that raised him. The loftiest pine is often agitated by the winds; the highest towers often rush to the earth with the heaviest fall; the lightning most frequently strikes the highest mountains; and those exalted by chance are most liable to the strokes of adversity. Whatever height you may reach, have the satisfaction of knowing that you have reached it on your merit. The lives of those elevated by chance are one long sham, —a perpetual make-believe. They deceive the world so persistently that after having deceived themselves, they deceive posterity in their tombs. In days of yore people were esteemed in proportion to their merit. 0043 50But oh. what changes have been brought about by time. Each passing year robs us of a share of what we possessed. Talent, beauty and health, —the most valuable possessions of human nature all fall a prey to the ravages of time. How often do persons obtain wealth by mere chance, which they dared not even hope for. But would that they could exclaim like those elevated on merit, “I have gained the palm but not without labor.” So whatever chance shall bring to you, bear it with an equal mind, for you cannot control the vicissitudes of fortune, and when your certain fall has come you will cry out “what have I done or where am I fallen?” Merit is the surest way of attaining honor. The general elevation of the inward powers of the human mind to a pure human wisdom is the universal purpose of education. Everywhere humanity feels this want; everywhere it struggles to satisfy it with labor and earnestness: for want of it men live restless lives and at death cry out that they have not fulfilled the purpose of their being. Let silence guard that height that has been raised by merit.

“Leave its praises unexpressed, Leave its greatness to be guessed.”

But take the wings of fancy and ascend to Fortune's height There touch thy dull goal of joyless gray and while awaiting thy destined fall hide thy shame beneath the ground. “I have gained the palm, but not without labor.” How sweet 0044 51is the reward of labor. The earnestness with which we strive for it is but a light labor when we compare it with those of ancient times, for knowledge is no more a fountain sealed. Drink deep until the sins of slander, spite, gossip and emptiness die. What a grand satisfaction accompanies that one who can say that he is making his way through the world by the force of his own merit. A chance may either raise or sink a soul where merit is wanting and it lieth in a direction that may not easily be seen. Its work, therefore, is sudden. Merit works slowly and surely, laying first a solid foundation upon which it builds. One may say the simple fact that chance has elevated me shows to the world that I have undergone no labor because from the foundation of the world there has been a tendency to look down upon labor. Oh, would he only reflect! Without man's labor God had created the world in vain. Merit is that divine principle which has filled the earth with all the comforts and joys possessed by it, and is undoubtedly the instrument of happiness wherever it is found. Merit is gained by the co-operation of labor and intellect. Intellect is the head, labor, the right hand. Take away the hand and the head is a magazine of knowledge and fire that is sealed up in eternal darkness. For the height to which fortune raises one has no foundation. Therefore he may find himself at the very pinnacle of fortune, but a dreadful fall is certain. For as he did not rise step by step he will not descend 0045 52in that way. Low, indeed, must be the state of that person who is content to drift through the world on chance, who has no ambition, no object for which to strive. Is it the end and aim of all humanity to accumulate wealth? How much greater, how much more lasting are the riches of the mind? If man were created for no other purpose than that of hoarding up treasures, then there would be no necessity for an education. But God bestowed upon him that wonderful machine, the brain, with the purpose that it should be trained and cultivated. We sometimes covet the height attained by others, but oh, could we see the foundation of that height! Let us then consider merit as the chief motive cause in a successful elevation, and leave success to set the seal upon height attained. Talent and opportunity may form the sides of the ladder on which we mount, but let the rounds be made of merit, that it may stand the wear and tear heaped upon it by the world. Let merit have no substitute. Let us take the eagle as an object of emulation and grow eminent by the power of merit. If you claim to have been raised to a certain height by the force of your merit, much is expected of you and much should lie in your power. While we may not produce the principle of merit, yet we may enforce the practice, and your daily acts will be seen registered that posterity may know that true merit will stand when chance shall have rotted in oblivion.

0046

0047

Emancipation Proclamation.

Whereas on the 22d day of September in the year of our Lord 1862 a Proclamation was issued by the President of the United States containing among other things the following to wit:

That on the first day of January in the year of our Lord 1863 all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated parts of States, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then thenceforth and forever free, and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them in any effort they may make for their actual freedom.

That the Executive will on the first day of January, aforesaid by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any in which the people therein respectively shall then be in rebellion against the United States, and the fact that any State or the people thereof shall on that day be in good faith represented in Congress of 0048 55the United States by members, chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall in the absence of strong countervailing testimony be deemed conclusive evidence, that such State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion against the United States.

Now Therefore, I ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me invested as commander in chief of the army and navy in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the day of the first above mentioned order, and designate as the States and parts of States, wherein the people thereof respectively are this day in rebellion against the United States the following to wit, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, except the parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terre Bonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin and Orleans including the City of New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, except the forty eight counties designated 0049 56as West Virginia and also the counties of Berkeley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess, Ann and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and which excepted parts are for the present left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued. And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose afore said, I do order and declare, that all persons held as slaves, within said designated States and parts of States, are and henceforward shall be free, and that the executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free, to abstain from all violence unless in necessary self-defense, and I recommend to them that in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages. And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service. And upon this sincerely believed to be an act of justice warranted by the Constitution up on military necessity. I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this 0050 57first day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh.

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Read what is said of “PARLIAMENTARY CATECHISM.” BY REV. R.L. HICKSON.

Columbia, S.C. May 19, 1898.

I regard the “Parliamentary Catechism” by the Rev. Mr. Hickson as very handy and useful to beginners of literary organizations, especially in debating societies, and very beneficial to older persons as well. Every child should have a copy of this catechism and study it well until his mind will become more receptive for works of a higher order.

Very Respectfully, A.E. PEETS. See page 64.

0052

WESLEY M. E. CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, COLUMBIA, S.C.

0053

REV. I. E. LOWERY, A.M.

“The Church has always needed the services of evangelists, and therefore it has pleased the Master to call men to this important office. They do a work which the pastor cannot do. There is a certain plainness of preaching, and there are certain evils to be rebuked, which, if the pastor should undertake it, would cripple his influence and hedge up his way for doing good. What pastor would dare to preach as the Rev. Sam Jones does? It would be fatal to the man who attempts it. God in his infinite wisdom, raises up special men, to do a special work in their own special way.”— Extract from a book entitled, “Consecrated Talent,” written by I. E. Lowery, A. M.

0054

Columbia Appointments.

April 3, 1866, To be supplied. March 4, 1867, To be supplied. February 26, 1868, B.F. Randolph. February 11, 1869, To be supplied. January 20, 1870, V.H. Bulkley. December 22, 1870, V.H. Bulkley. December 27, 1871, V.H. Bulkley. January 15, 1873, I.E. Lowery. January 15, 1875, S.C. Goosley. January 13, 1876, Henry Cardoza. January 17, 1877, Henry Cardoza. January 16, 1878, Henry Cardoza. January 22, 1879, J.H. Brown. January 21, 1880, J.H. Browm. January 12, 1881, E.M. Pinckney. January 12, 1882, E.M. Pinckney. January 10, 1883, E.M. Pinckney. January 16, 1884, F.E. McDonald January 29, 1885, F.E. McDonald January 28, 1886, J.B. Middleton. January 26, 1887, J.B. Middleton. February 1, 1888, J.H. Johnson. January 30, 1889, J.H. Johnson.

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January 30, 1890, J.H. Johnson. January 5, 1891, J.H. Johnson. January 13, 1892, J.N. Carter. January 11, 1893, J.N. Carter. January 3, 1894, J.N. Carter. January 16, 1895, R.L. Hickson January 29, 1896, R.L. Hickson February 3, 1897, R.L. Hickson December 1, 1897, R.L. Hickson

0056

Parliamentary Catechism. BY REV. R.L. HICKSON.

1.—Define Parliament.

The gathering or assembling of a selected or chosen body of people to discuss the things that are helpful to a country or nation.

2.—What is Parliamentary Law?

It is the mutual and settled understanding of deliberate bodies.

3.—What is Acclamation?

It is an expression of approval by the voice.

4.—Define Adjournment.

It is deferring or putting off to some other time, specified or unspecified.

5.—What is adoption?

It is the act of receiving and approving resolutions, etc.

6.—What is an Amendment?

It is the act of modifying or changing an act, resolutions, or etc, resolutions, or etc.

7.—What is an appeal? It is a challenge to a decision.

8.—What is an Assembly?

It is a body of persons organized to carry on business.

9.—What are ayes and noes?

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When there is a doubt as to the votes cast, any member of the house may call for a division; then the roll is called. All who are in favor will say yes (or aye,) those opposed, nay (or no.)

10.—What is business as applied to Parliamentary Law?

It is an established course laid down in the by-laws

11.—Define a call of the house?

It is that which determines whether or not a quorum is present.

12.—What is meant by the calling of the roll?

The calling of the roll is simply the reading of the names of the members of any organization: sometimes to determine whether a quorum is present, how many persons are present; and sometimes to determine the accuracy of votes cast.

13.—Explain a call to order.

If any member of an organization should violate the rules of Parliament, should deviate from the present business under consideration, or should endeavor to discuss any measure that has been legally disposed of, any of the members, detecting it, may stand and address the chair or presiding officer, calling his or her attention to the person speaking as being out of order. The person then speaking must always yield the floor to a point of order that may be made and await the decision of the Presiding Officer.

14.—What are we to understand by the word,

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chairman?

This is the name by which the president, vice-president, or any member of any literary organization, etc., may be called while presiding.

15.—How are motions classified?

They are the (1) principal or original motion; (2) the amendment; (3) an amendment to the amendment; (4) the substitute; and (5) an amendment to the substitute.

16.—Give a synopsis of a clerk's duties.

He should keep a time record as to the proceedings of all meetings; should hold all notes or business communications and inform the organization of the same; should sign his name to any order written by him to which the name of the President is put, etc.

17.—How may a debate be closed?

(a) It may be closed under the head of a time-limit. (b) By a motion to lay on the table. (c) By the previous question.

18.—How may a motion be committed?

By being referred to a committee for further investigations, that the organization may derive better information.

19.—What is a committee?

A number of persons selected or appointed by a organization to transact certain business.

20.—What is a constitution?

It is a written document or fundamental law that governs a state, country or body of men.

21.—Is there any difference between an assembly

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and a convention?

Yes.

22.—What is a credential?

A testimonial or certificate: Letter of credit.

23.—Define debate.

It is the unfolding of ideas and opinions concerning the subject or subjects under discussion. It brings out facts and the comparison of views that would indicate a right decision.

24.—Give a synopsis of parliamentary decision.

It is a mutual agreement of the body and the decision given, by which each member must be governed.

25.—What are dilatory motions?

Motion which are to defer any action for consideration.

26.—What does division of the house mean?

When voting by acclamation, the votes taken may be so close, as to make it very difficult to decide whether the yeas or nays are in the majority; in this case, a division of the house is called for, those favoring the motion will take one side and those opposed, the other side of the house until counted.

27.—Explain election.

At any meeting when it becomes the sense of that body to elect certain officers, the Presiding Officer, at the proper time, may state: Nominations for certain officers are in order. The persons then nominated may be voted for by acclamation,

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or by a standing vote; or by ballot as follows: As no member of that organization can vote for more than one nominee at a time, each member will write the name of the person for whom he is voting on a piece of paper and hand it to the teller as directed. After the votes have been canvassed, the Presiding Officer would ask the Clerk to read the result. The person receiving, by acclamation, standing vote or ballot, the highest number of votes, will be declared elected by the presiding officer.

28.—How may the floor be obtained?

By standing and addressing the President, and should he recognize you, then you are entitled to speak. The president may either look directly at the person on the floor, bow his head in acknowledgment, or call the one addressing him by name.

29.—What is meant by the call of the House?

It may be a notice, written or verbal, served upon the members of an organization to meet at their place of meeting at a stated time; and if a quorum, according to the constitution, be present, they may proceed to do business.

30.—What are incidental questions?

Questions that sometimes arise when there is no need for them.

31.—What is it to postpone indefinitely?

When a motion, made to this effect, prevails, then the house declines to consider that matter any more at that meetings.

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32.—What are Parliamentary inquiries?

They are such as do not rank as debates and are not speeches against other members.

33.—Give some existing methods of interrupting a speaker.

He may yield to a point of correction or the asking of a question or questions, with the right of still holding the floor. He may also be interrupted on a point of order. Should the chairman decide that the point was not taken, he should be privileged to proceed, but, if the chairman should accept the point of order, the speaker loses the right to the floor.

34.—How may business be introduced?

By calling the house to order and proceeding in the usual way prescribed by the constitution or by laws.

35.—State, briefly, plans for keeping the journal or minutes.

The clerk should say in his minutes when and where each meeting was held and give a correct account of all business transactions.

36.—What is laying on the table?

It is a temporary disposition of a question; it is not final, insomuch as it is very reasonable that we take from the table, after due consideration, that which we have laid on it.

37.—What is meant by the main question?

The question as first brought before the body.

38.—What are we to understand by the majority vote?

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It is when more than half the entire votes are favor of a question.

39.—Mention the different kinds of meetings.

Regular, special and adjourned.

40.—Explain the duty of members.

To be prompt at every meeting, orderly when in session, attentive to business and to dutifully perform what the by-laws would otherwise prescribe.

41.—What are minority reports?

They are reports that cannot be regarded as the convictions and agreements of the majority of a committee. They may, however, be recommended or moved as substitutes for committees reports.

42.—Explain minutes or journal.

I regard it as the record of the doings of each meeting of a body.

43.—How may a motion be modified?

Seconded as in other cases, a motion may be modified by a substitute or amendment.

44.—Give a synopsis of officers.

The election and duties of officers should be self-possessed, dignified and impartial. Their election should be by ballot and there should be no error as to the right persons. They should be punctual and regular in attendance and ready to do anything to build up their organization.