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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1876)
JjjjjSgS 14 Frugality. I ' i !! bold navigators us llcrwlfson, Eric l?au tin. Lull' Eriokson and others, sailed to the westward, discovered and established settlements in Greenland and explored the coasts of America, while yet the mariners of Southern Europe- hardly dared venture out of sight of laud into the unknown Sea of Darkness. Hut from the time of her annexation to a foreign power, the prosperity of Iceland has been on the decline. During the peri od of her independence, the population of the island numbered over 100,000, now it is scarcely more than half of that, Then her people were wealthy. w they are sunk in abjeot poverty, Loss of that hide pondenceand spirit of bold activity in her people which characterized her forefath ers, famine, pestilence and repeated vol canic eruptions, have all contributed to make Iceland the unattractive place that it is to-day. Uuiki.. Frugality. If even the necessities of life were giv. en to us in abundance, wo would by reason of this abundance become slothful, negligent and unhappy, and sink into de. gonoraoy and vice. Therefore, nature has wiboly limited the productions to almost the actual necessary demand for the con. sumptiou of the inhabitants. "Wo should profit by this example given us from the origin of wisdom, and use with frugality tho powers within us, for in none of us are they unlimited, and tho comforts and blessings with which we arc 8urrounded) for tho number allotted us is small. Frugality is tho first and principal step toward aflluence. A competence, at least, is within tho reach of everyone in this country, and tho failure to take this step is often the only reason why many ncvcr attain it. "Take oaro of the pence nnd tho pounds will take caro of themselves." A firm determination, with unllinchinp persoveranco, and steadfast, strict ccon iiiny, will ensure success ninety-nino times in a hundred. Frugality carefully preserves the earn ings of youth as capital for business, a re source in adversity, or a provision for old age. But economy not only accumulates means, but also inspires confidence, and secures credit, so that profitable openings for business may bo entered and retained, and preserves the character and reputa tion, while prodigality of expenditure alienates credit and confidence, squanders hard earnings, and leads into temptations , and often into gross immoralities. Frugal ity, therefore, becomes tho turning point ' in tho reputations of thousands every year. The neglect of it is often as disas trous to tno comfort, respectability, and peace of life, as absolute vice. Of our timo wo should bo especially frugal. A few minutes frequently and ju diciously applied for the acquisition of knowledge would soon give us a vast amount. If wo take care of the moments, the hours, days and years will lako caro of themselves. Diligent use of spare moments precludes many temptations to indolence and vice. Soino great author has said, " Spare moments are tho gaps through which vice finds readiest access to the soul. When not provided for they may commit you to spontaneous and cas ual engagements, and at length confirm these engagements in habits, and finally enslave and debase tho soul in more va grancy of thought and passion." Tho use of time is tho test of men. A man who makes good, true, economical use of Iiis time denotes that he is steadfast anil reliable, gives proof of character, has dis covered the philosopher's .stone, and on. tained tho true secret of happiness; wliilo one who uses timo without regard to its rapid llight is generally tho opposite Time once lost can ncver bo recovered, though it will last through all eternity; and lest each moment become an overlast ing monument of our negligence, and im. perceptibility of its llight, let each, like the patriarch of old, " Hold the licet nngel fust until lio IiIcbh thee."