Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1876)
ina 10 Conformity. Furthermore, we believe tlmt every being ttho hau rectdvod a spark from tho great flame of everlasting intelligence, has a mission to accomplish, ami lie is in duty bound to perforin that mission. Notice the little cloud as it rises above the sur face of the mighty ocean. It rises still higher, and, wafted by the gentle breeze, limits as placidly through tho heavens, as the vessel upon the fearful bosom of the u n ni Mod deej). Yet nothing is more in instructive or significant. Even tho little cloud has its mission. And the same Hand, which created the laws causing the circulation of the atmosphere, guides its course, and leads it into iU appointed place, that it may refresh tho drooping verdure, thereby performing its proper of flee. As for the cloud of heaven, so for each of us 'I here is a field of cultivation for our hand. If wo will but listen to the voice of conscience, wo surely will he wafted into our appointed places, and our missions will he accomplished. Let us again remark that it is our im perative duty to improve that degree of intelligence which the Creator has seen fit to entrust to our care. If we take into consideration the advantages and tucili itiesof which we are in possession, living in the light and liberty of the nineteenth century, we shall see that this duty is doubly enjoined upon us. Upon tho im provement of her individuals depends the improvement of tho nation. And wc arc happy to say that advancement is tho watchword of tho ago. But are wo not. perfect? Is there still room for improvement? Yes, still room. Look around. Look at the Mormons in the west. Look at the merciless out rages and fiendish crimes committed in the south. Then tho question will be suf ficiently answered. As long as the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sea contains her mysteries, as long as con tention and discord reign among us, there is room for improvement. Tho same ship of improvement set in motion by Peter the Hermit is still suiting. And we pre dict that she will continue to glldo noise lessly, yet triumphantly, and the time shall soon come when her course shall not be stayed. Suit on thou rover of tliu deep, 'Tilt round tliu world yon (jo; Making llthuHoinu uvuiy huart, Which huuUh thy work to know. J. o. s. Conformity. I have lately read some of Emerson's prose, which was a rare intellectual feast; not so much its logic, as the real original ity both in style and sentiment. Such or iginality is seldom met with in these days of conformity. Most of our literature is not much more than u compilation. If a person sits down to write a book, he mii3t have books to write from. It is similar with all tho a Hairs of life. Our religion, our customs, our manners, and our education, are dictated by confor mity and capricious fashion. If we go to church, and if we know what church we are in, we can approximately determine' the text boforo It is announced, "Wo can be sure that we will hear nothing new. The same routine predestination, faith and repentance, infant baptism, immer sion, etc. For this tho minister is paid and vowed to preach no other. How grand, how noble is individuality! it is only by tins imimuimifiy Unit wo can be ourselves. But conformity and ca pricious fashion forbids us to stand in our own shoes. Wo must wear the garb and play the part of some one else. Tho world would have us to walk, to bow, to converse nnd to smile according to pre scribed rules. Our education and religion do not make us real beings, but imitators or apes. A few Sundays ago, I witnessed a pleas ing examplo of conformity. A couple of strolling uermans entered ono ot our churches, thinking it was ono of thoir own creed. After going through a long form of silting and standing, and bowing r SssMissBJSSSSSSSSSSSBSBSBEiA