THE BATTALION.
7
the after purpose of our lives. As one of my old professors
used to say: “Habit makes character and character makes
the man.” The building of a character is a work that goes
on all through life, but it is most important in youth and
early manhood; it is the seed time ot life. There is no cry
of want in the outer world if a seed time of neglect brings a
harvest of want. There is no cry ot injustice if thistles
spring from thistle-seeds sown. As little right have we to
complain if in after years we find a character dwarfed, de
based and deformed by the evil actions of today; as little
right have we to impugn the wisdom of Almighty God if our
“wild oats,” as they are called in palliation, leave scars upon
our manhood, which years ot reform fail to wear away.
Let us, then, be up and doing. Now is the accepted
time. Let us conform ourselves more nearly to the perfect
model and we shall form characters which shall stand in
after years as noble monuments of God’s handiwork. And
when we have finished our course and we shall be at last
called to our rest, may we be able to say with the apostle:
“I have fought a good fight; I have kept the faith, and now
is a crown of righteousness laid up for me!” And may we
enter into these joys and blend our voices with those in song
around the great white throne in that place
“Where no storms ever dash on the glittering strand,
While the years of Eternity roll.”
What is Life ?
^ f
A dainty kiss, a little hug,
To the parson’s then skedaddle;
For food and raiment then to tug,
Then o’er the Styx to paddle.—Ex.