their dwelling-place be an uncarpeted cabin, while those who lack this
restraining grace will be "uncultivated" though their surroundings
afford every comfort, beauty, and luxury. It should be a thought of
encouragement to us, and an inspiration of hope that we may possess the
true and imperishable riches of a cultivated spirit, however poor and
struggling our lives may be, or however barren of external beauty our
surroundings. Culture depends not on material possessions. In fact, the
very abundance of conveniences and comforts and elegances often seems to
have an injurious and deteriorating effect on individuals and families
by producing in them a selfish love of personal ease and exclusiveness.
On the other hand, the painful and patient economizing of humble toilers
often produces an unselfishness and patience and gentleness of demeanor
which is in effect the very finest culture.

In these days of specialists and artists and architects and
upholsterers, anyone who has money can possess himself of the material
surroundings of taste and culture. His house may be "a poem in stone"
exteriorly, and a "symphony in color" in its interior adornments. This
much of the products of genuine culture he may buy with money. But no
money can buy the pearl of great price, the cultured spirit in the
individual or family, without which the most palatial mansion is but a
dead and lifeless shell. Lacking this moral sentiment and culture, how
many a handsomely appointed home is the abode of rudeness, unkindness,
selfishness, and misery! The rude speech or cutting retort or selfish
act are doubly and trebly incongruous when pictured walls and frescoed
ceilings and luxurious surroundings of artistic beauty are the silent
witnesses of the vulgarity. On the other hand, there is opportunity for
the display of the best and kindest and most cultivated manners in the
humble home where lack of suitable furnishings and dearth of
conveniences puts everyone's unselfishness to the test.

I have frequently heard wise parents and teachers speak of the
perplexity of spirit which they feel when they see that in so many
instances the acquirement of accomplishments, as they are termed, fails
to add any moral strength or beauty to the character of the young people
in whose welfare and advancement their hearts are so entirely absorbed.
This young girl sings and plays beautifully, paints and draws in a
genuinely artistic manner, speaks French and German like a