BUSINESS, FRIENDSHIP, AND CHARITY. 81 



creasing use of machinery and the development of methods of 

 production and distribution necessitate the employ of a constantly 

 increasing, number of men of the higher grades of ability and 

 intelligence and the efforts of other grades of those who work 

 increase both in vigor and system toward securing the greatest 

 remuneration for their services. The result, as amply proved by 

 statistics, is that the reward of effort constantly increases both by 

 reason that wages, salaries, and incomes become greater, and the 

 prices of commodities and of the result of services become less. 

 That this holds true even during the radical industrial readjust- 

 ment of the past two years is evidenced by the following extract 

 from the editorial summary of business in Dun's Review of Jan- 

 uary 5, 1895 : 



" The complete review of different branches of business given 

 to-day places in a clear light the fact that prices of commodities 

 are at the lowest level ever known. Eight years ago, in July, 

 prices averaged only 73*69 per cent of the same articles and in 

 the same markets January 1, 1860, and this remained the lowest 

 point ever touched until August 10, 1893, when the average fell to 

 7276, but early this year prices dropped below all previous records 

 and have never recovered, the average December 26th being only 

 6873 per cent of the prices in 1860. These changes contrast 

 sharply with the decline of wages paid per hour's work, which, as 

 was shown last week, average only 1*2 per cent less than a year 

 ago." 



It should, however, be perceived that the greatest contribution 

 which any one can make to the totality of effort is not the result 

 of effort pushed to excess in any one direction for a limited time, 

 for such effort results in the premature impairment of physical 

 and mental power ; but the total result of his efforts for the long- 

 est time that his mental and physical efficiency can be preserved. 

 It therefore follows that periods of expenditure should be followed 

 by periods of recuperation ; that each man for the benefit both of 

 himself and of society should have that rest and recreation and 

 the opportunity for that bodily and mental gratification which 

 offset the wear and tear of energy persistently expended in one 

 direction, and contribute to the preservation and symmetrical 

 development and rounding of his bodily and mental life. 



All the foregoing statement leads irresistibly to the conclusion 

 that each man should work as best he can in fulfillment of his 

 duty to himself and his duty to all others, whether his contem- 

 poraries or those who come after him. And therefore stands 

 clear and firm the corollary that each man should find pleasure 

 and satisfaction in that work which it is possible for him to 

 do. And it doubtless would be so if throughout the world all 

 people recognized the full meaning of work, and it were true, and 



