Life and how to make the most of it : an address at St. James's Hall / by Philip Foster.

  • Foster, Philip.
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Life and how to make the most of it : an address at St. James's Hall / by Philip Foster. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    Life, and How to Make the Most of ltr BY DR. PHILIP FOSTER. f^HIS is a subject which I need not say anything to justify v me in bringing before you. Its great and universal interest is surely justification enough. But, although I need not apologise for my theme, I must do so for myself. Knowing, as I well do, that subjects of this kind, when powerfully treated, by inducing us to think more seriously than we hitherto have done about the real aims and purposes of life, not unfrequently prove turning points in our career, I feel overwhelmed with my responsibility, and wish that I were less unworthy of my task. But, although I cannot hope to do anything like justice to my subject, I may, perhaps, be able to make some observations, that we shall all be the better for having heard—and I cannot help think- ing that it is better that this subject should be considered, however indifferently, than that it should not be considered at all. The mariner does not put out to sea without learning all that he can about the course that he has to traverse, so we, who are journeying over the sea of life, should carefully study our chart, that we may be enabled to steer clear of the shoals and quicksands that beset our path, and bring our vessel, with all her colours flying, safely into port at last. I shall only be able to suggest lines of thought to you to-night, time will not permit me to follow them out, this you must do for yourselves. I shall commence with a few words about HEALTH. Unless our health be good, the duties of life can neither be satisfactorily discharged nor its pleasures fully enjoyed. And here, at the outset, let me observe that I am no ascetic. My idea of life is, that its duties should be fulfilled to the best of our ability, and its pleasures enjoyed to the utmost.