Holly Springs gazette., 1842-11-25
COunscls to the Young.
BY HORACE. GREELT.

Three millions Of youth, between the ages
Of six and Of twentv-one now rapidly com
nr forward, TO take rank as the future hus-
otnds aud fathers, Legislators and divines, In
sructors and governors, politicians and vo-
lars. capitalists and laborers, artisans and
cuIvat0rs, of this vast country, whose dest
MES are even yet so family imagined much
Iss developed. Not one is so humble that
he will not certainly. exert an infuence-it
NAV be an immense and imperishable influ
ence On the happiness and elevation of his
country aud his race. The humblest cot
tige maiden, now toiIing thankfully us the
aousehold servant of some proud family by
whom she is regarded as nobody, may yet
be the mother OF future President--or no.
Bier still, or some unaspiring but God-drec-
I'D man, who as teacher OF righteousness,
an ameIlorator Of human suffering, a sue
cessful re2rover OF wrong, sensualily, of sell
hshness. may leave his impress on the an
aals ofthe would lover aad server of his
race Nearly all our new eminent men.
otitically-Jdckson, Clay, Van Buren, etc.
were not merely OF poor and humble parent
age, but left orphans in early life. and thus
deprived OF the suppor; and counsel which
seems most eminently necessary to success IN
the worlds rugged ways.
ID the higher walks of genuine useful
ness. the proportion of those enjoying no adj
ysntages Of family influence or hereditary
wealth. who attain the lottiest emInence, Is
very GREAT. Call to mind the first twenty
names that occur to you of men Distinguish
Ell tor ability, energy. philanthropy. or lofty
achievement, aud generally three touIths OF
them viii be those of men born IN obscurEy
aGI dependence.
All literature is full of anecdotes illustra-
tive of these encouraging truths: single
fact nov occurs to me which have never
seen recorded; have often worshiped in a
Baptist meeting house in Vermont, whereon
at its construction some thirty years since a
sludlous and exemplary young man was for
some time employed as a carpenter who at-
terward qualified himself and entered upon
the responsibilities ofthe Christian ministry
That Young man was Jared Sparks since
editor Of North American Review, of Wash
ingtous voluminous writings, &c. and now
recognized as one of the foremost scholars,
historians, and critics in America.
propose here TO set forth a few impor-
tant maxims for the guidance and encourage
meut ofthose youth who will hearken to me
-maxms based on my own immature ex
perlence aud observation, but which have
doubtless in substance been propounded
and enforced by older and wiser men long
ago and often Still as they do not yet ap-
pear to have exerted their full and proper eff
tect on the ripening intellect of the country
-as thousands are toilsomely, painfully
struggling forward in the race for position
and knowledge, in palpabIe defiance oftheir
scope and spirit will hope that their pre-
senialion a'thls time cannot be without some
elect on at least few expanding minds
They are as follows:
l. Avoid The common error of eSteeming
college, education necessary to usefulness
o. emInence in lie Such an education may
oe desirable and bene6cial-to many il
doubtless IS so. But Greek and Latin are
no. real knowledge; they are only means of
acquiring such knowledge. there have been
siea. aud wise, and surprising useful men
y aii ages who knew no language but their
mother tongue Besides. In our day the
treasures Of ancient and contemporary for
eign literature are brought home to every
man door by translations. which em6ody
vac substance if they do not exhibit all the
oeautIes OF the originals. If your circum-
sAnceS In life enable YOU to enjoy the advan-
ages Of college education do not neglect
mnem-above all do not misimprove them.
hui- It your lot be different, waste no time
y, a IDLE repining. in humiIiating beggary.
ne stern, self respecting independence OF
your own soul is worth whole shelves of
cassics. All men cannot and need not be
college bred-not even those who are born
% Instruct and improve their kind You
can never bejustly deemed ignorant. or your
ac9uIrements contemplate. il yo1 embrace
sno ially improve the opportunities which
are fairly offered you
= Avoid likewise the kindred and equal.
y pernlclous error that you must have a
Proession-must be a clergyman. lawyer.
uoctoT, or some thing Of the sort-in order
!" = influential, useful. respected-sr to