The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-05-14
5f!l1rtll0lllI.
IDLENESS AND VICE.

Young men beware Of Likeness. Ac-
custom the mind to habits Of regular la.
Dor. Fix the attention upon n course Of
usefulness to Yourself and others. Ava
ken within yourself an interest for the &C
complshment OF a pur, osc. Cultivate n
habit Of patient endurance. Let it he
your desire to secure the appreciation oflhc
wise and good. Link yourself to those
who are doing something IN the world,
and who compose the frame work of soci
ETY.; and let your motto be determination,
! activity and perseverance. Set down
calmly, while You arey onng, and look over
| the ground, and get clear view Of what
is before YOU. chen lay your foundation
| and 90 to your work.
What is the difference between one who
begins life i'll earnest il this manner, and
another who idlcs away all the precious
time Of Preparation The ore starts
strong and vigorous in the grand work OF
| life; the other commences fcchly; aims onc
stroke here and laws down his tools AMI
! don't know when he will take them up
again. The one eNcIts an Influence
throughout tie community in which he
handed down to posterity as one indcnti.
fled with his coun,ry's progress in all that
Is good and great; the other is unknown
except hy those to whom he is q burdrn
he Is of no use rs n member Of society, "l
to his own family, and when he l,;,S,cs
away his name will he torgotton 10y all
those who, connected with him 10y the ties
of nature will perhaps, long feel sad at the
recollection of the fact that lie " died is
the tool die,h." 1t seems surprising that
two such l!eings can belong TO the same
species. And yet this is the natu'a. COZ.
sequences Of starting in tie two dlticrcn,
directions. We often see two such wide
: different careers diverging from almost
the same point. The same family will he
able to rcJoice over one son who has real
lied the expectation f friends, and is pur.
suing an honorahle and noble career: aud
on the other hand will !.e called tu mourn
over another who is bringing his parents
! to shame.
1t IS true TOO, that every voung man has
all these matters in lis own hanGs. Each
has the power 10 turn l,is feet from the
path of the foolish and seek for true hon
or. We are more and more fcarfuIIv i'm
pressed with the fact that every man has
the power Of control over his own DESTINY,
except il cases Of absolute ignorance OF
the way Of improvement. Young man,
look about YOU. Inquire what y"n are
/ doing, and what YOU ought 10 Dc. Let
not be said that you are,
Fixed like plat, to one peculiar spot,
To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot"
IL Won have been Dire ,min. away your
life wake up and take new start. 1t is
not too late. You can We, make your
marx indellihle upon the world. These
are stirring times. and though we do not
with some, think, the world on the high
road TO perfection. vet we kHow that this
is an age Of wonders, and offers an oppnr.
! tunity, for every man who want to work,
which hsS never been offered before.
See how that fellow works No obSta
cies are o. cr.at for him to suimounr:
no ocean too wide for him to leap; no
will make stir in the world and no mis-
/ take. Such are the men who bqld our
railroads, dig up the mountains in Califor-
I nia and enrich the world. There is moth
ing gained hy ill"ncss and s!o;h. This is
! the world Of action and to make money.
/ gain reputation aud exert "A happy iufu
ence, men must he active, perscvering and
energetic. They nmst not quail at shad
ows-rup from lions, or attempt to d 'dgr
lightning. go forwar. zaalousIY,ja what
ever you undertake, and we will risk YOU
anywhere and through life. Men VIII"
faint AMI quail, are a nugirs stock to an
| gels, devils, and true men.