The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-12-09
From the Poor Boy and Merchant Prince.
POOR BOYS AND GREAT MEN.

A hundred years ago there lived a poor
boy in the city Of Oxford. England, whose
business il was to clean the bouts 0f the stu.
dents in the University. he was an active,
energetic, bright generous lad. and he soup
won the confidence Of the students. Sumo
Of them proposed 10 instruct him short time,
every day. which proposition he accepted with
delight He surprised his teachers by his
rapid progress. He lost not a moment, bui
gave himself 50 diligently To his studies, as q
excite the admiration uf 81. or Course he
was eminently successful. Every youth with
the same excellent qualities will succeed in
any laud-ble undertaking This lad became
the eloquent George While6eld. VIM preached
the Gospel 10 thousands upnn thousands 10
the open fields. The favor Of the students
would have availed him nothing without his
energy. industry. aud perseverance. In.
deed, Il was these qualities 10 the boy. 10 con-
nection with others, which FIRST attracted the
attention Of the students.
Eighty years ago boy was horn IN Salem,
Massachusetts. Of obscure parentagp. aud 10
very iowly circumstances. His mother died
when he was ten years Of sge. though she
lived long enough to impress his heart with
the love 81 truth. His father was 80 paor
that he could afford his bog but limited al.
yantsges 10 acquire an education. On
account Of his poverty this lad wore his sun.
mer clothes 10 school one winter, and became
the laughing stock u the scholars. When
only eleven or twelve years Of age. be was
apprenticed TO shoemaker, who Kept him IL
the shop, though he allowed him = slate aud
pencil on his bench. Yet this boy improved
every opnriunity, and without teachers sJ.
yanced daily 10 knowledge. aud finally be-
came the renowned mathematician, Nathaniel
Buwdrtch.
Patrick Henry was the son Of q poor man
in Virginia. Ia early life he struggled hard
with poverty, and gave little prpmise of dis.
tinriivR In any pursuit. But he finally
devoted himself with energy and perseyer.
snce 10 his studies. and became the most
gifted orator Of his age.
Benjamin Franklin was The son of iaIlow.
chandler in Boston. ne vas the youngest
bur two Of seventeen children, and, having a
poor father, penury was his lot. Atten years
Of age he was taken from school, and placed
10 his farther's workshop. Ot course his
early advantages were few, buthe iriumphed
over every obstacle. by his own eIertions.
and placed himself 10 the front rank of
philosophers.
Here, then. Is divine, a mathemstician, a
statesman, philosopher. each of whom dis.
tinguisbed himself without any Of those
worldly advantages 10 which you vftsn attach
SO much importance. The above may be
taken as q few iIlustrstiones Of large part Of
honored men IN the various departments oI
human effort.
We may add, 10 word, that yirgil's father
was potter. Luther was tbe son " poor
miner. aud ZuiDglius Of shepherd. Bun.
yan's father was travelling tinker. colsm.
bus vas the son Of weaver, and Milton NJ
seriseper. Blom6eId. Eibbon, Clifford, Tin.
Bsus, Dr.. Carey, aud Roger sherman, we're
tsowley was The son 81 grocer,
Pope Of linen draper, Collins Of halter,
Besftie snJ Butler VI farmers, and Akenside
and Henry Kirke White 81 butchers. Jeremy
Taylor was The son VI barber, John Hunter