Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-10
Poverty Essential to Success.

If there is anything in the world which
young man ought to be more grateful for than
another, it is the poverty which launches US in
life under very great disadvantages. Poverty
is one of the best tests of human quality.
triumph over it is Ike graduating with honors
at Oxford or Cambridge. 1t demonstrates
mental stamina. 1t is a certificate Of worthy
labor faithfully performed 4 young man who
cannot stand this test is not good for anything
lie can never rise to affuence or station.
young man who cannot feel his determination
strengthened as the yoke of poverty presses
upon him, and his energy rise with every diff
Guilty which poverty throws in his way, had
better never e. ter the lists with the champions
of Selfreliance.
Poverty makes more than it ruins 1t ruins
only those who are destitute of sterling energy
of character while it makes the fortunes of
multitudes whom wealth would have ruined.
Now, if any young man with good fortune,
and in the possession of that which is commonly
called an excellent opening in life, reads this
paper, let him be warned in time His advan-
tages may be anything but what they seem ;
they may turn out to be the bane of his life :;
the full pocket on the long run may be beaten
by the empty purse, for money will never make
a man, and never did in the whole course of
the worlds history
No, young man, if you are poor, thank Hea-
veC and take courage. You have the prospect
Of making your own way in the world. If you
had plenty OF money, ten chances TO one it
would spoil you for all useful purposes. Do
you lack education Have you enjoyed but
little schooling ? Remember that education
does not consist in the multitude of things
which a man possesses. What can you do =
that is the question which settles the matter
for you Do you know your business Do
you know men, and how to deal with them
Has your mind by any means whatsoever, re-
ceived that discipline which gives to its action
power and facility? If so, then you are more
of a man, and ten times better educated than
the youth who has graduated at college but
who knows nothing of the practical business of
life. And as to wealth, there are few men in
the world less than thirty years of age, and un
married who can afford to be rich One of
the greatest benefits to he reaped from great
financial disasters is the saving of a larg: crop
of young men. They are taught that they must
help themSelves-they get energy of character,
and personal enterprise, and industry, in place
of foolish dependence on the wealth which
their fathers or grandfatherS have accumulated
before them they are made to work. and work
gives to their character that nobility and man
hood which are not to be obtained without it,
In regard to the choice of profession, ev-
cry young man must consult his own inclina
ton. If you adopt a trade or profession do
not be persuaded TO resign it, unless you are
perfectly satisfied that you are not adapted to
it. Advice Of all sorts You are certain to re-
ceive; but if you follow it, and it leads you
into profession that starveS you, those who
gave YOU the advice never feel bound to give
you any money You have TO take care of
yourself in this world, and you had best choose
your own way of doing it; always remember
that it is not your tLadc or profession which
makes you respectable, but that respectabilty
depends on the manner in which you discharge
the duties devolvIng upon you.
Manhood. and profession or handcrart, are
entirely different things God makes men, and
men make lawyers, doctors, carpenters, brick
layers, all the trades or occupations of life
The Offices of men may be more or less import
ant and of higher or lower quality, but man
hood is nObler than any, and distinct from all.
A profession or trade is not the end Of life it
is an instrument taken into our hands by which
to gain livelihood Thoroughly acquired and
asSiduously followed, trade is sill to be held
at arms length. 1t shonld not occupy ;he
whole of his attention. So far from it, it should
be regarded only as a means for the develope-
ment of manhood The first object of living is
to obtain true manhood, the cultivation of every
power of the soul, and every high spiritual
quality. Trade is beneath the man, and should
be kept there With this idea in your mind,
look around you, and see how almost everybody
has missed the true aim of life. They have
not striven to be men, but to be lawyers, doc
tors, tradesmen or mechanicS-they have mis-
sed the chief end of life, and though they may
become influential in their professions they
have failed to make the right use of their ex-