Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-05-11

"BE DuGENT IN BUSINESS. ."--Franklin has
somewhere said, that he owed considerable
share of his success in life to the impression
made upon him, while yet boy at home, by
passage in the Book of Kings, that those who
will be diligent in business" should stand in
the presence of princes 1t is we'll known that
few men were more industrious, more energetic.
1t is equally well known that while he began his
career as a poor boy and labored assduously as
a iour" printer, he lived to be an able and
honest ambassador at the Court of the prondest
monarch in Christendom. He was an example,
therefore--a proud one-of the fulilment of The
text.
But he was not the only man who realized its
truth. We doubt, indeed, If any man ever sue
ceeded in life who was not diligent in business
who was negligent aud fond of pleasure. The
supposed instances to the contrary, so often
popularity quoted. invariby prove tallaclous
when carefully investigated. Curran, the great
Irish orator, was said to have eloquence native
born. But on the contrary, he has left it ON
record, that he took the greatest pains to perfect
his elocuton, his gesture, aud his knowledge OF
law. Burke, distinguished for his eloquence and
learning, built up the edfce of his fame 10y slow,
persevering, laborious effort. 1t is we'll known
fact that the Philadelphia millionaire the late
Stephen Girard, amassed his colossal fortune by
assiduous attention to business. Clay, Webster,
Calhoun and Benton, all worked hard-the lat
ter almost incessantly. And Napoleon the tirst,
who was a born genius, II ever man was, achieved
most of what he did by unceasing labor often
debating to several secretaries at once, and al
ways firing out everybody about him.
If these great men achieved distinction only
by their diligence in business or even if this, as
none can deny, was the principal cause OF their
success, how can those Of far inferior abilities,
expect to prosper unless they follow the same
example? lie who neglects his business will
soon find his business negleeting him Ability,
without industry, will not do aud rarely accom-
pshes anything worthy of mention. Men who
think to succeed by doing half days work,
must sooner or later go to the wall. There is
but one way to rise ii is to be diiigcnt, always
dligent. Without energy aud industry no man
ever conquered difficulties achieved great
ness" The merchant, who leaves his store to
take a "socal drink - the mechanic, who stops
work to have a " blue Monday" as was frequent
ly the case in the older States a few years ago !;
the professional man, who goes off on parties OF
pleasure, and misses the chance OF clients or pa
iients ealing~all these either fail utterly ia life
at last. is the case ia nine examples out OF ten,
or fall short of that complete success which they
might otherwise have obtained. The old iable
of the tortoise, who beat the hare to the goal,
because the latter stopped SO often, is realized
every day and hour in life. The old adage' ire
quently rideuled, slow but sure" is verified
continually by experience. Even genius ltsell
has been said by no less u thinker than Sir james
MaCkintosh, to be only another name Tor ihaustry
Go and ask of the scores of beggared old men,
who, once prosperous, now eat the bread OF de
pendence, what il was that ruined them, and
they will answer, if honest, because we were
not dligent"
1t is young men just starting in life, who
should especially ponder we'll on this truth.
They must not foolishy suppose, because they
see their rch employers living in fine houses,
dressing eXpensivcly, doing little hard work, or
lavishng time or money in other ways, that they
may also do the same. If their superors had
not been dgcnt in early life. they would never
have earned the means 60 live luXurlously
clerk is not the head Of firm, or an apprentice
Il master mechanic. The distinction should not
be forgotten BY diligence in business thou.
sands of poor lads have risen to opulence, and
come at last TO have all the leisure they desired.
But tens of thousands, who could not wait to
enjoy life till they had won the right to it by
"digence in business" have gone hopelessly
aud despairiugly down. in the full meridian of
existence, like the crew OF a leaky ship sinking
in sight of harbor, because they ate and drank
and made merry when they should have been
working at the pumps. Young men, follow the
example OF the successful aud llustri0us, by be-
ing diligent in business Mountain Democrat.