The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-04-26
The Blessings Of Poverty.

Ii tuCIo 10 uuythiuR III WIFE Woiiu Aoi
which young man should be more CRATE
| ful than another, it is the poverty which
launches usin life under very great dis
advantages. Poverty is one Of the best
tests of human quality. A triumph over
itis like graduating with honors at OK
ford or Cambridge It demonstrates mem
tai stamina. 1t is certificate Of worthy
labor faithfully performed A young
man who cannot stand this test is not
good for anything. He can never rise
to afluence or station. A young man who
cannot feel his determination strengthen
ed 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 enter the lists with the
champions Of self-reliance.
Poverty makes more men than itruins.
II 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 a good
fortune, and 10 the possession Of that
which is commonly called an excellent
opening ia life, reads this paper, let him
be warned in time His advantages may
be anything but what they seem they
may turn out to be the bane of his life;
the full pocket, in the long run, may be
beaten by the empty purse; for money
will never make man, and never did in
the whole course of the worlds history.
A No, young man; if you are poor,
thank Heaven, 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 II would ruin
you for all useful purposes. Do you lack
education2 Have you enjoyed but little
schooling? Remember that education
does not consist in the multitude Of
I things which man possesses. What can
you do ?----that is the question which set
ties the matter for you. Do you know
your business? Do you know men, and
how to dealwith them ? Has your mind,
| by any means whatsoever, received that
discipline which gives to its action power
and facilityP If so, then you are more
Of a man, and thousand times better
educated, than the youth who has gradu-
atod at college, but who knows nothing
Of the practical business of life. And
as to wealth, there are very few men in
the world less than thirty years Of age,
and unmarried, who can afford to be rich.
One of the greatest benefits to be reaped
from great financial disasters is the SOW
ing OF large crop Of young men. They
arc taught that they must help them.
selves; they get energy of character, and
perronal enterprise, and industry, in place
/. Of foolish dependence on the wealth
which their fathers and grandfathers have
accumulated before them they are made
to work, and work gives to their charac-
ter that nobility and manhood which are
not to be obtained without il.
In regard to the choice Of a profession,
every young man must consult his own
inclination. Ifyou adopt trade or pro-
fession, do not be persuaded to resign it,
unless you are perfectly satisfied that you
are not adapted fr it. Advice of all
sorts you are certain to receive but il
you follow it, and it leads you into a pro-
} fession which starves you, those who gave
the advice never feel bouud to give you
any money. You have to take care oi
yourself in this world, and you had best
choose your own way OF doing it; always
remembering that it is not your trade ol
profession which makes you respectable
but that respectability depends on the
manner in which you discharge the du
ties devolving upon you.
, Manhood and profession or haudicfaf'
3 are enterely different things. God makes
!. men, and men makes lawyers, doctors
carpenters. brcklayers, all the trades oil
, occupations of life. The Offices Of men
may be more or less important aud Of
higher or lower quality but manhood is
nobler than any, and distinct from all
A profession or trade is not the end o.
= life it is an instrument taken into oul
. hands by which to gain q livelihood
Thoroughly acquired and assiduously fol
: lowed, trade is still to be held at arms
length. Il should not be allowed to ty
: ranize over, to mold, or to- crush a man
: It should not occupy tho whols Of his at
tention. So far from this, it should bt
regarded only as means for the develop
ment Ct manhood. The first object Of
living is the attainment Of true manhood
the cultivation of every ,power Of the
soul, aud Of every high spiritual quality
Trade is beneath the man, and should bt
kept there. With this idea in your mind
y look round you, and see how almost ev'
lerybody has missed the true aim Of life
i They have not striven to be men, but tc
Nbo lawyers, doctors, tradesmen, or me-
: chanics-they have missed the chief end
|of life; and though they may become
Q influential in their professions, they have
failed to make the right use Of their ex.
n istence. ~ 2 '''
n Elihu Burritt cultivated the manhood
J that was in him until his trade and black.
smiths shop ceased to be useful to him
and be could get living in more CON.
genial way. '-' & +
II is not necessary that you should be
q ''lsarned blacksmith s" but it 10 peces.
sary that you be superior to your oocnpa.
tiop, and that 10 attain, manhood be the