Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-15
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1870.
The Choice of a Vocation In Life.

IL is wen OCCASIONALLY 10 step dsiuo iI0HA
the discussion of the ordinary topics and
questions of the hour, even in the COL
amns of the daily press, and give consid-
GRAFTON to them, and present suggestion
applicable to particular classes of the COM
munity. Weekly utterances addressed to
certain classes or divisions of society are
going forth from the pulpit, and it may not
be less the duty of the press, as the adjunct
of the pulpit and the lecture room, to pre-
sent thoughts for reflection upon approx
mate themes Therefore, with this view,
a few days ago attention was called to
"The Value of Preparation for the Bust
ness of Life on the part of young men.
AT this time it is the purpose to make
suggestions relative to the choice of a
vocation in life.
The choice of vocation is an epoch in
the life of a young man. However heed
less or indolent his previous course may
have been, this important step should
never be taken without full estimate of
Its bearing upon his future destiny. The
mourning of new and weighty responsible
tiles has not unfcequently arrested men
in career of levity, and called out into
sudden and vigorous exercise, powers of
which they were before unconscious and
unsuspected. mo more of these fooleries
now," said Frederick the Great, upon his
accession to the throne, to his old favorites
who were luxuriating in the anticipated
continuance Of their former idle dissapa-
tons; and Charles the Twelfth of Sweden,
on a like occasion, although a mere boy
in years, is said to have astounded his
grey headed counsellors by the sudden
and wonderful transformation his charac-
ter underwent. The young man when
about to assume the manly garb and enter
upon the arena of active life should feel
like some worthy Prince when called to
his inheritance of crown. "The world
is all before him where to choose; and
inasmuoh as this choice of pursuit for
life, involves duties which do not termi-
nate in himself alone, but extend through
all his relations as some one has aptly
said "from dust to deity" it is matter
of great concern that it be made wisely
and well. A mere preference for one cal.
ling over others is by no means reliable
test of capacity for its successful proseou-
ton. This preference is often suggested
by fashion, caprice, association or other
accidents and circumstances of tran
STORY character. There is for instance
a very strong proclivity among us to the
learned professions, from an idea that
they are of superior responsibility, and
that they open short and easy way to
emolument and honors. Hence the num-
Der of mere supernumeries, of un-
productive consumers, who hang upon the
professions like camp followers upon the
rear of an advancing army. When good
merchant is lost in an unskilful doctor, or
an excellent mechanic in an Indifferent
lawyer the loss is two fold, to the COM
munity as we'll as to the individual. How
poor must that spirit be, how meagre the
ambition, which instead of putting the
thieves and sinews of the physical man,
at least to good account, can content it.
self with occupying an undistinguished
place upon the roll of briefless barristers,
or with rejoicing in a diploma which is
regarded as little better than a license to
leopard human life. No! The man il
illustrates the calling, not the calling the
man. There is no Office. or employment
40 high that it can give responsibility to
so low that it can detract from the digni-
iy of intelligent, faithful and virtuous en-
deavor. Follow the bent of your genius
young men, but that you may not be mis-.
led fret institute an honest and thorough
scrutiny into your natural aptitude, your
qualifications of body and mind for the
pursuit proposed. Interrogate nature il
good faith, and in this, as in. oil Other
matters, che will respond to, the question
ings with fidelity and truth upon which
you may safely rely.
But whatever the vocation, let it be thu
aim of young men to acquire a mastery
over it. Fix the standard of attainment
high, and work up 20 it with the faitl
and hope, the dauntless courage and I'm
firing activity which belongs to earnes
and untiring natures. Youthful energ.
is an agent of mighty power, and whel
fred by pure hove OF excellence is capa
BILE of achieving magnificent results.
What indeed can it not accomplish
Facing difficulties and making sport Q
obstacles, cutting down the mountain
and raising up valleys that lie in it
course, bounding ON in all the raptare Q
successful strife, from one victorious con
fiiet to another, it moves RICH. onwar
and upward in its proud casser, with ii
unblanching eye ever fixed on highe
SUBMITS of achievements, and
"k1I the crooked paths
OF time and change dis 1aining takes the rang
Along the line Of hmitless desires"
Carry forward with you, young mer
in the powers and duties and struggles G
manhood, the feelings of boyhood,- 1t
joyous buoyancy of spirit, its fresh an
unwearying ardor, its love of the RICH
and true, its warm and gushing seAsibil
ties that leap at every touch of kindre
nature. So only can yon make right
chosen vocation shine, and with these al
pirations, like the knights of old, tn
young man oan go forth into the world j
search Of worthy objects wherein all til
wealth of an honorable ambition can b
bestowed.
THE FRENCH PRIsoNERs.-The Mort