Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-09-21

not in the power Of man to forctell, for
God alone knows the future. But when
We contemplate the past, which is the sur
est guide We have Of judging Of the fu-
turc, the unpleasant truth forces itself
upon our minds that what we have to-day
may NOT be ours Tomorrow. Then, oh
then, l entreat you, trust not TO an un-
certain future. but, rather, seize upon The
present moment.-the present cpp5rtuni-
ty to lay up treasures in the mind which
neither principalities nor powers can take
away and which will be worth to you more
than sealth-more than power. for il will
be source Of pleasure; of comfort and
consolation in all yodr future life, no mat
ter under what circumstances it n,ay be
your destiny to live The duty you owe
to your country. TO your parents and to
yourselves. as we'll as to society at large.
1 demands Of you such course. And
though. by so doing, you may have to un-
dcrgo much trouble, many trials and great
fatigue of both body and mind, there is
inexpressible comfort in the hope that
when your youth has past and you have
advanced to ripper years. you will then be
repaid an hundred fold b. the many ad-
vantages that will cluster around you
Yes. the roots of an education. perhaps,
are bitter, but the fruits are sweet beyond
conception. Pcrsevere then, my young
friends, press on, leave no stone unturned
to accomplish so desirable an end,
For youth il instrucis, old age delights,
Adorns prosperity, and when
OF adverse fate we feel the blight,
Twill comfort and soIace us then.
Consider well. and employ every mo-
ment Of your time, and let no opportunity
escape you for mental improvement.-
Bear in mind, my young friends, that you
have been butn into this world for sj,nc
wise and useful purpose, and that God
has given you AZ, intellect. which, IL i'm
proved, viii enable you to perform your
part in a manner worthy of an immortal
being. IL you do not distinguish your
selves in this life, by some virtuous and
coble course Of action worthy of an intel
ligent aud cultivated mind, you will
''Go down
10 the vile dust from whence you sprung,
tnwept, unhonored and unsung."
My young friends, do not allow YOUR
selves TO be contented in this life with
mere mediocrity. but try to excel all others
in whatever you undertake. and be care
full not TO attempt that which il not in ac-
cordancc with the laws of religion. virtue,
honor and truth. Pursue this course and
success. almost for a certainty, will crossn
your efforts. God will help those who
help themselves. Let not the fear of fail
ure hinder you from undertaking any
great performance. Suffer no such word
as "fair' to find place in your vocabu-
larry,
Are traitors. and make us often lose the good
That we might win, by fearing to attempt"
1t is possible that you, as we'll as your
parents and frierds. may be dcluded by
the idea that you do not now possess the
opportunities and advantages necessary to
enable you to become men and women Of
high distinctions; but this is mere illu-
sion, unworthy Of serious thought. For
you have youth and health, good text.
books, competent teacher, aud plain,
but comfortable schoolhouse, which are
all that are needed, If properly used, to
lay the basis of great and immortal na.,,e.
The splendid and brilliant career Of our
gifted orator and statesmen, Henry Clay,
once known as the Mili-boy OF the Slashcs.
who. by the power of his eloquence. was
enabled. almost within the same breath.
TO draw forth. from crowded assemblies,
peals Of laughter and tnodrnful lamenta-
ITEMS. and that Of The God-like Franklin.
"who snatched the lightning from Hca-
ven, and the scepter from tyrants." and
who, FROM printers boy. rose and rank
cd amongst the greatest Of mankind, are
convincing proofs cf my assertion. You
car. IL ven will, reach the proud pinnacle
ON which they stood, for they, while young.
possessed not such advantages Of acquir-
ing knowledge aud information as you now
enjoy. Remember. however, my young
friends. they reachs<s such distinction only
by hard and incessant labor. study. and
cxertion, They never suffered their minds
to iag for a single moment. but worked
for the glorious prize before thcm-for
that ''iame which will never die." And,
If yoa desire TO be like them, you, too.
must work, work. work!
For there is no easy path 70 wisdom and re-
nown,
Toll upon teii must be endured,
The clouds may drop down titles and estates,
Wealth nay seek, hat wisdom must be sought"
And now, while your characters are be-
ing formed, and your minds flexible and