The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1871-01-07
Am american NO6LensGn.

A New York merchant, Mr.. Jonathan Sturgis,
being about to retire from active business, was
invited by several of his neighbor merchants
and friends to dine with them. Being called
upon to respond to the first toast Mr.. SturglS
made speech from which we take few pas
sages They convey lessons of the highest
value to young men, and teach those old
fashioned doctrines of faithfulness, integrity
and patience, which have been the basis OF all
true success in commercial life Mr.. Sturgis
retires with the high regard of the professional
as we'll as the business community. He said :
cannot and ought not to forget that l am
approaching the limit of life as appointed by
our Maker, and prefer to take home to my
self the thought so beautifully expressed by
Dr.. Chalmers, that our life is divided, as the
week, into six days or decades of years of pre-
peration for, and engagement in, the activities
Of life the seventh day or decade, ought to be
the Sabbath of rest, and more near contempla-
tfon of that s'eternal rest which remalneth. for.
the people of God.' .7 o
One of the first lessons 1 received was in
1913, when was eleven years of age. My
grandfather had collected fine flock of merino
sheep, which were carefully cherished during
the war of l8l2-15. was shepherd boy, and
my business was to watch the sheep in the
fields. A boy, who was more fond of his books
than of sheep, was sent with me, but left the
work to me, while he lay in the shade and
Fcdu Ills DuUhcs 4 AuAliJ COHipAdlACO Va bhlS
10 the olSgenyentsn. shall reyer forget bis
benignant smile he replied: "Never you
mind if you watch the sheep, you will have
the sheep" l thought to myself: what does
the old gentleman mean? don't expect to
have any sheep. Ny aspirations were quite
moderate in those days, and first rate
rnerino buck was worth 81 900. | could not
make out exactly what he meant, but had
great confidence in him, ne was a judge, and
had been to Congress in Washington's time
40 | concluded that it was all right, whatever
nc meant, and went out contentedly with the
sheep. After got to the field could not get
dat idea out of my head. Finally thought
nf my Sunday lesson: Thou hast been faithful
over a few things, will make three ruler over
many things" Then l understood it: Never
you mind who else neglects his duty; be you
faithful, and you will have your reward do
not think it will take many lads as long as 1t
did me, to understand this proverb.
| received my second lesson soon after came
TO this city as clerk 10 the late Luman Reed.
A merchant from Ohio, who knew me- came TO
purchase goods OF Mr.. Reed. He expressed bis
qualification at finding me there, and said to me:
"You have got good place. Make yourself so
useful that they cannot do without you" /
took his meaning quicker than did the proverb
about the sheep. Well, | worked upon these
two ideas until Mr.. Reed offered me an interest
in his business.
The first morning. after the co-partnership was
announced, Mr.. James Geery, the old tea mer-
chant, called TO see me, and said 10 me "You
are all right now have one word Of advice
to give you be careful who you walk the streets
with" That was lesson number three.
In this connection | must repeat an snecdote
told OF the late Robert Lennox A country
merchant came into the store of Mr.. Morton, a
highly respectable Scotch merchant, TO purchase
goods He spoke about credit, references, &C.
Mr.. Morton said ~ will give you what credit
YOU wish' "But," said the merchant, III am
an entire stranger to you" Mr.. Morton replied
"Did | not see you a, church with Robert Len
nox ?" eyes, was a church with him." Well,
! will trust any man whom Robert Lennox will
take to church with him"
hope these thrse lessons %: walchfulness over
he interests Of their employers, watchfulness
over their partners interests and their own, after
they are joined, followed hy intense watchfulness
that no black sheep creep into their folds, may
be impressed by these anecdotes upon the minds
Of those for whom they are intended.
One other lesson feel ii very necessary to in
culcate-that of patience
With little patience, most Young men will
find position as high they have fitted them
selves to fill.
In all the changes which have taken place in
ny firm since 1922, no partner has been brought
in who has not served a clerk in the establish
ment And now leave my house well organized,
prosperous, and free from complications, still in
IN hszhAnds of fhnSa-xhn- have served in it,
clerks fot longer OF shorter fAaAsHnwr on
this as an encouragement to y66tGhg rrrn % fsfse
we're in the faithful performance OF their duties.