The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-03-06
How to Prosper.

Honesty of purpose is the handspring
to prosperity. By honesty we do not
mean abstinence from fragrant violations
of the moral code simply, but rigid,
punctilious regard for the highest moral
ity in the smaller concerns of daily life.
Be honest with Yourself; set a proper
and adequate price upon the labor of
your mind. and the work of your hands;
then return its full equivalent Hogarth,
famous painter, was once applied to on
one occasion by close, miserly old noble
man to paint on his ceiling a representa-
ton of the destruction of Pharaoh host
in the Red Sea. There was much chat
fering and higgling about the price. The
miser was unwilling to pay more than
half the value of the picture. AT last Ho-
garth, out of all patience, agreed to his
patrons terms. Within a short time the
picture was completed The nobleman
| surprised at such expedition called to
see it. The canvass was painte red
tZoundsP' exclaimed the miseF, what
have you here / ordered a scene from
the Red Sea-" 1.-The Red Sea you have"
said Hogarth, still smarting to have his
talents underated. "But where are the
Israelites? ?' They have all gone over" :"
And where are the Egyptians p They
are all drowned" The miser's confusion
could only be equalled by the haste with
which he paid his bill
Akin to this is the cultivation of large
hearted liberality. 1t pays to be gener-
Gus. Secure a reputation for prompt
compensation for services rendered to
you, and you will engender alacrity in
your subordinates. 1t cannot be too
strenuously insisted that prompt pay
ments is the grand talisman of business
success.
John Randolph, in the midst of one of
his splendid rhapsodies in the Senate,
paused, and fixing his eyes an the pre-
siding officer, exclaimed "Mr. President
/ have found the Philosophers stone 1t
consists in these four plain English mon
osyllables, pay as you go. In your
quiet essays remember that the golden
apples are gathered only by slow asceEts
up the lofty ladder whose base rests at
your feet, but whose upper end is inyisi-
bic to you. PAY as you 60" is the first
step upward.
To the faint hearted sudden reverse
is the apology for entering upon the road
which leads to besotted indulgence. But
it is on these occasions when you are
called upon to test whether you be man
of butter or a man of iron. 1t is neces-
sary to cultivate spirit of inquiry. 1t
will be observed that all eminently pros
porous individuals have been profound
observers of men. Nor can you attain
substantial prosperity without progress
i've mental improvement.
The greatest force of character cannot
be attained without a sound mind in
sound body. The world does not apply
the word finished to the young miss or
gent who has just passed out from the
care of professors
Education, in its broad sense, does not
consist in the ability to coniugate latin
verbs and talk wisely of the sciences. 1t
is simply bringing our of the faculties
and exercising power whose vitality
ceases unless continually goaded into
activity.
There is another point in worldly pros
perity which is too often overlooked.
We mean the cultivation of a uniform
courtesy of demeanor toward every asso-
ciate in life. If you are sour and peevish
in disposition be assured that little money
will fall into your till. Urbane manners
and a polite salutation have not unire-
quently been the introduction to prefer
ment. Men have grown rich and power
ful by the practice of those little ameni-
ties which make up, in great measure,
the enjoyment of life. Words fitly
spoken are like apples of gold in pictures
OF silver"
Finally, cultivate a liberal christianity
This does not consist of rituals and gen
uhexions. 1t is greater than the church.
1t is not simply almsgiving, for the
Pharissee may do this but it is the silent,
constant alteration of the heart manifest
ing itself always where there is a duty to
perform. Churches and creeds are only
dumb shows, unless we live in the details
Of our being with a sleepless attention to
our responsibility to the All Wise.