American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-08-28
Words to the Young.

WE try 10 speak Often ana wisely to the
young of both sexes, and we are often over
forts to interest them. We know that
whatever our nation is to become rests
with the young; that the future of the
country is in their hands. So we seek to
make the boys and girls sweet and pure
and moral and thoughtful and intelligent,
and find our reward in the fact that the
work which we do in this direction will
live long after we are gone.
There is not man alive to-day who, if
he tell the truth, will not say that he has
fairly wasted a good deal of time which
he might have usefully employed. Young
men and young women never or rarely
reflect upon these things; but the reflec-
ton deepens as years advance. We wish
then we could live life over once more IT
this were allowed us how many errors
would we avoid; how many follies would
we surely escape; how many noble deeds
would we do. At middle age we are just
about ready to begin life in earnest. As
we stand midway between the cradle
der and regret that we permitted
the days of youth to go by only
half enjoyed. For, the truth is, we do
not really enjoy time which is misspent.
We cannot really say that hours passed in
idleness or dissipation are enjoyed. We
are never really happy when we are not
gaining something. There is, absolutely,
no genuine comfort except in acquisition,
and the supremest Joy of all is found sin
the acquisition of useflfz knowledge. =
Our young friends will find it vastly
more agreeable to look back upon the &C
complishment of some useful end than TO
take in by backward glance only time
and opportunities thrown away. If every
young man and young woman would de-
termine that they will accomplish some
thing in life the world would move for
ward with wonderful strides toward all
good and great ends If each boy Of
science or business before>I am twenty
five," what a world we should have about
us. Many young man will read these
words and will say: "I cannot be great
cannot master anything. l do not know
how to begin"
Let us tell you. Begin by mastering
yourself. Begin by being superior to the
ridiculc of others. Begin by the fixed res
oiution-a resolution which you need not
you will not smoke filthy
or put it in your mouth or touch
it, any more than you would any other
dangerous or offensive thing, Then de-
clare that you will never touch or taste
certain other pOisons, such as arsenic,
brandy, strychnine, wine, prussic acid,
beer and the like. Some of the poisons
which we have named you will not be
likely to use; others you will be tempted
to employ. The ones you are tempted to
use you should avoid more carefully than
the rest The ones which you are not
likely to be urged to swallow are no
more dangerous than the more fashionable
ones; but you are not likely to see them
as often, and so will probably escape their
injurious effects. -
You may say that others use some of
the poisons which we have spoken of and
live through it. OF course this is true;
but you are sensible young person
would you care to read this journal if you
were not e-and you do not wish to imi-
tate the dangerous practices OF any man
or woman. You have noticed that these
poisons do not always kill, of course.
This is merely because the dose taken has |
not been large enough. There is no dis I
putting the fact that they are all poisons.
All the opium and all the alcohol in the |
world never yet made single pound of
solid, honest flesh.
A young man can do great things in |
any direction if lie will but set about it |
with determination, and industry, and pa I
tience. No young man of any sort of
character will feel willing to be forever
behind in the race for position and honor |
and knowledge He would prefer to lead |
and not to be led. If he desires to lead
he can do so. 1t rests absolutely with him
% OccuDy Earnest endeavOr and right |
purpose, good habits, good morals and I
good health, clean hands and pure heart
these are the essentials-with these all
hings are possiblc.-HaNs journal Of
Hedlth.