The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-02-12
Don't Give up the Ship.

1t is always agreeable to bear enconra
ging advice. The New York Era, com
menting upon the above memorable sen
'enee, thinks that in times like the present
"there are among all classes in ever,
community, whether in great commercial
cities or in the retirement of the country
men who are depressed in mind and spirit,
and who are almost upon the border Of
yielding to the circumstances which sur.
round them, and call their lives failure.
Especially does this system in these hard
times develop itself among our young men,
and they give themselves up to dissipation
and idleness. The times are very dull,
and many young men out Of business, or
working on salaries barely sufficient for
support, friendless, in the ordinary accept
ed use Of that term, are ready to drop their
hands listlcssly by their sides instead Of
making one more effort, and, having failed
in that, being ready to make yet another
effort. Don't give up. Youth is no time
for absolute failure, however, often diMp-
poiatments assail you. The beginning Of
life Is no time for the sigh of regret or
Disappointment Fight on--buffet your
II fortune, and if you fail in the end, as
some will 60, and as many have done, you
viii fail after long struggle, and there is
much satisfaction, there is manhood in it.
The soldier who dies upon battlefield in
hopeless cause is not defeated in lifes
purposes. No one can hardy say he has
made failure of it, Make one more ef-
fort. A second or third effort has accom-
plished most of the great works that have
built the foundation of the worlds pro-
gress. 1t has made the great regulations
which the people admire, and delight to
praise in the lives Of their fellows. Effort
has followed effort, but each has been the
one more to its predecessor---c is step
Ia round Of the ladder--a notch in the
rock. Don't give up. Make one more
effort--this effort has saved many young
man from business-ruin, and from mental
and spiritual wreck which so often accom-.
panies business disaster. Therefore be
strong and brave in lifes struggles, and
when tempted to give up, make one more
trial for your manhood's sake"
Yes, We say to young men, do whatever
offers to BE- done rather than remain idle.
There is no disgrace in making an honest
living, but it is mean to live of others il
you are able to work and earn bread for
yourselves. An earnest, anxious willing
ness to do something will beget friends
and often procure better fortune. Let
it be fixed in your minds there is no such
word as fail, and don't give up the ship.
1t often occurs that young men, full of
health, hopefulness and energy, and also
those more advanced in years, fail because
of faults within themselves. They fall
into evil habits, become addicted to drink
ing, are seen when least aware Of it, under
the influence Of intoxicating liquors, and
perhaps good opinions are reversed which
might otherwise be entertained. No man,
whether young or old, can hope to gain
confidence or get or retain q situation in
business, with business employer, if he
gets drunk or INDUCES in the use of intox-
icating liquors. The reason is obvious.
He is not fit to be trusted, confdentially
or otherwise. To be convinced thorough
ly Of this absolute fact is the most valua-
bic information to men seeking to achieve
it--don't give up the ship.