The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-01-19
LAUAUR. "a AXE BgsINE ss COL
LEGE.

Clure, for the benefit OF the students of
the Business College, and it was atten-
lively listened TO by large and appre-
ciative audience of citizens Among
the many interesting subjects, said the
speaker, that may claim the attention
of young men and boys, that which re-
fers to their future life, work stands pre-
eminent. propose to discuss the SUBJ
ject of The selection of business as life
work this evening. The various kinds of
employmentin-w which men may engage
with honor and profit may be divided
into four classes, viz: Agricultural,
Mechanical, Commercial and Profess
sIonal. have placed these classes
in the order named, because the products
OF the earth lay at the foundation of all
active business. The mechanical depart.
ment is next to the agricultural, and util.
ICES the products OF the earth. When
these departments are IN successful oper-
alton. the way Is open for the merchant
70 handle what has been produced. The
vsrious professions are separated from
these departments ina given sense and
have for their object the best Interests,
both temporal and spiritual, of the whole
human family. These great departments
are in their turn subdivided into vast
number of sallings, each of which is
worthy of attention in selecting life
work. ...
Here we have general view of the
various departments in which men are
engaged. What will you select2 You
are ready to really probably that you are
not prepared to make choice OF anything
at this moment. In this you may be
right. 1t is not my purpose to either
urge you TO choose low, nor yet to pre-
sent toe claims of any psrticu-
lar calling. Instead of this, | propose to
direct your attention to such cuHsldera.
tons as will aid you in making your Sc
lection when the proper time has come.
First, i would urge you to take the sub
iect into your most earnest consideration,
Won must come TO q conclusion ut some
time and you will be far better able TO
make your selection wisely if you give
the subject careful and constant thought,
than if you let 1t alone until the last
moment. Life is too short 10 determine
this question by making experiments In
various kinds OF business. As the build
ing, When erected, answers TO the plans
OF the architect, so make your plans
carefully md wisely and you Will find
1t pleasure to carry them out 10 your
life work. But you may ask what points
you are to think about? The subject Is
very broad ard the questions con-
corning it are so numerous that you may
have serious difficulty in grasplng IT,,
That may aid you as far as possible
allow me TO say that you are TO examine
and understand, first, your own abilities
and Incllnstions; and second, the vari-
Gus departments of business, until you
find vocation that will suit your taste
and your ability.
There are two classes of men that de-
serve our pity. One class is represented
by the man VITO undertakes G life work
above bis ability. You may see him III
the pulpit, at the bar, IN the counting
room, III the factory, on the farm.
He is ubiquitous. The other class
is composed of those who
have no taste for their calling, and hence
take no pleasure in 1t. BY neither class
will great success ever be attained.
Think, then of yourselves. Whal are
you able to do? Whist do you like to do
beat? Carry these questions with you Is
you lCok over the wide range o! the
classes OF life work spread out before
you.
1t may safely be asserted that each OF
the classes of employment that has been
named is honorable in itself, and, prop.
erly conducted, will give you sbur dant
success. Among the great men whose
names are handed down to us, are found
some in each of these departments life
There Is, therefore, no risk In entering
any OF these departments.
Very few men possess such versatility
of taste and talent as will justify them
in attempting 70 conduct various and
different kinds Of business. Where one
succeeds in that kind of life at least one
neutrality-suspicious. sthousand-will fail.
Burns WAS not success rs u plowman,
nor was Goldsmith as y teacher. Shakes
peare would have made as poor u chow
in the chsir of Calvin, al Geneva, as Cal.
vim would have maize on the BOARDS of n
London theatre. Put even n Rothschild
in the place Of Wellington and the
history OF Waterloo would have
been reversed. Or place Napoleon in
the place OF Luther, and the Reformation
would have died 1T its birth. Some men
by logged perseverance, may succeed in
vacations to which they ore Lot adapted,
but their work is burden, and their lives
are joyless.
Many young men are forced 10 enter
into whatever business may be available.
They have no choice. They must do
something, and they are compelled to
take such employment rs may be offered,
whether it suits them or not. Many sue
coed IN this way. A kind Providence
leads them in ways they know not. But
this is the exception, and not an example
under the general rule.
In selecting lite work, determine 10
learn it thoroughly, and aim at eminence
in it. Begin at the bottom rung OF the
ladder, and master all the details Ms you
ascend stepiby step. Do not, Micswber-
like, stand waiting "fOr something to
turn up" but brsvely put YOUR shoulder
TO the wheel and make a business for
yourself.
Finally, in selecting life work, avoid
everything that is OF questionable
character.
There are many opportunities pre-
rented to young men to engage in work
that is Mt least of doubtful character.
They are tempted by the offer OF high
wages and large profits. They may
think that they can get along safely, but
they cannot. One questionable act will
soon require score Of others of worse
character to conceal it. This course Is
always from bad 10 worse, and the END is
usually failure, and disgrace snd shame.
Select no business that you cannot fol-
low with clear consciousness OF personal
integrity.