The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-06-28
.wnat shan I Do?"

IS a very good text was this, taken by Rev:
T,r. sfUssLAND in his sermon to the young
mon. he the University. This Is, the qies-,
zion that all young Virgtnians- shonid COM
sitier With great earnestness and caimness.
The period Is peculiar. Never at any Tor
nner time had The young men about entering
active life such'a difficult problem to selve.
The social revolution that followed the civil
war uprooted customs and family econo-
miess it rendered unavoidable an entirely
new order OF economy in ali branches Of
life, and those young men who advance 70
take upon their shoulders their share Of the
burthcns. social and political, must encoun.t
ter ensbarrassments the like OF which were
unknown TO our fathers. ..4 49,
These young men should go to what they
have to do with gallant hearts and manly
resolution. They should be ready for any
trial incident to their progress, and should
be dismayed ct nothing. The whole sys-
tenn Of social progress now must be differ
ent from that which prevailed before the
war. Much more activity is now needed
much iess time is allowable to the pausing
and preparation before beginning. Men
must be more prompt and more indcpen-
dent than ever. Comforts, conyeniences,
and means OF leisure that inculcated lin
serins, faquiry, and waiting upon occa-
sion are cut down so that neither wait
ing nor inquiry has much room to
tiotain tho candidate for occupation or tho
expectant of place. The occupation must
be made, the place must be found. There
is not the bright and baImy period for paus-
ing delightfully."- before setting out. There
is little time for standing "upon the order
OF going" The command now is to go at
once, 10 find out promptly what you are to
do and do it.
Moretban ever that noblest principle OF
the American revolution-pe personal ande-
peadence-is acknowledgements men. Every
man should feel that he must be lndepend-
emit or nothing. What people find for their
hands to do. that let them do. Ii young men
go to the professions, let them so so, and at
once. To put up signs and linger about,
enjoying leisure and willing away time in
idleBess. can make nothing OF man. The
duty of doing something that they may be-
come independent--that they may become
reSpectcd and trusted .aS-yaluaDie members
OF the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES never for mo-
ment be forgotten by young men. They
should inform themselves OF practical mat.
tiers. an d show that they are industrious by
pursuing their studies and by being ready
and prompt to practice what they profess.
1t is q period in which drones cannot MAIN
tain themselves or be maintained. The COM
Portable bomcsteads populated with 'sery-
ants to attend upon leisure and ease, and
the serrile labor that ever secured album
dance to those who basked iu the shade and
enioyed the graces OF leisure, are gone,
gone, and a new, political and social heaven
and earth are manifested. There is no
time for long hating and doubt. H.. ~
You who have professions 70 to them,
and work at them. You who have trades
and you who have land to till put your
hands to the wore. Independence should
be the ambition oil all men, assured that in
dividual independence secures the indie
pendence Of the Commonwealth and both
private and public virtue md bonor. y"
The young man who deliberatcs upon
these things intelligently, wisely, and man
fully, and applies himself to his work as he
should, will meet the demand OF the times.
he who does not, will fail-he will'fai, to
fulfil his duty as citizen-he will fail to
secure his own independence and the re-
spect and trust of the community in which
he lives. Such a man must lose at last his
own self-respeet, and then - -.
The people-the Commonweath-eXpect
all young men to advance to their impor-
tant private and public duties with sense
Of what they owe to their noble mother MS
we'll as to themselves. They were born in
the midst of heroic period-a period when
the people OF Virginia were Offering up
their lives as sacrifice to the defence and
honor of the dear old Commonwealth. The
lesson then impressed upon them must
have been but poorly imprinted, or they
will prove equal to the exigency OF the
times and become faithful, trustful, indepen-
dent mer, their country's pride and stay in
all trials that may come.
Tho Citv Enoinaar