The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-21

There is not a more fitting time than
the present, for as who are about to leave
the kindly sheltering arms Of lima
Mater, TO make an estimate Of what We
have TO take with Us into the greater
world which we are now entering. Be
fore artisans begin any kind Of work,
they first consider the materials neces-
sary and at hand, and then proceed ac-
eordingly; thus we. without physical
and mental capacity, can hope 10
do nothing. This material or ability,
Intellectually considered, is Of two kinds,
natural and acquired, and it is the
former which we are TO notice. Care
must be taken not to confuse the two,
and so lay to the charge Of the great
Giver the effect OF what we are pleased
TO call gift from his hands, when in
truth it is but an inherited tendency,
strengthened and fostered by education
and our own indulgence. II is not these
Of which we are thinking, but the true
gifts with which men are endowed, and
which give each, in a measure, a pre-
dominance over another. The value Of
these gifts is realized, since we have
come to see that our own bare efforts,
however strenuous, the aids given by
our teachers, however efficient, can
avail but little when we come 10 leave
our sheltered school life, and enter upon
the busy, practical world life.
Granted that such gifts are bestowed
upon men, the next thing is for each one
20 fnd out his particular one. This
should not be a difficult task, as usually
we are not troubled with so many that
40 is hard TO make a choice. If there are
any who think they have none predom-
inant, let such console themselves by
thinking perhaps they are highly gifted
in every direction, and capable Of ex-
ceiling in any undertaking; and then let
them go to Jgork. In our school life we
have had but little difficulty in finding
for what particular branches each bad a
natural aptitude. This one was never
happier than when laboring through
some tedious mathematical problem;
that ones delight was TO classify plants
and capture hapless insects, while yet
another was in his element while dig
ging among Greek roots, and helping
Caesar build his bridges aud muster his
forces. While ia our studies it has
proved almost impossible for one to
equally excel in all branches; so in prac-
tical life we shall doubtless fnd il
equally hard to be alike efficient in
everything, and to work against our
natural tendencies. The right way is
not for one to wait for a leading talent
to make itself known, for one, "AIicaw-
ber"-like, might spend a lifetime in
waiting, but to put into practice the old
adage Of "AIahomet and the mountain. -
The possession Of "a true gift, one
valued for what il is really worth, will
unfit no one for practical life. Fortu-
nately, men Of genius, those individuals
who take pride in being eccentric and
general nuisances, and gifted women
who go about with a melancholy air,
with ink-stained or paint-dabbled
fingers, disheveled hair, and a general
air Of unkemptness, live only in dime
novels True gifts make their pos
SCISSORS feel above their present position,
only as they are able 10 rise above il by
the effort coming from such powers.
Between us and such gifts no obstacle
which eau possibly be overcome should
be allowed TO stand. That for which we
feel fitted by nature aud have fostered
by education has so become part of US
that 10 have it removed is like taking
away part Of our lives.
In a practical point of view, natural
and acquired abilities OF individuals
form an important part of a nations
wealth. We do not mean those gifts
which are not used, for they have DC
value when apart from intellectual OF
bodily exertion; but when put into ex-
ercise, they give a diversity Of advan-
tage proportioned to the diversity of the
gifts. The different desires Of men ia
social life give rise TO as many different
efforts 10 meet each desires, and in thi:
way each has an opportunity Of exercis
ing his natural talents to their utmost
OF course when one bends all his ener.
gies in direction congenial to hi:
tastes, he must surely excel in that di.
rection; and thus I'm the exchanges tina,
make up practical life, the abilities and
skill Of each one are rated at their rela.
tive worth. This mutual advantage il
from its nature, both legitimate an,
laudable. Considering these abilities a
capital, they must, like it, be used, fl
order TO make profit, but, unlike IT, vii
not draw interest if not employed b.
their immediate possessor.
Another practical advantage resultiu
from gifts is competition. This come
from different degrees Of effort, arisin
from the same or different gifts whel
ever bestowed. In our school life W
have found this an invaluable incentiy
TO greater exertion. Those who hav
preceded US in our entrance into activ
life will bear witness TO the same result
Merchants and tradesmen say it is th