The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-17
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
SUGGESTIONS TO BUSINESS MEN-sERMoN BY

SUGGESTIONS TO BUSINESS MEN-sEBMoN BY
REV. DIR. ARMrrAaE.
The Rev. DR.. Armitage dscoursed on the subject Of
suggestions to business men. taking his text from
l. Thessalonians w. 2-"Study to be quiet. and TO do
your own business, and to work with your own
hands as we commanded you; that We may walk be-
comingly towards those without and may have need
of nothing" The great mass Of men, said the Doctor
are engaged in business Of Sort either in trade
and commerce, direct buyers and sellers, or as
artisans and manufacturers of what is to be bought
and sold. The absolute necessity that they should
be so employed originates in the wants of man
and in the social compact. so that every one
who is capable of labor should be active. 1t is an
outrage on the rights of man that any man should
live others without rendering them an equivalent
for his living, yet some are so exalted in their ideas
that they never the need of work. but send of
their minds on dream and vision journeys where it
Is revealed to them that they bodess except at
meal times Thoy have a choice creed of seven
articles only. the cardinal principles of which arc
.siyc loaves and two fishcs but that article which
says that If man will not work neither shall he
eat they reject deadly heresy. The three facts
are that at such time the wicked world was
scourgcd for its depravity by his birth. that the
dronc bored it for many years while he lived and
that its gratitude rang a jubilee over him when it
was rid OF him.
Our text cnjoins the very opposite of this, namely
that man shall work with his hands. and do
his own business, that he may walk becomingly,"
having ''noed of nothing and commanding the re-
spect Of all about him. and that business men may
be somewhat aided in such efforts, let suggest
the following thoughts:-Now at the very beginning
the text points out to you. first, The spirit which
you to possess and cultivate as business mon
'study" that is, strive be ambitious "to be great
You arc to do business peacefully. Now, this docs
not require yon to be tame and inert for that con
sruction wou.d conflict with the other parts of the
text which require you to carry energy and resou-
ton into your business in fact you cannot get a
full and proper insight into your business without
this The true thought is that it is not to be done
in loud driving. deceptive and ostentaious way
AS q rule you will find that the quiet thoughtful
business man is the most successful This is natural
enough. Such man will be apt to reflect before
hand what il to be DONE and to observe the proper
time, place and>manner of doing it,
Every form ST business exposes you to unpleasant
positions. ALI have their unpleasant pecularties
and quiet. thoughtful spirit viii best enable you to
and overcome those OF your own calling. This
disposition viii throw around you safeguard
against all unjustihabe rivalry, against all un-
just commentator of yourself or OF your goods
and against all injurious disparaEcmant OF others
1t will greatly help yon also in resisting all unmanly
envy and in the exercise Of charity toward the
defects Of other business men, against what you
believe to be proper treatment of YOURSELF for
of the most inviting spectaccs in the world is to
bcarance toward the inhrniitcs OF other business
mer. Seconds-You are to do business honestly that
will not be misused if include in 1t Justice and
truth Certainly no two eemcuts are more essen
tial in the character of a business man than these
and nothing is easier in business life than to CON-
promise the one or tho other, or both, in
fact, to make perfect shipwrcck of them. But
yet they cleavc together-ticy cannot be separated
Justice and truth require due respect to the general
laws of your own class OF business men, 80 that
whether they be rich or poor, strong weak. they
shall not DO made the subjects of sharp practice
the dishonest prey OF grinding necessity. Justice
and truth require the prompt payment of govern
mont of all its lawful claims, and must therefore be
supported by the payment of all dutiful citizens in
their honest rata Of its support Truly Is pitful
sight TO sec many commercial men will work and
shift to cude lawful duties where there is honest
difference to their awfulnchs Justice and truth
require transparency and frankness both in buying
and aeliuO.