The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-09

at the old home, the garden and orchard, the
hillside and meadow where every tree and flower
wakes 9 thousand pleasing memories, to feel thai
we are looking on these for the last time invest
the scene with a sacred interest. and we calrJ
with us in all our wanderings and through every
change of fortune the deep impression Of thai
last farewell. The last words Of q dying friend,
the yery movement Of his features and the tone,
of his voice are ns imperishsble az memory
These survive wildly and distinctly when eN ry
thing else is fading from view and reason Itself
is tottering. Something Of this sanctity and
solemnity gather about the present occasion t.
YOU and to me: officially We speak our last words
to-day. All the circumstances Of the occasion,
therefore; your interest and my own sense Of
duty unite in the admonition that The words
spoken. should be words Of soberness and truth.
Your thoughts are doubtless much engaged
with reference to your future profession. Ii
YOU have not already decided upon it you are
no doubt seriously raising the question, what
avocation shall 7 choose? What shall be my Life
work? This question you must answer fo1
yourself. So emphatically and distinctly is it q
matter of your own. choosing that help here
could be wisely given only In a very genera
way. But there IL a question closely connected
with this, ingeparable from it, indeed, Which de-
mands your earnest consideration. l refer te
those
CONDITIONS on WHICH ALL SUCCESS DEPENDS.
Whatever may be the calling to which you de-
vote your gifts and requirements, 1t Ii o matter
OF prime concern to you and of deepest interest
to society that you succeed.
It il often said 'there is nothing succeeds like
SUGGEST" This saying is valuable, not because OF
what it expresses but because OF what IL mklies
not because Of what it explains but because
of what it hintsat. It implies that
there are certain general principles which under
lie the successful prosecution OF every business
and work; it implies that whenever you have Sc
cured the confidence Of your fellow-men, when
ever they feel that they can trust you with thel
most precious interests then the ascent 10 TINT
highest worldly good is bya way broad and easy
But be assured this confidence ID not secured III .
day or by a single ehort-it Is matter OF BIO"
growth. ,. u.. l.
pEr1N1TENEss OF AIM.
You will not find unless you seek-seek some.
thing. The highest attainments and the mos'
favoring fortune will not save you from failure
unle,s You ret before you an object and pursue
it steadily and resolutely. We say nothing no" a.
to the character Of that objective state Simply
a condition Of success in every aVocatlon: ~
the one hand IL purchases distinction and wealth
even for those who lack intelligence and mora
nrinciple and whose ends are oftentimes most I'M
worthy. On the other hand those who possess
learning and many accomplishments. yet whit
lack this one thing, live and die unhonored and I'M
sung. 50 far az results are concerned, erratc
effort is as barren as confirmed idleness. one
single life earnestly directed to q fixed purpose Is
worth . regiment Of those tht are aimless ano
haphazard. 80 you have found 1t N your eipe
renee as students. Those who rightly under
stand and properly appreciate their work are
those who rank highest in scholarship and gener,
Al attainments, and as you 60 out into the world
and mark and wonder at the success OF some
and tbs failure of others, in 8 large majority OF
cases the mystery will be solved by this very cir
cumstance, the presence or the absence OF asa,
OF Dr. overlook this condition, As you desire to sue