The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-07-22
lhe diye.s,;ids.
a Boys Way to Success.

Every boy wishes to be success
full; and he thinks if he only coult
find a sure road to success in an,
undertaking, he could not hesitate
to enforce it. 1t is the fear of fail
ure at the last that keeps many from
pushing on. .....
There are three qualities that will
insure success in any walk of life
viz: ability, integrity and industry
and though, at first sight, it might
seem as if the first of these must be
a gift, and cannot be cultivated, you
will find it is fact that everybody
has ability, if he only finds out in
what line ofstudy or action it lies.
Ability is the power of doing thing
well. A boy should learn early that
he cannot have ability in everything
tthasyis, few bo}sa tave a great deal
of general ability. The first rule
should be that whatever is worth
doing at all is worth doing we'll" A
boy who does his best in whatever
he undertakes, will soon find what
direction his efforts meet with most
marked success; and having discov-
cred that, let him bend all his ener-
gies to be first in that particular
branch of study or work. Better be
tirst-class carpenter than a fourth
rate lawyer: good machinest than
a poor doctor.
But many boys cannot judge of
their own ability, and the father who
should study his sons peculiar tenn
permanent and characteristics, gives
them little thought.
Don't give it up; be on the watch
to make good friend; choose your
associates among those who aim
high, not as to money or social stan
ding, but as to learning and earnest
Christian living.
4 boy should have at least one
friend several years his senior, who
can guide him as to a choice of what
branch of work or study to set his
best efforts to. He will by earnest
endeavor gain ability.
But let him guard his integrity
This is more than truthfulness; it is
whole e-heartedness. A boy of integ
rity is like stout, staunch ship
sailing through the ocean; the waves
may sway her from side to side, but
she remains firm.
Boys, make up your minds to be
true. If you have deceived, say tc
yourself, and say, "by Gods helr
I'll stop short from this day.
must earn an honorable name, and
l will" and at whatever cost tC
yourself, be true; let no temptation
spring a leak In your heart.
Now, about industry, A boy with
good ability and integrity, even il
he is rather lazy and shiftless, will
perhaps get along, but what oppor
tunities lost for usefulness!
Boys, remember that the mos
successful men have been the mos
industrious. 1t is easy to point out
some rich men and say, 'He begar
poor boy" Yes, he worked hare
year in and year out.
One. word about this industry
Don't let it be simply being indus
trious to be rich. Aim higher thai
riches. Store your mind with CLEAN
ings from the best writer's, cultivate
taste for reading, and let the sue
cess at which you aim be the appro
val of good conscience. Riches arr
not to be despised; but it is only
when they are united to learning
and religion that they are to be en-
We'd.
/ wish boys would realize more
that every little event of their boy
hood is shaping their future char
acter. The boy who is more anxious
to understand perfectly what hi
learns, than to appear to make great
progress, who cares more for acqulr
ing knowledge than to shine as
student, will be a man of more abili
ty and integrity than one who care:
for the mere surface show.