South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-06-08
False Teaching Of Boys.

made TO 4 gentleman who, when he
! stood before school boys to address
them, stimulated them BY telling them
lrhat if they worked Lard in school
aud Afterwards, they might, one day
be Mayor o. the city, Governor of the
State and Preaident of the United
States. lie also told them that the
itch men Of The country were once
poor, and by industry, perseverance
and hard work bad made millions OF
money, and were now able to live
like nabobs. Thus he taught the boys
to aim at high Office and grea, wealth
rs the true measure Of success.
This description brings wildly be-
fore me an incident which occurred
ia New York some years ago. a
mission school, in which l was inter-
ested, celebrated its removal to better
quarters. Several gentleman address
ed the school. One OF them employ.
Ell the arguments and almost the very
language quoted above. Another
told them. there was no virtue or
merit in Office or meney, aud neither
of them WAS fit object Of pursuit rs
an end; they are to be sought only as
the means OF accomplishing some.
thing for the good OF others and the
glory of God.
The first speaker had supported his
appeal to the avarice and ambition OF
the boys before him, by relating this
story; He said merchant from the
country requested to be introduced at
one of the city banks, and after
an interview with the President, said
on going out, what superior man
the President is =
Now, boys, said the speaker, Il re.
piled to my friend, that bank Prosi.
dent was once poor little boy, en-
ployoI 10 sweep out the bank, aud has
risen by talents and toll To be Il ri eli
and great man. SO may any of you
become bank President, or q great
merchant, or member OF Congress
4 third speaker then addressed the
school, who told the following anec-
dote as on offset to the forMer:
lie entitled it the sad story of a
boy who was ruined by false teaching
al mission school
He said there was once n boy whCsc
teachcrtalked TO him much about get
ting on i'll the world, becoming rich &
great. AT length his MUD was fred
VITA two monster passions, avaricc
and ambition wanted 10 be rich
and ne wanted TO 90 to Congress. lie
thought OF ii continually; he could
see no method of accomplishing his
purposes; years passed away, and yet
Ills l0nglngs were unqualified he re.
NAMED poor and obscure. lie became
desperate; he delermih To have mo
ncy 10y some means, and with that To
make his way 10 the Gapilol. lie b ood-
ell over the matter day and night, his
Whole nature was absorbed in tia dc.
SIZE for riches and power. At length a
fatal opportunity offered, and in un e.
wi hour, ir:ntic With the thirst for gold
ana office, h. committed robbery 10 a
large account, and Us he cIuchcd Lao
wages OF crime he thought he touched
the first stop in the ladder OF fama and
wealth. Visions Of future ease and dis
tincticn rose before him he spurnel the
low and soriii past, ani glowed with
hopes OF the future.
But. alas The hand OF Justice sud.
deuly arrested him, blighlsi al lis
fond. delnsivc prospects, and cast linn
down into the depths OF dospair and
misery. That young man ins;ead OF
sracing the halls Of legislation, is now
a c"nvic; in The States prison.
HIS former teacher lleary. OF it and
went to see him. lie expressed much
~ ,upaihy with the young man, and ask
ell how he could have forgotten tie in
strucIions Of the Sunday School all
committed q crime which had brought
him INTO wretchcdness.
Judge Of his surprise and horror when
Tho unhappy criminal turned on hin
bitterly and charged him with bcil-
tfo aI!hor OF his misiortuGes. You
fought me- he said, to regard the pu,-
suiI OF money nnd power "a the chief
aim OF iitc. tried 10 reach II honestly
utGaIlcd looking upon faiIur- as more
dlsSraceiui than honesty, fell into the
snare. Eut for your teachings woaid
have Teen conten. with M humble lot
~ life, and might hays liyed yirtuously
and use'ully; bat you created within
me o restless Iougirg which could not
rcprcss, and which / coulG not satisfy
Wy any honest means. T. stung ne to
Tic quick, ihat, after all my aspirat.ous
aud s.ruG 5ics, was All po2i aud Oh
scure; 1 resolved TO rise above 10Y low
condition; rcy nature cried out fJr rich.
es and place temptation came saw
those prizes within nv reach; reckless
OF right an Of danger, graspel tdcm
ant io1nd nm empty shadoa, and a
"irefnl curse. Behold your handwork :!
Let hose who assume the training Of
fboy5 bo adnonishcd Hero lies the
'aull Of much modern instruction; y.r-
tue and religion nrc taught not for them.
selves, but - means TO other ends
BOYS arc urged TO De pious and yr.uous
| because in t1,s way they viii be more
sufo Of success in lie the GOOD man
vii get more money nul higher Office
/ ~ tho long ran, than u vicious one, and
/ for this reason vice ia 90 DC stunned AMI
gJOdnC s tOUgAt. o. at least ur ,r,rscJ