The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1890-12-06
GOOD WORDS TO 4 YOUNG MAN,
The Late Henery Ward Beecher's
Advice to His Son,

The following letter from Henry Wari
beecher to his son is declared to hav,
never been published. 1t is reminiscent
OF the worldly good sense of the advice
given to Laertes by Polonius, but it is also
permeated by the leaven of Christian
experience. The precepts in it are those
which if followed would produce good
man as we'll as gentleman;
BROOKLYN, N. Y, Oct. Is, '78.
Nv Dear Herbert You are nowf or The
first time really launched into life fol-
yourself You go from your father s
house and all the family connections, to
make your own way in the world. 1t is
q good time to make new start, to cast
out faults of whose evil you have had an
experience, and to take on habits the
want of which you have found to be SO
damaging.
/. You must moi go into debt. Avoid
debt as you would the devil. Make it a
fundamental rule: No debt-cash or moth
ing.
3. Make few promises. Religiously Oh
serve even the smallest promise. A man
who means to keep his promises cannot
afford to make many.
3. Be scrupulously careful in all state
ments. Accuracy and perfect frankness, no
guesswork. Either nothing or accurate
truth.
4. When working for others sink your
self out of sight; seek their interest.
Make yourself necessary to those who
employ you, by industry, fidelity and
scrupulous integrity. Selhshness is fatal
5. Hold yourself responsible for high
er standard than anybody expects of you.
Demand more of yourself than anybody
else expects of you. Keep your personal
standard high. Never excuse yourself to
yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a
hard master to yourself, but lenient to
everybody else.
6. Concentrate your force on your own
proper business; do not turn off. Be
constant, steadfast, persevering.
z. The art Of making one fortune is
to spend nothing; IN this country any in
teiligent and industrious young man may
become rich If he stops all leaks and is
not in hurry. Do not make haste; b.
patient.
8. Do not speculate or gamble. You
so to land where everybody is excited
and strives to make money suddenly,
largely and without working for it. They
blow soap bubbles. Steady, patient in
dustry is both the surcst and the safest
way. Greediness and haste are two devils |
that destroy thousands every year.
8. In regard to Mr.. B., he is South
erner; he is receiveing you as favor to
Inc; do not let him regret it.
10. beseech you to correct one fault
severe speech of others; never speak evil
Of any man, no matter what the facts may
be. Hasty fault finding and severe speech
of absent people is not honorable, is APP,
to be unjust and cruel, makes enemies to
yourself, and is wicked.
II. You Must remember that you 60
TO Mr.. B., not to learn to manage a
farm like this. One or two hundred
acres, not forty thousand, is to be your fu
lure homestead. But you can learn the
care of cattle, sheep, the culture of wheat,
the climate, country, manners and Gus
oms, and hundred things that will be
leedful.
~. If by integrity, Industry and well
earned success you deserve we'll of your
seIow citizens, they may in years to come
.sk you to accept honors Do not seek
hem, do NO: receive them while you are
young-wait; but when you are estab
ished you may make your fathers name
Known with honor in Halls of Legislation.
Lastly, do not forget your fathers and
'our mothers God. Because you will be
argely deprived of church privileges,
'ou need all the nerve to keep your heart
before God. But do not despise small
;hurches aud humble preachers. Mind
Tot high things, but coGdesceud to men
# low estate
Read often the proverbs, the precepts
nd duties enjoined 10 the NewTestament
lay your fathers God go with you and
,rotect you.
HENRY WARD BEECHER.