The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-31
SUNDAY. AUGUST 81, 1890.
THE IDEAL IN BUSINESS.

Some one says very roughly that the
struggle for bread in the streets OF our big
cities is very much like the fights for liv-
ing that 90 on in the Jungles Of India. Take
away the considerations OF duty, honor, aud
affection, and what is the mighty differ
encc except the light and help of prosti-
tuted intelligence Ii isyery true that the
reputation Of yisionary.or even being lit
erary man is near about fatal to man in
the business world. But to have
high ideal Of our calling IS ne
cessary to keep US from failing into
mere drudges, beasts OF burden, common
cattle. No matter what the calling, 1t is
The ideal that gives it responsibility; that is
the idea n man has of the real purpose and
object Of his business; of the character OF
the wealth he makes, Of what he does for the
world. and the reward he is entitled TO, OF
the scope and possibilities of what he does,
its principles, its laws, its methods, and ITS
achievements. The motive will make his ei-
fort or his self sacrifice creditable, and yet his
credit NAV be that of a martyr 10 another
thing than his business. lie may bring
credit on himself for submission and dis
credit on his calling for hating 1t. II he Is
10 magnify his Office and make his business
honorable, il must not be merely to support
helpless dear ones or for the glorious privi-
lego of being independent. He must know
what his business is. and be more or less
enamoured Of its ways and character
Then he will follow ii with enthusiasm and
growing love and devotion; and while he
makes its use an excellence TO be seen and
felt. he himself will be hOnOred IN II. This Is
true not only of the professions, law,
physic, science, art, teaching or theology
but in every calling, in banking, in agri-
culture in the plainest, commonest trade,
in merchandising, in manufa turing, in
every thing out Of which man may make
an honest living. 4 business is honorable
according 10 the way it is followed. Law
may easily become the trickery and trade
Of justice and burlesque Of honor. Physic
may be mere quackery. a heartless living
On human SuutIlnE. TNl'uNt may w lh'A'
intellectual snobbery and mysterious alb
surdity. And theology may pass into sol
emn and dignihed nonsense, a merchant
may be only a thief, and fnancier only
bird Of prey.
To save himself from the low and dsspi-
cable, every man must have respectable
ideal of his own business, and according to
his respect and devotion to it, he will HIM
self be decent, respectable, honorable.
We are all members one OF another.
Every legitimate calling is an Office TO be
filed in the service of society and of the SUI
preme Ruler. No one can be rightly follow
ed as purely selfish business, looking only
10 our own profit and comfort. No man can
make his office a spiders nest. And the
more man looks upon himself but as
member of society, a public servant, ac-
cOuntab!e for the good or harm he does to
The gene. world, the nearer he is to the
right VIE life, and the greater and more
honorable ' II be his achievements, the
higher, the protounder, the more divine his
happiness. 1t is plain law of business:
'Them that honor me ] will honor, and
they that despise pre- shall be lightly es-
teemed,'