The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-06-11
TO FIND AN OCCUPATION WHERE
ALL PROSPECTS PLEASE.
An Essay, by Robert g. Trumbull, at the
Cresco High School Anniversary,
June 5, 1891.

is, in what shall engage for my LIES
work, now that my school days are over.
Ofthe vast numbers OF young men who
are continually passing from school into
active, independent manhood, there are
very few who can fairly escape the neces-
sity OF having business or profession.
It seems to be the law OF our nature that
there can be no genuine happiness, as
we'll az excellence, without labor. Intelli-
gent work is not only one Of the best ed
ucators Of individual character, but it is
also chief motive power in the progress
OF men and OF nations, and the first thing
to be done is to make careful selection
OF a business or profession.
Very desirable, however, whether in or
ont of profession. is 1t to find an occu-
patton, which in it's inception, pictures
or forecasts for itself, prospects and re-
suits, pleasing, enticing and successful.
Shall we say the great deslderatum is to
find an occupation wherein wealth or
honor, or some great social and intel
lectual success follows closely and speed
lily ordinary exertions? In my belief such
an occupation it is impossible to find,
and it Is well for us that such is the case.
It is rather for us to search for an occu-
patton which has, under certain condi-
tons, all prospects to please.
Life is a voyage. Careful selection of
the route. our occupation or profession,
may be the avoidance of early ship
wreck, and happy harbipger of marvels
of success. And, since SO much depends
upon the selection Of our life's work,
must not the wrong selection of our
occupation be one of the most prominent
causes of strife and discomfort among
our people?
The failure of the age, in a systematic
and effective way to develop and utilize
the natural aptitudes Of men fer the in
dustries and intellectual avocations is
one OF the greatest wastes, as we'll as
the main cause of financial ruin and dis
couragement.
All who have read Looking Backward"
which has been pronounced one OF the
greatest literary productions of the nine
teenth century, will readily see the ad-
vantage the year two thousand will have
over the present age in this connection.
According to the story, q reformation is
to take place, which will, thereafter, pre-
vent the inequality Of man and man, and,
in turn, enable every man to ascertain
and follow his natural bent in choosing
an occupation. Since the length OF their
workday is to be determined by the
character of their various labors, their
incomes must necessarily be equal, and
we easily see how absolutely essential it
will be to the happiness OF each, that he
choose such an occupation as is best
suited to his nature.
At the present. however, inequality of
opportunities has great effect, as many
cannot afford to cultivate their natural
talents; and even OF those who are able,
many are deceived or led OF by the false
lights of vice and social dissipation. And
money-making considerations, tempting
men to pursue occupations for which
they are not fitted, instead of less remu-
nerative employments for which they
are fitted, are responsible for another
vast perversion of talent.
Would Shakespeare have been of any
consequence to the world as an agent IN
promoting the interests OF mankind, il he
had spent his time, as many OF his fell
lows did, in search of gold, or glory OF
conquest? Do you suppose others would
have done so much IN the same direction,
il he had not written King Lear, Hamlet,
or Merchant Of Venice? Shakespeare
spent his time, his life, in noble Efforts
efforts whose results will ever provide
sustenance for the intellect, refinement
for the tastes, and inspiration for the ele.
walton of mans moral nature.
But without troubling ourselves over
what might or might not have happened
to the talented Shakespeare, we console
ourselves in the anticipations of the
twentieth century, in which We see great
Change remedy for these prevailing
evils. In that time, scarcely visible in
the distant future. equal education and
opportunities must needs bring to light
whatever aptitude man has, without So
cial prejudices or mercenary considera-
tions hampering him in the choice of his
life's work.
Some one has observed, that the best
rule for the selection of an occupation is
to follow ones own lnclinations; and
wherever the rule has been rightly ap-
piled, We will surely find results pleasing
and successful.
After We have selected an occupation,
according to the conditions discussed, We
must next concentrate all the work Of
past years OF school life upon this one OBJ
ject. 1t Is often stated that high school
course is entirely unnecessary IN an Or
binary education; but it is in this course
that we do a great part OF the work Of
school life. What has been the work Of
these past years OF school life? To cul-
tivate and train our powers OF applica-
ton, perseverance, and self-culture. Now,