Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-01-01
Beecher's Advice.

The following letter from Henry Ward
Beecher to his son contains in brief the
philosophy of successful life. The Ere-
cepts are sound and in their terse vigor
cannot fail to impress deeply the receptive
mind of youth and, If followed, will make
an honorable and successful man.
BRooKLYE, N. Y, Oct. Is, 1878.
My Dear Herbert You are now for the
first time really launched into life for your
self You go from your fathers house,
and from all family connections, to make
your own way in the world. 1t Is good
time to make new start, to cast out
faults of whose evils you have had an ex-
perience, and to take on habits the want
of which you have found to be so damag-
ing.
/. You must not go into debt. Avoid
debt as you would the devil Make it a
fundamental rule No debt-cash or moth
ing.
?. Make few promises. Religiously OBJ
serve even the smallest promise. A man
who means to keeps his promises cannot
afford to make many.
,. Be ScrupulouSy careful in all state
ments. Accuracy and perfect frankness,
no guess work. Either nothing or accu-
rate truth.
1. 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. Seh>hness is fatal.
.. Hold yourself responsible for high
or standard than anybody else expects of
you. Demand more of yourself than any
body else expects of you. Keep your per-
sonal standard high Never excuse your
self to yourself. Never pity yourself. BE
hard master to Yourself, but lenient to
everybody else.
+. Concentrate your force on your own
proper business do not turn off. Be CON
staut, steadfast, pcrSeveriug.
1. The art of making ones fortune i.
to spend nothing; in this country any in
telli@ent aud industrious young man may
become rich if he stops all leaks and is not
in hurry DO not make haste; be pa
tent =
s. DO not speculate or gamble. You
go to land where every body is excited
and strives to make money suddenly,
largely and without woI King for il. They
blow soap bubbles. Steady, patient indus
try is both the surest and safest way.
Grecdine>s and haste are two devils that
destroy thousands every year.
., In regard to Mr. b, he is a South
ern gentleman; he j. receiving you as a
favor to me; do not let him regret it.
10. heseech you to correct one fault
severe speech Of others; never speak evil
of any man, no matter what the facts NAV
be. llasty fault-iiudng and severe speech
of absent people, is not honorable is apt
to be unjust and cruel. makes enemies to
yourself, and is wicked,
IL. You must remember that you go to
Mr., B-not to learn how to manage a
farm like his. one or two hundred acres
not forty thousand, is to be your future
homestead but you can learn the care a
cattle, sheep, the culture of wheat. the
climate, country, manners and customs
and hundred things. that will be need.
full.
II. 1T by integrity and we'll earned sue
cess you deserve well of your fellow citi-
zens, they may, in years to come, ask you
to accept honors. DO not seek them do
not receive them while you are young
wait; but when you are established YOU
may make your fathers name known with
honor in halls of legislation Lastly, do
not forget your fathers and your mothers
God, Because you will be largely de-
prived of church privileges, you need all
the nerve to keep your heart before God.
But do not despise small churches and
humble preachers. Mind not high things,
but condescend to men of low estate"
Read often the Proverbs, the precepts
and duties enjoined in the New Testament.
May youi fathers God 20 with you and
protect you.
HFNRy w .pn BErcuTn.