The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-04-02
HOW TO RISE FROM THE RANKS
BY GEORGE W. CuILDS.

have been requested to say some
thing which may be of benefit to young
men. 1t is thought that because l
have been young man, and have
achieved success, | am qualified to
advise others who are starting in lite.
1t is not for me to decide whether or
not this idea is correct. But am sure
that few benefits can be conferred upon
humanity more important than to help
the Young to lead good and useful
lives and it anything | can say will
promate that end, | am willing and
happy to say it.
Literature, ancient and modern, is
already full Of wise and noble lnstruc-
tions on this very point. | cannot
hope to improve upon the counsel of
those who have spoken before me.
But it often happens that people will be
less impressed bv an abstract statement
of truth than By concrete illustration
drawn from actual life. \ thing may
appear impracticable until it is done.
After It has been done or experienced
by some individual, then other persons
find It comparatively easy to do again.
Bearing this fact in mind, nope |
shall be excused for basin3 my remarks
upon the actions ana results OF my
own life. For | am sure what | have
done may be done by others. There
Is nothing miraculous in the success
that | have met with. 1t a man has
good principles, and does his best to
act up to thea,, he cannot fail OF sue
cess, though it gay noI - success Of
preCi ell the same kind or degree :
mine. There are innumerable ways
being useful in this world, and each
man has peculiar gifts and qua ltica-
tions. Each man will walk in the path
best adapted to him but there is no
reason why every path should not lead
toward one and the same pOint-tO-
ward the beneitng Of men IN general
Good principles are Just as good for
the artist as for the artisan-for the
poet as for the p,oHman-for the man
in business as for the clergyman. II
makes no difference what you do, as
long as 1t is just aud YOU are honest
and diljgent in the doing Of it,
1t is well, in my opinion, to acCustom
ones self early to work, and not 10 be
afraid Of any kind of work that IS honest
and useful. | began to support myself
when I was twelv- years old, and |
have never been dependent on Others
since then. | had some schooling,
but not much. | never went to col
lege, not because | did not think a
college career might be good thing
for those who could afford it, and who
could make a good use of it, bat be.
cause | did feel that it was not SO i'm
portant for me as to be earning my own
living.
A man can be industrious, and yet
his industry may not achieve much
valuable result. You must not only
work, but you must order your work
with intelligence. You must be pre-
pairing the way for what you intend to
become, as well as do what lies 10
YOUR hand. While | was working as
errand and Uffice boy ! improved such
opportunity as had to read books.
and to attend book sales, so as 10 learn
the market value of books and any thing
else that Nigh be useful to me here
after. Il was my aim always to be in
a position where | could use my best
talents to the best advantage. | fixed
my ambition high, so that, even ii
dld not realize the highest, | might at
least always lie tending upward. y
man should not only use all his tacuI'
ties, but be constantly developing them
so that he can do more. II you jumE
at thing with your whole heart and
mind, though you may not be eXcep
tioualIy able, it is wonderful how much
YOU may accomplish. But If you are
half hearted you will fail, You mus
not yield to the temptation 10 rela>
your efforts, aud turn off and amuse
yourself.
As time went on | kept bettering MI
position. and when l had an office il
the. pnitldelpiil Pdbdc LcdgeJ build.
ing,N5 believe said 10 myself, tina
some time [ will own that paper. a