The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-10-26


schools in this city number Of years ago.
Prot. Parker has been the superintendent
of schools at Elyria, the home OF Capt,
johnson, for dozen years and knows
him intimately:
ELYRIA, o., Oct "A, 1892.
w. S. Bradford, Mansfield, o.:
Dear Sir:-You write me that letters
have been received by farmers in your
county, charging E. G.. johnson with
being "a corruptor of young men," Such
charge is both false and malicious. No
one who Is at all acquainted with him
could ever entertain such thought.
have known Mr.. johnson for many
years AMI have known him as an upright
and honorable gentleman.
No man In Elyria has kinder heart
than be. He has large family of sons
and daughters, and he is noted for his
kindness TO them all, He has many times
expressed to me an earnest solicitude that
his boys might receive thorough educa-
tion, and become honorable and useful
men.
enclose "lay sermon" which he
wrote for the boys and girls, and pub.
lished in the Lorain County Reporter last
February. Any man who had 1t in his
heart to write such an article could not be
reasonably charged with making an effort
to mislead young men.
l believe Mr. johnson to be worthy the
votes Of all good men. Respectfully,
II. M. PARKER.
We regret that we have not space fol
the entire address mentioned in the above
letter but few extracts are hero given:
"You are living in very enlightened
age. Such progress as the world has
made in the few years last past, and Il
now making, has never been equaled in
the history Of the world before. You have
great opportunities and such as were de.
MED your parents. This fact is not so i'm
portant 10 you as is the use you are u
make Of II. What are you going to do
What plans haye you for the future
While no one is sure Of any certain period
in which to live, the great mass of you
have right to expect to pass many years
upon earth. Some of you, by accident ol
disease, will inevitably be taken early, buI
1t is experience that tells us q large per.
centage Of those who arrive at the age oI
ten years are likely to reach mature age
The world was always beautiful, and 1t Ii
now more attractive than eyer before. The
opportunities for getting an education
were never better, and the chances Of EN-
ployment to both sexes were never more
plentiful or more diversified. What dis
position do you intend 10 make of your
selves' For the most part you will bt
the arbiters Of your owu destiny.
The only true and safe foundation upOr
which TO build character Is honesty
Not especially that you do not approprl.
ate other peoples property without 9
right 10 do so, for none Of you would dc
that, but honesty Of purpose and honesty
in thought. Be honest with yourselves
Don't pretend to be what you are not. II
you have faults, II you are vain, proud
deceitful, jealous, tell yourself Of It, and
try TO correct these defects. II will not be
the easiest task In the world, but It can b,
done. Get an education such as is afford
ed by our public schools. II is good
enough II you master it. 1t is, however
but a beginning. Your whole life will be
school. Graduate with your class.
diploma from our union school will be q
certificate Of great value In all the future.
Learn habits Of industry and economy. BY
the sweat Of your brow shall you earn
your bread was ordained from the begin
ming.
Choose your calling and then pursue II
without wayering or shadow OF turning.
All professionals are full, but there Is
always room for one. That is the one
who makes room for himself. Merit sue.
cess and you will attain 1t. Daniel Web.
ster once told . young lawyer that all pro.
LESSONS were full, but that there was
always room up stairs. II Is as true today
as II was then. Only those succeed who
work, and only those should succeed.
Stay at home evenings. Stick to your
books and newspapers. OF course you
must not neglect amusemests nor social
gatherings at your neighbors, but when
they are all over and you have finished
the latest novel, take down Shakespeare
or Byron or Milton and read them. Pick