The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-07-24
Sound Advice to a Young Man,

The following letter from Henry
Ward Beecher to his son Herbert was
published some time ago in the Ne,u
York Tribune:
BROOKLYN, N. Y, Oct. 10, 1878.
My Dear Herbert:-You are now
for the first time really launched into
life for yourself. 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 a
new start, to cast out faults of whose
evil you have had an experience, and
to take on habits the want of which
you have found to be 80 damaging.
"1. You must not go into debt
Avoid debt as you would the devil.
Make it fundamental rule: No debt
cash or nothing.
90. Make few promises. Religiously
observe even the smallest promise. A
man who means to keep his promises
cannot afford to make many.
"3. Be scrupulously careful in all
statements. Accuracy and perfect
frankness, no guesswork. Either moth
ing or accurate truth.
"4. When working for others sink
yourself out of sight; seek their inter-
est. Make yourself necessary to those
who employ you-by industry, fidelity
and scrupulous integrity. Selfshness
is fatal
"5. Hold yourself responsible for a
higher standard than anybody else ex-
poets of you. Keep your personal
standard high. Never excuse yourself
to yourself. Never pity yourself. Be
a hard master to yourself, but lenient
to everybody else.
"6. Concentrate your force on your
own proper business; do not turn off.
Be constant, steadfast, persevering.
CT. The art of making ones fortune
is to spend nothing. In this country
any intelligent and industrious young
man may become rich if he stops all
leaks and is not in hurry. Do not
make haste; be patient.
"S. Do not speculate or gamble.
You go to a land where everybody is
excited and strives to make money
suddenly, largely and without working
for it. They blow soap bubbles.
Steady, patient industry is both the
surest and safest way. Greediness and
haste are the two devils that destroy
thousands every year.
SO. In regard to Mr.. b, he is a
Southern gentleman. He is receiving
you as favor to me; do not let him re-
greet it.
go. | beseech you correct one fault
severe speech of others; never speak
i'll of any man, no matter what the facts
may be. Hasty fault-fnding, and Sc
we're speech of absent people, is not
honorable, is apt to be unjust and cruel,
makes enemies to yourself, and is
wicked.
Gil. You must remember that you
go to Mr.. B. not to learn to manage a
farm like his. One or two hundred
acres, not 10000, is to be your future
homestead; but you can learn the care
of cattle, sheep, the culture of wheat,
the climate, country, manners and GUS
toms, and hundred other things that
will be needful.
"12. If, by integrity, industry and
well-earned success you deserve we'll of
your fellow-citizens, 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 for
get 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 pre-
cepts and duties enjoined in the New
Testament. May your fathers God go
with YOU and protect you.u