Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-24
WORLD IS FULL OF MISFITS
Theme Discussed by Dr.. Rankin Before
Howard University Graduates.
The Idle who Stand in the Market
Plnces-ThOse Who Seek Gov.
eminent Positions.

1.-The world is full of misfits; poor minis
tiers, doctors. lawyers, who would have made
prime shoemakers or blacksmiths," said
President Rankin of Howard University, in
his baccaiaureate sermon yesterday before
the graduating class of Howard University,
and In the presence of large audience, at
Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.
The theme of DR.. Rankin's address was
the necessity for every person to have en-
ployment. and his text was from Luke.
xix 49, "And He called His ten servants
ard delivered unto them ten pounds, and
said unto them: Occupy until come. ;"
Dr. Rankin said, in part: 1.-THE great
want of every man is something to
do. something he can do. The true
aristocracy of the universe is not made up
of the idlers; not of those who are min
istered unto, but of those who minister
These are the titled class. These are
knghted by God. There Is no law of life
but this. The other is a law of idleness,
uselessness and death.
Safeguard Against Crime.
I'VE must work somewhere. If we are
idle, the devil hires us. 1t is the men who
stand idle in the market place to whom the
devil gives employment. There is no better
safeguard against crime and sin than occu-
patton; than having something to do. A
plck-ax and a spade are surer proven
tive of wrongdoing than legislation. 1t
is while men are idle, hanging around
drinking places, or gossiping around cor
ner groceries. that they concoct their
schemes of crime. The men whom we see
with dinner pals in their hands. in the
early morning. making their way to their
places of employment, engaged in providing
for their own; these are the men against
whom are no charges of irregular con-
duct. Nor are they lodged in the police
stations. The police do not know them.
That desperate sentiment, the world
owes me living, and living l will have,
has this clement of truth in it. The world
makes a living possible for every man If
he will earn it; if he will accept this posi-
biiity. She owes the living and she will
pay the debt to the Industrious. The places
for work in this world are almost innumer-
able, and the men who are out of work
are not usually the men who are seeking
work, but the men who are Sinking and
skulking from it. Or they want some
other work than what the world offers
them and what they can get.
The Office Seekers.
Men come to this city from all quarters
of the republic to get something to do from
the government; they have made up their
minds that they would like to be ministers
to other lands, consuls; something higher
i'll position and salary than they have ever
breast-coat pockets filled with recommend
atoms and Endorsements, and they are ailA-
iously awaiting the coming in OF that toe
which will bear them on to fortune-the
Cleveland the Bryan or the Mckinley tide.
THE best advertisement man can nave
for a better place is TO occupy-to fill the
place he occupies. so that there is no long
er room enough for such man as himself
in it, What Mr.. Webster said, There is
always room enough at the top, is still
true. Eminence in any department OF work
is so rare that some places, where eminence
is required, are always vacant.
There is a false pride as to position;
Men saw We'll my father was such and
such a man. or have studied this and
that L have graduated with such and
such honors. And it does not become
me to take anything of an inferior grade
What do you care about heredlty mere!
What you nave studied? Where you have
graduated? 1t becomes you to take any
thing YOU can get; to take possession OF IL
with your whole nature, and see what you
can make out of it. The dignity of a place
depends upon the dignity with which it Is
filed. If you are man in 1t, II is a manly
place A broomstick may be a scepter. 1t
depends upon the hand that sWays IT. A
faithful bootback, who gazes admiringly
al his own handiwork, as he gives it a
iii ishing touch, is a far more dlsni1ied
person than negligent clerk
The Mystery Explained.
There sometimes seems to be great
deal of mystery about the manner In which
some people are advanced. They always
a, near to have friends who think of them
and commend them. But the truth Is they
have made these friends by fidelity In the
trust committed to them.
IF man has nothing in him, how can
anything come out?
"A great future, great occasions, come
only to the man who has been improving
his circumstances, so as to tit himself 1or
them. His own greatness is a part OF Them.
They never come to inferior men. Inere IS
no country in the world where mans OPP
portunities to make the most of himself
are SO great as in our own. And in making
the most of himself, he prepares for the OPP
pcrtunities to come. If a man shows him.
self superior to his environments, 1t is a
loud call on his part for larger one. If he
shows himself inferior he Is required TO
step down and out. A man must grow
every year if he would keep the measure OF
his stature as the years revolve. 1t is
with the growth of man as the growth OF a
tree. Only the new growth blossoms ana
bears fruit. When a man ceases to grow
he ceases to occupy his place, for no place
remains stationary
Fidelity COmmends Them.
THE graduates of a university stand
upon the threshold OF future which they
are to take. That it will be shaped some
what according TO the manner in which
they have shaped the university work Is TO
be expected. If they have been faithful in
a few things in the class room, the world
will soon find 1t out and make them rulers
over many things. Give the people you
serve, whatever your profession, good
measure pressed down, shaken together,
running over. Even II 1t does not always
pay you at the time, 1t will pay you here
after 1t will fit you for new and greater
responsibilities"
TURKEYS TERMS OF PEACE.