The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-09

Ward Beeeher to his son contains in
brief the philosophy OF asuecessfGl life.
The preeepts are sound and in their
terse vigor cannot fail to impress deep
ly the receptive mind Of youth and. il
followed, will make an honorable aud
successful min.
BROOKLYN, y. Y, Oct IS, ls7s.
My Dear Herbert: You are now for
the first time really launched into life
for yourself. You go srOm your fathers
house, and from all family connections,
to make a new start, to cast out faults
Of whose evil you have had an expert
ence, and to take on habits the want
Of which you have found to be damsg-
ing.
/. You must not 90 into debt. Avoid
debt as you would the devil. Make It
a fundamental rule: No debt-cash or
nothing.
?. Make few promises. Religiously
observe even the smallest promise. A
man who means to keep his promises
cannot afford to make many.
3. Be serapulOusly careful in all
statements. Accuracy and perfect
frankness, no guesswOrk. Either moth
ing cFaoeurate truth.
4. When working for others sink
yourself out of sight, seek their interest.
Make yourself necessary to those who
employ you, by industry, fidelity and
scrupulOus integrity. Selfishness is
fatal.
5. Hold yourself responsible for q
higher standard than anybody else ex-
poets of you. Keep your personal stand
ard high. Never excuse yourself to
yourself. Never pity yourself Be
hard master to yourself, but he lenient
to everybody else
8. Concentrate your force on your
own proper business; do not turn OFF.
Be constant, steadfast, persevering.
:. 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 land where everybody is sexcited
and strives to make money, suddenly,
largely and without working for il.
They blow soap-bubbles. Steady, pa
tient industry is both the sur,st and
safest way. Greediness and haste are
two devils that destroy thousands every
year.
9. In regard to Mr.. B., he is a
Southern gentleman; he is receiving
you as a favor to me; do not let him re-
gret it.
10. 1 beseech you to correct one fault
severe speech of others; never speak
evil of any man, no matter what the
facts may be. Hasfy fault-finding, and
severe speech of absent peop'e, is not
honorable, is apt TO be uni Ist aud cruel,
makes enemies to yourself, and IS
wicked.
II. 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 of cattle, sheep, the culture of
wheat, the climate. country, manners
and customs, and a hundred things,
that will be needful.
Il. If by integrity, industry and
well-earned success you deserve well Of
your fellOw-ciiizens, they may, in years
10 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 " ur
fathers name known with honor in
halls of legislation. Lastly, do not
forget your fathers aud your mothers
God. Because you will be largely d.
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 condeseend to men Of
low estate"
Read often the Proverbs, the preeepts
enjOined in the New Testament. May
your fathers God go with you and pro-
tect you. HENRY WARD BEECHER.