The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1898-06-11
THE CHOICE OF OUR LIFE'S WORK.
BY MARY LOUISE BENNETT.


ment exercises of the Neihart High
School, May 27, 1S0S.)
"Nor idle I, who speak it. nor profane
This playful wisdom growing out of pain
How many midnights whitcn'd into morn
Before the seeker knew he sought in vain.
You want to know the secret--so did l.,
Low in the dust sought it and on high
Sought it in awful flight from star to
star.
"Up, up where Parrins' hoof stamp heav-
ems floor
My soul went knocking at each starry
door,
Till on the Silly top of heavens stair
Clear-eyed looked and laughed and
climbed no more"
The choice of our life's work requires
just consideration and earnest study.
may well call the time Of choice the
"critical period" A wise choice is the
open door to useful and successful
future. Many a poor creature is now
crawling through life, a source of sor-
row to Others, who might have lifted his
head and prospered had he but chosen
the right road. These hapless. victims,
whom we meet in every community,
wander helplessly from place to place
some struggle bravely on only to find
that the choice was not suited to their
abilities. thus, thousands Of human
lives are rendered useless
Everyone who has chosen wisely can
do better at his own vocation than at
that of another.
nest; so is the man that wandereth from
his place." are the words of wise man.
Distant fields may seem green but pco-
pie should think earnestly and persist
emily before they abandon what may be
the very place intended for them.
We, in America, seldom choose the
work of our lives, before our college
years, that is before the age of seven.
teen. AT this time we are sufficiently
acquainted with the various employ
ments to develop a strong liking fol
one profession and dislike for the 9th
ers. These likings or tendencies should
be well needed as sometimes they arc
imperative calls to a profession in life
1t is often wise to wait until the college
studies are completed as tisen the tastes
are fully developed.
1t has been said that "a decisive
movement comes into the life of every
person when his whole future fate de.
pends upon whether he chooses the patti
he would follow or not" He who lets
that moment slip, ruins his life. As
Shakespeare has said: There is a tide
in the affairs of men, which taken at the
flood lead on to fortune"
From every point of view it is certain.
ly not wise to defer the choice Of call
ing for too long time But more es-
pecially is it not wise to make the
choice too early. 1t is better 30 wait
until broad foundation for profess
ional life is laid. The broader and
deeper the foundation, the more secure
the edifice.
To us who stand on the threshold OF
the great work k-shop of the world, ready
to assume our duties therein, it becomes
serious and urgent consideration what
kind of a situation we are to accept in
it.
1t is often very difficult to choose oul
life work. For the choice may lie in
two or more directions. The leading
astronomer of this country, is also po.
litical economist of eminent authority
| If such one were asked to define his nat.
ural bent, he might find the question
hard to answer. Perhaps the essential
is to realize the necessity of having def
mite work TO do. Some escape the re-
sponsibility of choosing profession
But for his own interest and happiness
no one can afford to neglect so import.
ant duty.
Young people of whatever station il
| life should strive to make for them.
selves an opening in the ranks of EN-.
ployment. And if there be no trade ol
profession suited to their natural tend
encies let them carve an opening in the
now recognized channels of profession.
al or domestic activity.
1t is wise and righteous prcccpt to
teach young person that there is nc
class of honest labor which is really he.
meath him. 1t may or may not be the
work to which he is called. But lei
him not despise it, For what is often
mistaken for natural tendency is moth
ing more or less than inordinate lazi-
ness. And earnest, honest toll should
be the proudest of young PERSONS ef-
forts. The grocer is honorable equally
to the lawyer; the tailor to the soldier
and the miner to the banker.
The question which comes before ev-
cry one at the time of choice is: ''Whai
am fit for?" This question is easier
r..