The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-24

edge, the great mass of mankind
being strangely Indifferent to the study
and apprehension of their own per-
sonal endowments. Many of them &C
quire stores of knowledge of the world
about them, but remain ignorant of
their own physical and intellectual
powers. "There are some who would
do great acts; but because they wait
for great opportunities life passes, and
the acts of life are not done at ALL"
Again some will only seek for genteel
employment, utterly blind to their
qualifications and best interest.
AS the aspirant himself and those
best qualified to judge of his fitness
for particular calling, are unable to
make his choice with unerring exact
ness, there is in every case the posi-
bility that man could have done
better work and accomplished more in
some other vocation than the one he
actually selected. A man may be far
from sure what business or occupation
he ought to adopt, yet really have a
pronounced aptitude in some special
direction. In such instance, if he will
fully appreciate his own great endow-
ments, and follow the prOmptings of
his higher nature, no apparent him
drance can prevent him from attaining
happy and useful life. True, "There
is always room at the top" but the
average young man is not going to get
to the top, the majority being only of
average ability. The workingman who
has become capitalist and raised
himself above his early condition rarely
has become so through miracle or acci-
dent, but through superior intelligence
and thrift; through Drawing hardships
and infelicities.
Quite remarkable becomes the judg-
ment of acquaintances in some in
stances, as where candidate inclines
to a profession through some whim
and not from any rational considera
ton: pious lad as preacher etc., be-
guiled by dOting parents. While it
is fact that but few solve without
counsel, consciously or otherwise, more
often too much credence is placed on
such advice, which is often given with
out due consideration. Frequently
wise ones tell us that this man ought
never to enter that profession, or that
ccupatiOn-that we are "SpOiling a
good carpenter to make poor lawyer
etc. Is it for one man to say what
another shall do? Does another know
more of mans aptitude and inclina-
tions than he himself? Who knows
the latent capabilities of the young
Those vino appear timid and obtuse
now, may, under pressure of competi-
tion and opposition, develop or disclose
traits insuring the highest degree of
success. Others, fluent of speech,
quick to acquire, ready to recall and
apply, may wholly fail through lack of
some trait absolutely essential to sue
cess, though he, or his friends never
suspected he was lacking till actual
conflict disclosed the fact. Suppose he
be lacking in courage, fOrtitude or per-
sistency, which traits only appear un-
der adverse and trying circumstances.
Again these wise ones tell us that such
a trade is overcrowded; that such and
such profession is so crowded that
many adopt other vocations Herewith
in order to make an existence. Is the
evidence substantially any different in
other vOcations? Is there single Sec
ular occupation that is not distressed
with competition? Looking over the
broad field of human action in the
effort to see where your services are
most needed can you see any portion
uncultivated or unOccupied? On
farms, in commercial houses, manu-
factories, railroad plants, machine
shops, offices, retail stores, at cigar
makers trade, stonemasons, or even
street laborers, do you find any of these
employments crying in vain for labor
ers? Do you find any trade, profession
or employment that is not occupied
If so, name it. Competition is the law
of life. We are not responsible fol