The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-08-14
A WORD TO YOUNG MEN.

This old ball, on winch we live
and move and have our being" has
been sptly dubbed a stSge and human
beings the actors We all have TO
act our part-whether We reach the
goal or fall by the wayside; whether
our names be placed in the galaxy OF
the heroic, the noble and the great OF
earth, or among those who failed IN
life's race. The illustriOus Mssslllon
said "God only is great" SO far
ssinAnity'is concerned, this statement
is absolutely true-otherwise 1t is
Questionable. A man may become a
great statesman, great scholar, q
great poet, and so on. Generally
speaking man is the director OF bis
own earthly destiny, the carver of his
own greatness.
Emmerson says: "The world is
full of handsome dubious eggs called
possibilities. In other words the
world presents golden opportunities
in their rough state, and the indus
trious and ambitious young man, who
directs his efforts in their proper
channel, may polish these golden
moments into jewels of honor, fame
and wealth.
Young man, what are you going to
do with those dubious possibilities"
Life is short time is precious. The
goal Is ahead and manly, heroic eff
fort is needed to win the prize.
dubious" Will you elothe yourself
in the fascinating habiliments of self
ineredulity, sail through life on
"flowery beds of ease" and grati6ed
self complscency s mere nonentity, or
will you hoist anchor, stem the tide and
enter the conflict with Spsrtsn.like
intrepidity and strive for the goal with
afsith akin to that Of Xerxes when ne
left the Tsgus to plant the cross on
the shores of Coromsndel ? Bear in
mind that there are only two roads in
the race of life-one leads to success,
the other to failure. All may travel
the latter, but only the energetic and
the persevering can struggle along
the golden pathway Of the former.
Is it not safe to say that every sane
young man enters life's duties with a
desire to succeed, and misdireeted eff
forts have wrought myrisds of fail
ures9
The first indispensable essential to
success, young man, is to know
yourself and to have faith
in yourself. Gods best bene-
dictions do not rest upon puny and
incredulous efforts. You must dis
cover what you have talent for, and
then, with faith in God and faith in
yourself, with logged and persistent
determination. pull off your coat and
roll up your sleeves and go to work to
develop that talent and success will
certainly attend your efforts. Cast
away the word "can't;" believe in
yourself, believe in the Eternal, be-
lieve in the splendid possibilities of
life. for heroic faith gives fxity to
resolve, meaning to life and stability
to character.
Then there must be enthusiasm.
Having discovered what you are best
fitted to accomplish, you must enter
the race with earnest enthusiasm you
must be in full accord and sympathy
with your chosen labor. Headpower
needs heart-power to give it proper
fabrication. Happy is the man."
says Eggleston, "to whom the voice
OF love and duty are the same" You
will never succeed at any calling for
which you have neither talent nor
love.
There is no compromise ground in
the battle OF life. A man must he
either o success or q failure. The
history Of successful men reveals the
fact that they were men who placed
an object before them in life and
wrought with might and main to reach
the goal.
Young man. this is an age of glori.
Gus possibilities. What part will you
perform in the drama of life 7 Shall |
it be one Of earnest toll and honor, or
Of Incidence, vice and shame. The |
question is with you you are the |
architect of your mortal destiny. |
Enter the race with manly endeavor
and heroic determination guard we'll |
your habits and your associates; keep |
your eyes constantly on the goa, relax
not your efforts, and truly will the
following words Of the poet be an sp.
propriate epitsph for you:
''some divinely gifted man,
Whose life 10 low estate began,
And on q simple village green.
Who makes by faith his merit known,
And lives TO clutch the golden keys
To mould q mighty States DEGREES,
And shape the whisper Of throne.
And. moving up from high to higher,