Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-09-18

jungle.
II this fact be .true-and it is true
where can a better moral code be found
than that written between the covers
OF the Holy Bible2 Where is there
book which can better inspire one to
tell the truth and be honest I'm his tinan-
cial dealingsl Where is there one that
Will better build up such a character as
viii make the banker trust the mans
note and employers feel that his hand
Is honest and not that OF thief?
SATAN" once said John Knox. cannot
prevail against a man whose left hand
bears n light TO illuminate his sight
when he searches the Scriptures in the
hours of the night" Is not this true In
reference TO all honorable lines OF bust
ness? Alexander Pope's most famous
poetical line is, IAN honest mans the
noblest work Of God" How can a man
be made truly honest sooner than
through the constant absorption OF the
Scriptures?
The Young Mans Safeguard.
The Bible is the greatest safeguard q
young man can have. Some time ago
an old soldier showed me a mutilatej
Bible. He had carried that book next
TO his heart all through the civil war.
In one battle, however, a bullet from
an enemy's rife tore Its way three
fourths through the leaves of that book
before 1t was halted in its deadly mis-
sion. That Bible saved that soldiers
life ia q physical sense. But In q spir-
itual sense the word OF God can stop
the onrush OF every Satanic arrow.
That book can be breastplate as well
as moral compass. 1t viii teach us,
no matter what the crisis OF life may
be, to do as Jesus would have us do. II
will teach us the great lesson which
Charles Sheldon's book tried to- teach.
to follow elm his steps"
Granting, then. that each nearer sit
ting before me has accepted the Bible
as his guide against temptation, the
next great step forward In the right
start in life is for every young man to
take the first honorable position which
he can get and not wait for what he
wants and cannot get. Likes and dis
likes may be very important factors I'm
young mans decision when he has
two or three different positions offered
to him. But in most cases with a
young man he does not have a choice.
When he leaves school or college sin
gle opportunity arises generally in a
very humble sphere. Then he must
take that and go ahead with full steam
on and not hang around waiting for
something else TO arise.
welcome Opportunity.
God nRVpr on lie man IN ba
cannot get. Bishop Potter, think IL
was. once made this very wise saying:
"Our best thoughts are those which
seek us and not those which we seek"
Gods opportunities I'm the same way
are those which seek us when we are
at work Christ called to Peter and
Andrew when they were laboring at
their nets. Our best opportunities are
not those after which VIC are running
around, neglecting the pressing duties
at hand. They are the horny hands of
toll which II necessary are Just as
willing TO firmly grip the handle of a
plow as TO WELD q pen or unsheath n
glittering sword. Gods messengers of
temporal and spiritual success some
times appear attired in the rough gar
ments OF n laborer instead OF being COW
cred with the white robes OF corona
ton. When Abraham sat at the door OF
his tent and welcomed the three dust
stained travellers he thought they were
common men. When the guests left
they revealed themselves as angelic
ambassadors God sometimes sends his
greatest opportunities clothed In home
spin. We had better grasp as a friend
each opportunity that comes. We must
welcome it with full welcome, no mat
ter how humbly II may knock at our
doors.
Russell Conwcl's greatest lecture IN
founded upon this idea. His Acres Of
Diamonds" draws its inspiration from
an eastern legend. An oriental farmer
was one day shown beautiful dia-
mond by passing traveller. In order
to find such a diamond this farmer sold
his farm and went forth on an endless
search. He sought Ii through youth
and middle age and far into old age.
Like the Wandering Jew, he had no
home. he was constantly on the move.
Finally, after many years Of fruitless
search, he returned to the home OF his
childhood. There he found that the
Golconda mines We're upon his former
property. There were literally '.acres
OF diamonds" under his feet. SO young
men turn their backs upon Their best
opportunities in the hope of finding
greater opportunities far of. Young
men about TO start In life. take what
you can get. Grasp the position which
Is nearest at hand and I'LL 1t. Cease
to dream about air castles and get
down in the mud and dirt and build
foundations OF solid stone and mortar.
do not do as Ahimaaz did. Run no
foolish race when you have no message
to carry and your business IL to stay at
home and clean camp.
Reward Of True Service.
Advice the next: After you have
accepted the honest position make
your employers interest your interest.
What shall i do that shall benefit N.Y.
selfT' Is the maxim Of failure. what
shall do that shall beneft my en-
ployerr Is the maxim OF success. Sue
cess does not always, as a bee. fly in q
straight line for its hive. Success, like
an Australians boomerang, nearly al
ways goes in a circle. That circle may
widen out and out and out. larger and
larger, but after awhile the boomerang
may be made TO come back to the
place where it started. When man
serves bis employer best, then he will
ind that the best rewards shall be
placed at his own door
True service always brings its wight
reward. This fact was well illustrated
in conversation / had with one of
the most distinguished ministers of
the world now living. One day he
placed his hand upon my shoulder and
said, Frank, the best way to attract
the attention of the world to your
worth is 10 fill to the best OF your abil-
ity the position to which God has
called YOU" Fer some years / was
very much dissatisfied with a church
in which at that time l was laboring.
felt could not do myself justice In
that Held. / wrote to- John l., WITH