The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-21
rHE SEASONS HERE WHEN THE
YOUTHFUL ORATOR SpOUTS.
BY REV. r.. II. WHITAKER.

Z 7
out for inspection, by the boys at
school, who, as did thl boys of my
day, think it's an evidence of classic
erudition for one to appear to be on
familiar terms with those old time
heroes. And the old heather philOsO-
pliers, statesmen and sages, who have
had year rest, are being walked up
to give their opinions concerning ques-
tions which the boys are making us
believe are very new and vital ones,
but which, in reality, are the same old
straws the world has been threshing
ever since the law was given at Sinai.
Solomon said. There is nothing new
under the SUM-" which is as true now
as then, if he alluded to creation; but,
if he were living now he'd be obliged
to admit, that while in the natural
world there have not been many
changes, and no additions, there have
been wonderful discoveries and inven-
tons, which have reVolutionized the
old world, with which Solomon was
acquainted; and were he allowed to
come back to earth, and see things as
they are, he would be as much aston
ished, as was the queen of Sheba, after
seeing the glory of Jerusalem and the
pomp and splendor of his surround
ings.
Yes We are right in the midst of
commandments, and soon scores OF
boys and girls, who have been looking
forward TO the day of graduation, vii.
say their speeches and read their es-
says, receive their bouquets and their
diplomas, and stepping down from.
the rostrum, will be congratulated by
their friends and then, what?
If, to the graduates, life could be
made as smooth and as pleasant as
the school days, what a happy time
a mt a - to-
come all the disappointments, yexa-
tons and hardships, SO, that, what, to
the graduate, is the most delightful
event of his or her life, is in fact, but
the beginning of a great conflict, the
result and end of which, happily, they
cannot foresee.
l don't know that | shall attend any
Of the commandments; but, | wish
my young friends to understand that
my absence will be no evidence of in
difference, or lack of concern for their
present or future happiness. On the
contrary, | wish them all WE'LL and
had l the time, I'd like to attend every
commencement and participate in the
festivities, so dear to the young peo-
pie, now, as in other days.
To be a graduate-have a diploma
and have degrees conferred upon one
ought to put him in the lead, among
HIS IellOWi men, less fortunate. But,
some of our greatest men never grad
uated, but went forth into the conflict
from the old field schools, and worked
up, instead of down, as too many
graduates do. who think, Or seem to
think, that the zenith is reached when
the diploma is presented.
1t is not every one that knows what
to do with an education. Some peo-
pie don't know what to do with
money. Give them thousands of dol
lars and they'll soon have none. On
the other hand, give a fellow a nickle,
and, almost before you know it, he'll
be director in a bank. A young
man began business in this city, a
great many years ago on stock that
could have been bought for ten dol
lars. He kept on increasing his stock
and selling until he got few hundred
dollars ahead; and, so, he concluded
that he'd go to Baltimore and buy a
stock of groceries and varieties The
Baltimore merchant from whom he
bought his goods, saw that, while he
didn't have much money, he had a
sight of good common sense; and,
drawing him out, into conversation,
he got the whole story of the little
beginning Of the young man and his
rise from a ten dollar stock to q few
dollars, in solid cash. Aston
ished at the young merchants success
the Baltimore man asked him what
per cent he made on his goods.
Dashed if I know" said the young
when l pay a cent for a
thing / sell it for two cents; and when
/ pay dollar, / sell it for two dollars
but I couldn't tell you, if / was going
to be roasted alive, what per cent /
make"
You'll do" said the Baltimore
man, "and IN credit you for as many
more goods as you pay cash for" And
he did.
So, it frequently turns out in the
case of young men who start with
little or no education. OF course, they
are at a heavy disadvantage; but, if
like the young Raleigh merchant, they
go on doubling what they have picked
up, it may turn out as it has in manH
cases, that the illiterate boys will no.
only catch UP with, but, pass the grad
uate, who presuming upon the pos
session of a piece of parchment, is
dwarfing instead of expanding.
No, some people don't know what tc
do with their education-don't know
how to make it yield a dividend fol
their own or any one else's benefit
They seem to think that education i.
intended to fit them for higher enjoy.
ment, only, and not for usefulness a.
citizens and the elevation of humanity
| knew a man who educated him.
self, whose start in life was SO un
promising, no one could have supposed
it was possible for him ever to riss
higher than a common laborer. O
course l did not know him when
boy; but, ] saw him, many times, after
he had attained to age and eminence
and, looking up to him, as one of the
best equipped men of his day and
seeing how he could, not only measure
up with, but, even surpass, men who
had, from their child life, enjoyed the
very best advantages, l wondered how
ID was. The explanation was, he grew
all the time, making what he learned
one day contribute to the success o.
the next
It's too often the case, when gradu-
ates go home, for them to pack awaN
their books bury them out of sight
soon forgetting them and all they con
tain.
That's very. natural however. The |
student thinks he needs relaXation-a
rest from the hard lessons he has ha(
to master; and. so, he closes out
shuts up shop and goes forth to havl
a good time.
Yes. these are commencement times
and it may be that the future Govern
Or of (taTp1ioa IL