Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-06
selectine one,s Life work.

Our schools. colleges and universe
ties are as busy as can be. turning
out graduates. who have received GER
tifcates Of scholarship. greater or less.
which stand for completed educations.
so-caIled-
They are pronounced ripe and ready
for business. especially in the line Of
literature.
How many thousands have been
granted diplomas or certificates per-
haps no man has tried TO number this
year. but their name Is legion. Whethe r
these diplomas or school certificates
tell the truth il not TO be considered at
MS writing We will take IL for
granted that they make a fair exhib-
& OF the possessors qualifications
The next question. and one that APP
peals 10 every one OF these graduates
who expects TO make a living. or make
a name. or even reflect credit on their
Alma Mater. is the following: What
can I 10 with this equipment" How
can make Il pay meT'
There are some endowed with genius
who have pronounced leanings towards
some particular business. or calling. 1t
Is therefore easy and natural that
they should be prompt and ready for
their chosen work Probably there Is
no artist living who did not have
strong predilections IN that way long
before his OF her education was pro-
nounced complete. a talent for music
will make itself known in the child. A
taste for various things will crop out
early, and the boy who loves 10 use
tools has his calling pointed out for
him
But there are scores. aye. hundreds
and thousands, who stand stock still
waiting like Mulberry Sellers. for some
thing TO turn up. They meander about,
unless they conclude 10 teach or may
be preach awhile Some enjoy help or
influence enough 10 so to the study 81
law or Medicine, with somebody willing
20 feed, clOthe and house them until
they get into practice on these lines.
II they are determined 10 succeed.
they will get there" but they must
develop interest in the undertaking.
even devotion. otherwise they will have
small success
There is a proneness TO preaching.
because OF fits manifest advantages at
the start A minister Is universally
supposed to be a good man until he
forfeits the respect OF the community.
His calling gives him the entree into
many homes that are otherwise exclu-
sive. We must criticise the tendency
20 follow creeds-or leaders-although
and honorable one. II entered upon and
pursued in the right spirit Where a
preacher IS sensible. serious. thought
fui. eager 20 do good. he should be at
liberty 20 preach what he really be-
neves. and sincere preachers have an
opportunity for beautiful refinement in
character and spirituality OF mind
that pertains 10 no other calling. nut
we all know that there are ambitious
men who enter the ministry for the
promotion and financial success that
goes with tn-, calling They make a
secular profession of the pulpit
And IL is a wonder that the most
OF them are not spoiled by the cod
ding Il couldn't ind a more express
sfve term) that tne preacher gets from
an average conSreEaIion. As a rule.
he will accent any donation that any
body will offer him. and that impairs
his Independence OF thought and char
acter.
Very few teachers make their voca-
ton a serious study. They will gener-
ally teach until something that pays
better comes along The great major-
fty OF teachers are women. They will
teach faithfully until there is n chance
for matrimony with n fine financial out
look
To be n teacher o. a preacher in the
highest acceptation Of either term
mears close. persistent. devotion to tre
caning-a life work Of study and