Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-05-26
SEEK THE WORK
 THAT FITS YOU This Is the Advice of Dr. James Thomas to
 Seniors.
STRIVE FOR SUCCESS
After Showing That Many Fail Be. cause They Attempt That for Which They Ire Not Adapted. Minister
 Urges to Do Everything Well.

Headed by Dr. Junus Jordan and three members of the faculty, Misses Cleia Murphy Martha Angel and Willie Mae Toney, the forty-two mem bers of the 1914 graduating class of the High school marched Sunday fore noon from the school to the First Methodist church where Rev. James Thomas delivered the baccalaureate sermon.
 Make the best of your self,' was the subject of pr. Thomas, whose text was taken from the ninth chap ter of the tenth verse of EcclesiaStes ''Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work. nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou go- est"
 In a simple and yet sincere and forceful manner Rev. Thomas deliver ed his sermon to the forty-two gradu- ates. His manNer was earnest and direct, without any eloquent flow of oratory or high flown diction, yet his style in it's simplicity and sincerity was beautiful, and his words were carried home with more force by their direct address.
 Leaning forward and looking the members of the class in the eye. Rev. Thomas preached to them His words were rich in splendid advice. He told them first that they were intended to make the best of their lives. He said that to make the best of our lives re- uuired preparation and that the years in the High school were only the first stages of the preparation.
 He said the most pathetics in this world are the misfts of life. He said that the greatest trouble With our country today are the square pegs in the round holes. Many men are endeavoring, unavailing to make a success in life in occupation for which they are not fitted, tSmperamentally or by preparation. Many men, said Rev. Thomas, ''are practicing medi- cine who had better be plowing,' and vice versa.
 Failure Makes Cynics.
 The pessimists and cynics in this world are caused in many instances bv the fact that a man is trying to make a success in "a field for which he is not adapted. Many failures are caused, by an over estimation of abl- lity. Too many failures are made by men not knowing what success is. By way of illustration Rev. Thom- as cited cases where men in small towns are making marked success i'll the occupations that they were capa- ble of filling. They were enjoying happiness and prosperity and are of real benefit to mankind. And the men not realizing that they are a success, are seized by an ambition to journey to the city, Here they are out of their sphere, and the inevit- able follows. They are not capable cf taking the place in the city, they had in the smaller town. They fail, and not realizing the cause of their fail ure they become pesslmes, ana cynics, and are sour on the world in general.
 ''N do not mean for you to have ambition," said Rev. Thomas, "but be sure you know what constitutes a success. If you are mechanic strive to be successful one and just be- cause you See another fellow making a success in the practice of law, do not throw your chances to become q useful and successful citizen by try ing to fit a station or calling in life for which you are not fitted"
 Do Everything We'll.
 Rev. Thomas stressed the import ance of making success of whatever profession or occupation you choose!" If you are, going to be a pop corn pepper strive to be the best pop corn pepper in the business. If you are inclined to be farmer, by all means be farmer. More farmers are need ed in this country of ours, and there's no nobler or grander calling, than that of a man, who gets aid living from the soil.
 And don't forget character" said Rev. Thomas. Character is one of the essentials of a success and you are the moulders of your character"
 He also spoke of the noble work of the teachers" It is the most unap- preciated of professions. I do not mean that we don't of appreciate them" said Rev. Thomas, for at heart we do. but we fail to show our a2- preciation. And surely We fail 10 manifest our appreciation in ma terial way for they are every one of them underpaid. He said that the teachers have the welfare of the stu dents at heart as much, as do the par ents, and that the cafAer of each and every student is watched with heart felt interest and that they will glory in your success and sorrow in your failure"
 In conclu sion Re.'. Thomas said that the moral and spiritual quall-