Year: 1879

The first great lesson a young man


should learn is, that he knows nothing.


The earlier and more thoroughly this


lesson is learnt, the better. A home


bred youth, growing up in the light of


parental admiration, with everything to
foster his vanity and self-esteem, is sur


prised to find, and often unwilling to
acknowledge, the superiority of other
people. But he is compelled to learn his
insignihCance his arts are ridiCuled, his


blunders exposed, his wishes disregard
ed, and he Is made to cut a very sorry
figure, until his selfCOnceit is abased,
and he feels that he knows nothing.


When a young man has thoroughly
cOmprehended the fact that he knows
nothing, and that, intrinsically, he Is but
of little value, the next lesson is, that
the world cares nothing for him. He is
the subject of no mans overwhelming
admiration neither petted by the one
sex, nor envied by the other, he has to
take care of himself He will not be
noticed till he becomes noticeable; he
will not become noticeable until he does
something to prove that he is Of some
use to society. No recommendation or
introduction will give him this, or ought
to give him this; he must do something
to be recognized as somebody. There is


plenty of room for men in the world, but
there is no room for idlers. Society is
not very particular what man does, so
long as he does something useful, to
prove himself to be a man; but 1t Will
not take the matter on trust.


There is no sUrer sign Of an unmanly
and cOWardly spirit. than a vague desire
for help-a wish to depend, to lean on
somebody, and enjoy the fruits of other
peoples industry. There are multitudes
of young men who indulge in dreams of
help from some quarter, coming IN at
convenient moment, to enable them to
secure the success in life which they
cOvet. Thus, one of the most painful
sights in the world, is that of young
man with q strong constitution and a
presentable figure, standing with his
hands in his pockets longing for help.
There are positions in which the most
Independent spirit may gracefully and
gratefully accept assistance-may, in
fact, as a choice of evils, desire it; but
for a man who is able to help himself to
seek help from others, is positive proof
that he has been unfortunately trained,
and that an indolent bias exists in his
character. Let us not be misunderstood.
We would not inculcate the pride Of
personal independence, which, in its
sensitiveness, repels the good offices of
friends. What we condemn in Il young
man is the habit of dependence which
makes him anxious to accept as a favor,
those things which he might readily ac-
quire by his own industrial exertions. A
man who willingly receives assistance,
especially if he has applied for it, inva-
Tiably sells himself to his benefactOr,
unless his patron happens to be a man
of sense, who is giving absolutely nee
essary assistance to one whom he knows
to be both sensitive and honorable.


When a young man has ascertained
the fact that he knows nothing, and that
the world cares nothing about him, that
his success in life must depend on his
own eXeriOns, and that he must look to
andnOt to others, for assistance,
he is in a fair position for beginning life.
The next lesson is that of patience. a
man must learn to wait as well as TO
work; and to be content with those
means of advancement in life which we
may use with integrity and honor.
Patience is one of the most difficult
lessons to learn. 1t is natural for the
mind to look for immediate results. Let
this, then, be understood at starting
that the patient conquest of difficulties
which rise in the regular and legitimate
channels of business and enterprise is
not only essential in securing the success
which a young man seeks in life, but
essential also to that preparation Of the
mind requisite for the enjoyment of
success, and for retaining them when
gained. 1t is the general rule, in all the
world, and in all times, that unearned
success is a curse.


1t is a rule also that the process of
earning success shall be the preparation
for its conservation and enjoyment. So,
DAY by day, and week by weeK-so,
month after month, and year after year.
work. on; and in that process gain
strength and symmetry, nerve and
knowledge, that when success, bravery
and patiently acquired, shall be yours,
it shall find you prepared to receive and
10 keep it. The development of all your
mental and moral qualities in the brave
battles of life will amply reward you
or the struggle. 1t will help to make
nan of you, and give you not only self
respect, but the respect Of your fellows
md the public.