Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1877 — A Boy’s Way to Success. [ARTICLE]

A Boy’s Way to Success.

Every boy wishes to be successful; and he thinks if he only could And a sure road to success in any undertaking, he would not hesitate to enter it. It is the fear of failure at the last that keeps many from pushing on. There are three qualities that will insure success in any walk in life, namely, ability, integrity and industry; and though it might seem as if the first of these must be a gift and cannot be cultivated, you will find it is a fact that every boy has ability, if he only finds out in which line of study or action it lies. Ability is the power of doing a thing well. A boy should learn early that he cannot have ability in everything; that is, few boys have a great deal of general ability. The first rule should be that “ whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.” A boy who does his best in whatever he undertakes will soon find his efforts meet with most marked success; and having discovered that, let him bend all his energies to be first in that particular branch of study or work. Better be a first-class carpenter than a fourth-rate lawyer; a good machinist than a poor doctor. Bat many hoys cannot judge oi their own abilities, and the father, who should study his sou’s peculiar temperament and characteristics, gives them little thought Don’t give it up; choose your associates among those who aim Jhigh, not as to money or social standing; Dqt as to learning and earnest Christian living. A boy should have, at least, one friend several years his senior, who can guide him as to a choice ot what branch of work or study to set his best efforts to. He will, byearnest endeavor, gain ability; but let him guard well his integrity. This i more than truthfulness; it is whole-heart-edness. A boy of integrity is like a stout, staunch ship, sailing through the ocean; the waves may sway her from side to side, but she remains whole and firm. Bovs, make up your minds to be true. If you have deceived, say so to yourself, and say, “By God’s help, I’ll stop short from this very day. I must earn an honorable name, and 1 will,” and at whatever cost to youjfeelf, be true; let no temptation spring a leak in your heart. Now about industry. A boy with good ability and integrity, fi-sen if he is rather lazy and shiftless, will perhaps get along, but what opportunities lost for usefulness! Boys, remember that the most successful men have been the most industrious. It is easy to point out some rich man and say, “He begun as a poor boy.” Yes, but he worked hard, year in and year out. One word about this industry. Don’t let it be simply being industrious to be rich. Aim higher than riches. Store your mind with gleanings from the best writers, cultivate a taste for reading, and let the success at which you aim be the approval of a good conscience. Riches are not to be despised; but it is only when they are united to learning and religion that they are to be envied. I wish boys would realize more that every little event of their boyhood is shaping their future character. The boy who is anxious to understand perfectly what he learns, than to appear to make great progress, who cares more for acquiring knowledge than to shine as a student, will be a man of more ability and integrity than one who cares for the mere surface show. — Hope Ledyard, in SundaySchool Times.