The road to success : a book for boys and young men

Front matter

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Preface

We have quoted from the following sources, viz : Statements from articles in The Christian World, Dayton, Ohio ; " The Little Boy's Reasons," from Youth's Temperance Banner; the quotations in reference to Col. T. A. Scott, from York Daily; statements in reference to Dr. J. Prideaux, from The American Messenger; several historical facts from R. M. Devens ; part of a page is quoted from the well-known author, R. Sears. A number of the quotations given to illustrate and confirm our statements, are from the pen of Dr. H. Harbaugh, in The Guardian. The last piece of poetry is from the New England Journal of Education. We have also quoted from the Reformed Messenger, published in Philadelphia.

CHAPTER I.— Introductory. Page 5

CHAPTER II.— Health.— Boyhood.— The Boy Father to the Man.— Principles of the Boy will Develop. 12

CHAPTER III.— Encouragement.— The Future.— Prosperity Comes by Effort and Toil.— Much in Store for You. —Begin to Pluck. 25

CHAPTER IV.— Associates and Books. * 35

CHAPTER V.— Be Trustworthy.— Be Honest. 41

CHAPTER VI.— Self-Made Men. 49

CHAPTER VII.— Be Economical and Obliging.— Give Due Attention to Cleanliness. — Honor Your Parents. 56

CHAPTER VIII.— Country Boys.— Important Factors. — Will Figure in Our Future History.— Will be Heard From. — Rev. G. W. Galaudet's Inquiry. Illustrative Examples. 63 CHAPTER IX.— To the Country.— Nature.— Its Lessons. 82 CHAPTER X.— Set Your Mark High.— Make Your Best Efforts to Reach it. — Despise Not the Day of Small Days. —Sentenced to Death. 87

CHAPTER XL— Choice of Occupation. 126

CHAPTER XIII. — Avoid the Leaks that Drain the Purses of the Multitude. 143

CHAPTER XIV.— The Indolent Boy. 161

CHAPTER XV.— Late Hours at Night. 165

CHAPTER XVI.— Success Depends on Vigorous, Persevering, Well- Directed Effort. 171 CHAPTER XVII.— Labor and Capital. 177 CHAPTER XVIIL— The Bible.— Its Opening Doctrines. —Faith— The Golden Rule.— True Merit Valued by All. 188 CHAPTER XIX.— Practical Suggestions. 197 CHAPTER XX.— Reverence God.— Show Due Respect for Things Sacred. 209

CHAPTER XXI.— The Work of Life Accomplished Step by Step.— Little by Little. 211

CHAPTER XXII.— The Two Roads.— The Right and the Wrong. 218

CHAPTER XXIII.— Sin.— Its Consequences.— Its Remedy. 226 CHAPTER XXIV.— Religion.— How to Seek God. 233

CHAPTER I.

The writer comes before you, young reader, without any formal introduction. I trust, however, we shall not travel together long before we shall become sufficiently well acquainted to render each other's company agreeable. I know there is "no end to books." They are cheap, and gotten up in good taste. Many of them are written in the most pleasing and entertaining style. Hence their perusal, independent of their merits, becomes certain. The book now in your hand may not be so fascinating in style as some other books you have read. It does not abound in sharp witticisms, touching humor and sparkling gems. But it comes to you with an earnest message drawn from the Bible, experience, history and -observation. The Bible has been my most valuable companion in life. Experience has taught me many important lessons that I could not have learned from books. My observation of the conduct of the young, through the days of boyhood and youth, has furnished me with much material used in the production of this little book. The lessons I have learned from these sources have been most favorable in their results in my own history. I am the more zealous, therefore, to use them, together with such other hints and suggestions as b INTRODUCTORY.

may present themselves to my mind, for the benefit of the young. My object is to benefit, rather than to amuse the reader. Hence I shall try to be plain in style and simple in method. The thirst for knowledge felt by boys and young men must be satisfied. They want books on a variety of subjects. They will buy and read them. In their fiery zeal for the increase of knowledge they reach out in every direction to obtain it. You wish to gather such knowledge as will be useful to you, and enable you the more successfully to meet the emergencies of life before you.

Hence I trust the little messenger in your hands, coming to you with kindly greetings, will meet with a hearty welcome. His mission to you is a mission of love. He does not come to lord authority over you, but wishes to extend to you the helping hand of friendly counsel. He does not come to you in gaudy attire, but in plain apparel. His message is not imaginary, but practical. It has to do with the stern realities of every day life. Its object is to furnish you with the weapons necessary to successfully fight the battle of life. It also contains instructions for their use. These have been suggested by what has been seen, experienced and noticed in the conduct of others.

Having been in the school of observation more than half a century, I will try to bring forward things new and old, which I hope will be interesting and profitable to you. From them you will learn why it is that some persons succeed so well in what they undertake, and why others fail in all their enterprises.

Success depends much on natural talent. No matter how great the hinderances in the way, native power will develop itself in some form or other, and make itself felt. But very often for want of a manly nobility of purpose and principle, it degenerates and leads its possessors into by-paths of vice and crime.

Ordinary gifts require a greater degree of energy and more persevering application. Hence persons of inferior talents find it necessary to axert themselves the more vigorously, in order to make their way. These are likely to value their attainments, and to turn them to the best uses they can. By doing this they rise above others of superior talents and become distinguished as artists, statesmen and benefactors of their fellow-men. In my effort to show and illustrate the preceding, I will first call your attention to the period of life through which you are now passing. Some of the things I shall advance will apply to boys only, whilst the greater part will apply to young men also, with equal or greater force. The reader will be able to make the proper application.

In entering on the work before us, we must not forget the present. It is the period in your history that will weaken or strengthen you in whatever of good or evil there may be in you. You are imbibing principles and experiencing tendencies that will develop and become permanent in the formation of character. This formative period in your life involves progress, as well an many changes. Hence it is of the utmost importance that you now adopt right principles, and earnestly strive to carry them into practice. The present should be the time for improvement on the past. This is expected of you. As you advance in years and increase in knowledge, you should constantly strive to become more manly and reliable in your deportment. The influences from abroad that would mislead you, must be resisted. You possess the will-power necessary to resist temptation. Use it in favor of that which is becoming and right. Your parents, guardians and friends take an interest in you. They see the dangers to which you are exposed more fully than you do. Heed their good counsel. Consider well what they say. The relations you sustain to others, the influences brought to bear on you from abroad and at home, constitute a mould that will have much to do with the formation of your character.

The proper consideration of these facts should stimulate you carefully to choose the right and resist the wrong at every step. This will give you an advantage in the start that will be a help to you all the way through life.

The young are likely to be misled by placing too much confidence in the suggestions and opinions of others. It is well enough to listen to the advice of the aged and more intelligent. Their experience and knowledge of things qualify them to impart good counsel. Bat it is not safe to follow the miserable suggestions and dictates of the ignorant and inexperienced, however honest and upright they may be. " Good meaning" people are not necessarily good and safe guides to the young. Their ignorance, prejudices and consequent errors, both in reference to temporal and spiritual things, in most cases disqualify them to lead and direct others. Hence it becomes a matter of no small importance to the young to adopt a manly independence of thought and the exercise of an uubiased judgment. If dependent on the suggestions and dictates of others, one can at best go on stilts only, and is constantly in danger of falling. Hence do your own thinking. Use the logic of common good sense. Form your own conclusions, and you will do well.

Do not wrap yourself up in the popish idea of selfinfallibility. Xever forget that there is always room for an increase of light and knowledge. Seek the truth. When you have found it, hold fast to it. Turn it to practical use. 2

Whilst under age, obedient to parents and guardians, you do not act on your own responsibility. You are dependent on them and subject to their authority. Their age, knowledge and experience qualify them to be placed over you. It was not designed, however, to keep you in this state of dependence. As your knowledge increases, your experience enlarges and your judgment matures, you will use the age of majority, when you will become free. Now you will be at liberty to start out and make your way in the world as best you can. You now realize a sense of responsibility unknown to you before. If successful, you will know whom to give the credit for it. If defeated, you will know whom to blame. A consciousness of this will inspire a feeling of manly independence and personal responsibility.

A young man who engages in business of any kind should not venture out too far at the start. Many make this mistake. They risk and lose their all. Better than become involved in pecuniary difficulties, or risk too much, do business on a more limited scale. Unfortunately too many among the young have a contempt for the day of small things. To step on the lower rung of the ladder is too humiliating to them. To live in an humble home, with no more furniture and household goods than are necessary for comfort, looks too much like poverty. They cannot endure it. It wounds their pride. Hence the more costly furniture, and many articles not necessary for comfort, are purchased to keep up appearances. Persons who adopt this policy, not having the funds necessary to begin "in style," soon find themselves involved to such an extent as really to become embarrassed in their'business. The wiser and better policy in all cases is to consult one's means and circumstances, and then to live accordingly. This is a most important matter — a lesson ever} 7 one should learn. If you fail to learn and practise it, you will be likely to fail in all your undertakings.

Those who carefully start out in life, determined at all times to adopt such style of living as is consistent with their means, are most likely to succeed. The economy they adopt will help them through the most trying circumstances of life in an honest and hopeful way. As they succeed, they can enlarge their business and increase their gains. As their gains will increase, the comforts and luxuries of life they could not afford at first will now be so much the more enjoyed.

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Health.-Boyhood.-"The Boy Father to the Man." Principles of the Boy Will Develop.

Proper attention to the promotion of health, first of all, claims your attention. Your bodies must not be overlooked nor neglected. You should not expose yourselves unnecessarily to the inclemency of the weather, or any other source of danger to health. A weak, sickly body is a great impediment in the way to one's success. It is like a broken, leaky roof, which subjects everything in the house to injury. It not only subjects to pain and misery, but also hinders the mind from filling its mission. It depresses the soul and weakens the intellect. In many cases the disadvantages brought on by ill health have embittered life; have caused it to become a burden, and in some cases have induced persons to commit suicide. If you would ward off these, you must so live, in the practise of temperate habits, as that your health will be preserved. You must have considerable exercise in the open air. You not only need food, but it should be nourishing, healthful food. Excesses in lifting, running, jumping, <fec, should be carefully avoided.

Carelessness is one of the leading causes of danger to which the young are exposed. A boy attempts to jump from a train whilst in motion. He falls, gets under the wheels, and has a hand or foot crushed. A second 'hastens to the river to bathe. Whilst in a state of perspiration he casts himself into the water, and* takes the cramp or becomes subject to rheumatism to the end of* life. By guarding against these and other causes of danger to good health, disease and suffering will not become a source of trouble to you. Good health may be enjoyed with all its blessings, with few interruptions, to the end of life. Boyhood is a very important period of life. Possibly you are so much occupied by your earnest aspirations to look into the future, as to be too forgetful of the present and its great significance. This would be unfortunate, as your success in the future will depend in a great measure on the right improvement of the present. The days of youth are full of joyous play and amusements. They are like the beautiful sunshine in the early morning. The bright sun in the clear sky may become brighter and warmer as the day advances. Prosperity may sweetly smile on you, your efforts succeed, and life become a joy and a delight. Friends will then be numerous, means become abundant, and all other things necessary to make life pleasant and agreeable, will be at hand. Or the opposite, possibly, may be your lot. Your days may become gloomy. You may be chilled and disappointed in all your expectations by the clouds of misfortune and the chilly winds of adversity.

One may have a limb broken. Another may fall a victim to incurable disease. A third may lose his hearing or his sight. In many other ways you may become af- 'flicted, and the bright morning of life be turned into darkness.

Be thankful if none of these calamities have befallen you. Guard against danger, and use all the precautions you can for the preservation of life and health. Forget not those who have been afflicted and are passing through adversity.

The blind, the deaf, the maimed and helpless of every description deserve your most tender sympathy. You should, in every respect, encourage and aid them. Christ declares in the Gospel, that whatsoever is done in this way to any of his believing children, is done unto Him. You will be sure to get your reward. To the afflicted ones who may read these lines we say, do not let your courage fail. Be of good cheer. That God, who supports and comforts the widow and the fatherless in their affliction, will not forsake you, but will give you such relief and send you such help as will be best. Do your duty toward Him. He will so order events that everything will work together for your good. In the history of Job you have a striking illustration of this. In the day of adversity, robbed of all his wealth, bereaved of his seven sons and three daughters, accused by

Satan, deserted by his friends, and suffering from the terrible malady with which he had been stricken down, he loathed himself to such degree that he preferred death to life. He said, "My soul chooseth strangling and death before my life." The pressure brought to bear on you may seem heavier than is endurable. With Job you may sometimes see the dark side only and wish yourself in the grave. Under this pressure do not take your life. But like Job, put your trust in God, and all will come right in the end. The dark cloud over Job was removed, and the brightest and most prosperous days of this man of God were yet in store for him. So may it be with you.

The boy precedes and is master of the man. The principles and qualities that constitute the character of the boy will continue through youth, and from youth will be transferred to the rising man. Hence, as is the boy, so also will be the coming man.

If you ask, how can this be true ? we answer, it follows from the nature of things. The principles imbibed by the young heart will develop and show themselves in outward actions. These, as well as the principles which produce them, will enter into the formation of the boy's character. During the years of boyhood his character becomes more or less firmly established ; habits are formed, which, with but little modification, will cleave to him to the end of life. Hence it follows that the principles adopted and the habits formed in early life, whether good or evil, will control the future man.

The position here taken is fully illustrated and established by the well-known fact that bad boys invariably make bad men, and good boys good men. The exceptions to the general rule are very few. In confirmation of this you need only look at the moral wrecks around you. Make a careful inquiry into their past history, and you will soon learn that they began their evil practices in early life, and that they have continued them without interruption. Young reader, the same results from a similar course of conduct in your history will follow in the usual order of events. If, at this early period of your life, you drink from the corrupt fountains of vice to which you have access, yield to the evil influences around (and it may be in) you, and form the bad habits which usually follow, your case will be next to hopeless. In spite of any good resolutions you may adopt to reform in later years, leech-like the evil habits previously formed and the vices practised will cleave to and draw the life-blood from you. They will gradually weaken and finally bring you down to a state of helpless disgrace and misery !

The men of low character, profligate lives and vicious habits, who disgrace society, with rare exceptions began their course of misconduct in boyhood. Lying, stealing, profane swearing and general profligacy, in most cases, can be traced to this period. The "roughs" and hard characters of every description, it will be seen on a close examination of their past history, commenced their downward career when but from twelve to eighteen years old. This statement is confirmed by the reports and statistics of our alms-houses, jails, penitentiaries, and the confessions of criminals on their way to the gallows. A number of striking examples in illustration of the preceeding have come under our own immediate notice. We have met with fallen ones, in some cases from respectable and wealthy families, rejected by society, disowned by friends, dejected, comfortless and miserable! Vice and crime had reduced them to the lowest depths of degradation and misery. These had their start in early life. The sting that caused them to wither and pine away was inflicted on them in their youth. Unrestricted indulgence, bad training and disobedience to parents preceeded and had prepared the way for their ruin.

With the Christian philanthropist, as he looks at the desolation and misery produced by vice and crime around him, the question arises, can anything be done to prevent these evils and rescue those who have been ruined by them ? Is there any hope for them ? The strength of bad habits and the influence of associates in vice and crime are so great as to leave but little hope for deliverance from the power of the evils that have brought about their fall. Besides, the vices in which they have indulged, have weakened them to such an extent that their occasional promises and declared purposes to reform, generally prove a complete failure. The only hope that remains for them is that contained in the Gospel, pardon through the Lord Jesus. Faith, repentance and reformation of life are the only things that -can rescue these perishing prodigals. Even these leave the subjects of pardon under great disadvantages. The evil deeds of the pardoned criminal cannot be blotted out of existence. No effort, no power can annihilate them. Bitterest sorrow and grief cannot undo the evil deeds that should never have been committed. In spite of all that can be done to obliterate them, they will exist as facts, and occasionally turn up in memory with the bitterness of wormwood and gall ! What a warning this should be to all, to guard against wrong-doing. It is the poison of life ; the source of untold misery ! We turn away from this sad picture to another of a more favorable character. Examples altogether different have also come under our notice. These come at intervals in the world's history like sunshine on partially cloudy days. We welcome them. They cheer us on our way and inspire us with new zeal. The number of great and good men in the history of the world has not been so large as might have been desired. Yet they have dotted the moral heavens and shone forth with great brilliancy. Their unselfish lives have illuminated the pages of history and very much modified the character of a sinstricken world by their deeds of benevolence, their uprightness of conduct and Christian philanthropy.

In the Bible we read of an Enoch, " who walked with God," and whom God translated from earth to heaven, without being taken through the darkness and sufferings of a natural death. Elijah, "the man of God," was caught and borne away from earth in a chariot of fire, and conveyed through the regions of space to the same glorious abode. Abraham, "the father of the faithful," and Moses, the greatest of the prophets, were known all through the East as personages of great renown and benefactors to their fellow men. From the depressed state of abject slavery, Joseph, by patient endurance of wrongs, by personal integrity and piety under God's favor, was elevated to the most exalted position of honor and power at the throne of Pharaoh. Samuel was a renowned prophet, and the most distinguished and useful man in Israel during the forty years of SauPs reign. Daniel was delivered from his captivity at Babylon, and as a reward for his moral courage, his firm adherence to the worship of the true God, was protected from harm in the lions' den, favored "with many great gifts," and made ruler over the whole province of Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, the reigning monarch. The Bible abounds in the names of men who became distinguished by noble deeds, and whom God signally blessed. They were bright and shining lights amid the darkness of the remote ages in which they lived. A noteworthy feature in the -history of a number of these distinguished worthies is the fact that they feared the Lord from the days of their youth. This was, to a great extent, the secret of their success and usefulness.

The pages of profane history, too, abound in the names of great and good men. They occupied prominent positions as reformers, advocates of law and order among the men of their times. They were defenders of the right and enemies of the wrong. They were active, energetic workers. They did great service to their country in the promotion of justice and in the advancement of the public good. Their example is admired by all and their influence still felt.

But we need not confine ourselves to the Bible and history for examples with which to illustrate the principles we advocate. All around us we have living witnesses, who by their daily actions show that they are governed by the saving doctrines and truths of the Gospel. Their paths in life have been marked with charity and deeds of benevolence. They are useful citizens and worthy members of the church. They are a comfort to the afflicted, a help to the poor.

Your school-days form a bright spot in your history. In most cases they are days of joyous, cheery sunshine. They have connected with them much that is pleasant. They have developed many boyish freaks and amusing incidents. Free from the cares and anxieties of later years, the buoyant spirits of the young are kept in pleasant mood by the sanguine hopes they cherish as they look into the future. These hopes incite them to build beautiful air-castles. They vainly imagine that all will be bright and prosperous. But alas ! in only too many instances their hopes will not be realized.

But you must not let these quench 'the ardor of your spirits. The explosion of a few bubbles and the failure of imaginary achievements are a necessary part of the training every one should have. It prepares for the disappointments and defeats with which every one will meet as he makes his way through the clash and clamor of competition in the busy world around us.

Improve your school privileges. They are peculiarly advantageous. In our public school system provision is made 'or the education of all, without any distinction. No difference is made between rich and poor, white and colored. Hence poverty can no longer be advanced as an excuse for ignorance. If there be any children in country or town who grow up untaught, it must be their own fault or the fault of their parents.

Our public schools are accessible to our children as soon as they are old enough to attend the same to any advantage. They are admitted to the school room at an early age, and can have the advantages it affords until twenty-one, or such time as circumstances may dictate. All that is necessary for the instruction and mental training of the young to qualify them for useful employment and business of almost any kind, can be had in these schools. If you have attended them and will continue to do so whilst you can, you will become prepared for the farm, the shop, the store, public office, or even for the learned professions. A little additional study, diligent application and perseverance will qualify you for almost any office or profession. With the school privileges you have, a successful future should be yours.

Whilst attending school, there is always more or less time devoted to play under some form or other. This is not only pleasant, but also of real advantage. At no time is exercise out in the open air more needed than during the time boys attend school. It is absolutely necessary to promote bodily health and mental vigor. The only danger to which children are exposed by it, is the tendency to become too fond of it. Against this tendency it becomes necessary to guard. Your studies must always be regarded as of the first importance. Play and recreation, necessary as they may be, are secondary. Besides, as you advance in your studies, you become older, stronger, and consequently able to render important services to your parents and guardians, on whom you are dependent for your daily support. These services you should cheerfully render. You should do every thing in your power to show that you duly appreciate parental kindnesses to you. Obedience to them, therefore, has strouger claims on you than play can have. Hence, at their call play must at once be abandoned. Never let a second call be necessary. Prompt obedience is a significant feature in the history of boys. Delay looks very much like disobedience, and very often defeats the ends for which a boy's services are needed. Repeated delay shows a disregard for the authority of parents, and is highly censurable. Tardy boys are most likely to become tardy men. Tardy men, no matter what their employment, become subjected to many inconveniences and not unfrequently to heavy losses. What is worth doing at all should be done without any unnecessary delay. This will insure success, and involve no risks. We, therefore, insist on prompt, instant obedience. It is the forerunner of success in a boy's life. The boy who moves at the moment the command is given for the performance of duty, promises well for the future. Boys, don't forget that. Prompt obedience will bring you its blessed reward. It will establish for you a good reputation, and secure to you the confidence of all who know you. With this in your favor, you will be able to make a hopeful and encouraging beginning in the world.

Be generous and honest in your amusements and play with others. Do not impose upon the weaker. All will respect and esteem you for kindness and generosity shown to others. When others try to take the advantage of, or pick a quarrel with you, rather than get into a wrangle, peaceably withdraw from the game. It is better and more honorable to do this than to get angry and come to blows. You can afford to quit play, but not to enter into a fight.