READINGS FOR YOUNG MEN. WHAT A MAN OF BUSINESS SHOULD BE. A MAN of business should be able to fix his attention on details, and be ready to give every kind of argument a hearing. This will not encumber him, for he must have been practised beforehand in the exercise of his intellect, and be strong in principles. One man collects materials together, and there they remain a shapeless heap; another, possessed of method, can arrange what he has collected; but such a man as I would describe, by the aid of principles goes farther, and builds with his materials. He should be courageous. The courage, however, required in civil affairs, is that which belongs rather to the able commander than the mere soldier. But any kind of courage is serviceable. Besides a stout heart, he should have a patient temperament, and a vigorous but disciplined imagination; and then he will plan boldly, and with large extent of view execute calmly, and not be stretching out his hand for things not yet within his grasp. He will let oppor tunities grow before his eyes until they are ripe to be seized. He will think steadily over possible failure, in order to provide a remedy or a retreat. There will be the strength of repose about him. He must have a deep sense of responsibility. He must believe in the power and vitality of truth; and in all he does or says, should be anxious to express as much truth as possible. His feeling of responsibility and love of truth will almost inevitably endow him with diligence, accuracy, and discreetness-those commonplace requisites for a good man of business, without which all the rest may never come to be "translated into action." ENERGY versus DESPAIR. WITHOUT this distinguishing mark of true manhood, we fail in securing either the happiness of ourselves or others. Without ENERGY a man becomes a drone in society, a nonentity in the world. There are special occasions in the life of every man, when he needs to fall back upon the natural energy of his nature. Do afflictions, sad and grievous, weigh him down, and seem to crush him to the earth? Let him remember that this is but the " cup " which his Divine Master has given him -the "furnace" which is to purify his soul, and fit him for the heavenly rest hereafter. Rise, then, afflicted man! Put forth the energy you possess, and soar above your sorrows. Perhaps your business cares are such as to cause you many anxious days and sleepless nights. The times are hard, money is almost out of the question, and you feel like folding your arms and giving up in despair. We hear of such cases every day. Don't look upon the dark side of the picture! Keep moving! If you fail of success in one place, try another, and give yourself no rest till you triumph. The world is large enough for us all, and, as the song says: "Uncle Sam is rich enough Remember that the world does not contain a brier or a thorn that divine mercy could have spared. These very briers and thorns which encompass you, are the instruments which will try the energy of your character, and settle your capacity to fulfil the mission of life. To all then, we say, suffer no feeling of despondency to weigh you down. Rise triumphantly above all your sorrows and troubles, and you will make the world better and happier for having been born in it. WHAT A MERCHANT SHOULD BE. Al A MERCHANT should be an honourable man. though a man cannot be an honourable man without being an honest man, yet a 'man may be strictly honest without being honourable. Honesty refers to pecuniary |