An Item for Boys | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 13, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 43.

An Item for Boys.

It is not necessary that a boy who learns a trade should follow it all his life. Governor Palmer, of Illinois, was once a country blacksmith, and began his political career in Macoupin County. A circuit judge in the central part of Illinois was a tailor. Thomas Hoyne, a rich and eminent lawyer of Illinois, was once a book-binder.

Erastus Corning, of New York, too lame to do hard labor, commenced as a shop boy in Albany. When he applied for employment first, he was asked: "Why, my little boy, what can you do?" "I can do what I am bid," was the answer, which secured him a place.

Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts, was a shoemaker; Thurlow Weed was a canal boat driver; Ex-Governor Stone, of Iowa, was a cabinet-maker, as was also the late Hon. Stephen A. Douglas in his youth. Large numbers of men of prominence now living have risen from humble life, by dint of industry, without which talent is as a gold coin on a barren island. Work alone makes men bright, and it does not alone depend on the kind of work you have whether you rise or not; it depends, certainly, on how you do it.