It seems rather unnecessary to say that important
steps should not be taken without careful consideration; but experience shows
that such steps are taken from caprice or without serious thought.
It is not an infrequent thing for a young man to
decide his future on the toss of a coin, to make choice in this way between two
professions to decide whether he shall stay at home or emigrate or whether he
shall accept this or that appointment Most boys have to earn their living some
day or other, and it is of vital importance that they should choose that type
of work which they can do best. For those who have a decided bent there is little
or no difficulty, except that they should consult their parents and friends in
order that they may know what kind of market there will be for their work.
Others who convince no particular leaning should exercise greater care, in order
that they may find out what they can do best, and what is likely to be
remunerative. Too often men find themselves burdened with a profession into
which they cannot put their whole heart
, or which from overcrowding or other causes, will not bring them in sufficient
for a decent livelihood, and bitterly they repent the hastiness or careless of
their youth.
“Look before you leap” is a maxim which can be
applied in every sphere of life. The folly of the man, who makes friend without
observing their characteristics, or enquiring into their past lives, cannot be
too strongly condemned. He that hastily and thoughtlessly accepts a plausible
friend, only to find subsequently that he is unworthy of friendship, has only
his won carelessness to blame. No one is
business would think of lending money without security to a sharper he knew
nothing about and why should affection and trust be lavished on others without
previous enquiry into their worthiness? Who with money to invest would buy a
partnership in a business without in the way in which the business was conducted,
and its prospects of extension of profits?
The Same principle applies to all departments of
thought. How feeble must be the intelligence of the man who accepts ready- made
opinions on politics,. Religion or philosophy Ever’’ patriot must feel that is his
duty to consider for himself without prejudice what state policy he should
support. The man who gathers his opinions from ‘he daily press, without
considering their truth or value, is an unworthy citizen, and prostitutes the
intellect that God has given him. I here are Two questions of absorbing
interest to him, the rules by which this life should he lived and what is to
happen after death. Those who jump to conclusion on these questions without
inking of themselves. Without weighing the opinions of others, or testing the
evidences upon which their religion is based. Can plead on excuse for their
errors. They are dangerous exponents of their policy of religion, if they are
unable to give satisfactory reasons for their adoption.