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Show WHAT ENERGY HAS DONE, Some Celebrated Exanrplm of How Hard Work I.cuds to Fame. Tweaty-flvo years ngo-a few young men in Loudon resolved to meet every evening to exchange ideas. Tiie number num-ber gradually increased till it was necen-wiry necen-wiry to hire a room. Growing ambr-tious, ambr-tious, they hired lecturers, and many peoplo woro brought together. Many of them now truce back their success to tlus effort at gaining knowledge. Indefatipablo industry coupled with tlie desire for knowledge produced great results. Walter Scott, when he was in a lawyer's office, spent his evenings in study. John Britton, the author of architectural works, said: "I studied my books in bed on winter evenings, because too poor to afford a fire." Ha used every opportunity to rsad; the books he picked up for a few moments at the bk stalls helped him, he says. Napoleon had indomitable in-domitable perseverance and energy. Dr. Livingstone at the aga of 10 years, working work-ing in a factory, bought with his first wages a Latin grammar, and studied it until 12 at night. He studied Virgil' aud Horace the same wty, and finally entered en-tered college and was graduated. Many will ask how they cau advance themselves in knowledge. The first thing is determination; the next perseverance. Walter Scott gave this advice to a young man: "Do instantly whatever is to be done, and take the hours of recreation after business; never before it." Business Busi-ness men often say, VTime is money." But it is more than that to the young man. If used rightly it is self improvement, improve-ment, culture, strength and growth of character. The habit of idleness is a hard one to get rid of. The habit of reading anything and everything is weakening weak-ening to the mind. Books chosen and read with care cultivate the mind and character. The books you read should raise your thoughts and aspirations, strengthen your energy and help you iu your work. Thackeray says: "Try to frequent the company of your betters In books and in life frequent that which is the most wholesome society; leant to admire rightly. Note what great men iiave admired; tkoy admire great things; narrow spirits admire basely and worship meanly." Christian at Work. |