p. 279 | LEARN A TRADE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 29, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 18

LEARN A TRADE.

I NEVER look at my old steel composing rule, that I do not congratulate myself that while my strength lasts, I am not at the mercy of the world. If my pen is not wanted, I can go back to the type case and be sure to find work; for I learned the printer’s trade thoroughly—newspaper work, job-work, book-work, and press-work. I am glad I have so good a trade. It is a rock upon which the possessor can stand firmly. There is health and vigor for both body and mind in an honest trade. It is the strongest and surest part of a self-made man. Go from the academy to the printing-office or the artisan’s bench, or if you please, to the farm—for to be sure, good farming is a trade, and a grand one at that. Lay thus a sure foundation, and after that, branch off into whatever profession you please.

You have heard, perhaps, of the clerk who had faithfully served Stephen Girard from boyhood to manhood. On the twenty-first anniversary of his birthday he went to his master and told him his time was up, and he certainly expected important promotion in the merchant’s service. But Stephen Girard said to him,—

“Very well. Now go and learn a trade.”

“What trade, sir?”

“Good barrels and butts must be in demand while you live. Go and learn the cooper’s trade, and when you have made a perfect barrel, bring it to me.”

The young man went away and learned the trade, and in time brought his old master a splendid barrel of his own make. Girard examined it, and gave the maker two thousand dollars for it, and then said to him,—

“Now, sir, I want you in my counting-room; but henceforth you will not be dependent upon the whim of Stephen Girard. Let what will come, you have a good trade always in reserve.”

The young man saw the wisdom, and understood. Years ago, when the middle-aged men of to-day were boys, Horace Greeley wrote: “It is a great source of consolation to us, that when the public shall be tired of us as an editor, we can make a satisfactory livelihood at setting type or farming; so that while our strength lasts, ten thousand blockheads, taking offense at some article they do not understand, could not drive us into the poorhouse.”—Selected.