On Choosing Life Models

ON CHOOSING LIFE MODELS. BY EDWIN F. PARRY, AUTHOR OF "SKETCHES OF MISSIONARY LIFE," ETC. Mankind are all imitators; and it is by observing and imitating the acts of others that one's character is formed. Children copy the habits of their parents and of those immediately about them; but as they grow older they find other models after which to pat- tern. By reading and by observation, a boy learns of the exploits of men who are represented as being famous for their noble deeds; and, on becoming familiar with the lives of such characters, he admires them, and naturally adopts them as models after which to shape his own life. Such a course is highly proper, providing the young man is led to select the right kind of model. If left to himself to choose one, he should consider well before deciding. Not every man who has acquired worldly renown has lived a life worthy of emulation; nor are the pursuits that seem to offer the greatest opportunities for the achievement of fame the most worthy of one's consideration. Frequently a false estimate is placed upon the value of men's actions and occupations. It seems to be popular to look upon victorious soldiers as the greatest of heroes, and to regard military successes as the grandest achieve- ments. And this sentiment respecting the soldier and his avoca- tion sometimes inspires young men with a military spirit, and a de- sire is awakened within them to become soldiers, not particularly from patriotic motives, but more for the glory and honor they expect to gain. Until nations learn to live without going to war with each other, it may be necessary for young men to adopt the military profession; but war is not such a glorious nor romantic

ON CHOOSING LIFE MODELS. 173 occupation as it may be considered by inexperienced minds; nor is the very highest type of courage always displayed on the battlefield. Popular opinion despises cowardice on the field of war, and through fear of disgrace and general denunciation, one not truly brave may be forced to assume the appearance of a courageous soldier. Then, too, the love of popular favor or of worldly renown may be an in- centive for one to perform daring deeds in military conflicts. There are other fields in which courage and valor may be displayed, and the man of greatest courage is he who is not afraid to perform his duty according to his convictions, even in the face of popular dis- approval, opposition and condemnation. Aside from military pursuits, there are avocations more allur- ing to the young, and yet they are such as should not be regarded as desirable. Young people are led to adopt them because of the cheap notoriety, (sometimes mistaken for fame and honor,) which they afford. I refer to sports and amusements as professions. While such occupations are all right for the sake of recreation or enter- tainment, they are not the most preferable callings for our young people to follow as a business. The attention given in newspapers to sports and amusements fires the youth with an ambition to com- pete for such honors, if honors they may be called, as are bestowed upon champion ball players, bicycle riders, horse jockeys, etc. With many an aspiring youth there seems to be a desire to acquire talents that can be displayed before the public in preference to others of more real value. To become skillful in some perform- ance that is of itself useless, a person will sometimes spend time and energy sufficient to accomplish something that is of worth to himself and to humanity. Some men display wonderful skill in markmanship with a gun, or in performing upon a trapeze or a tight-rope, and yet the only use to which they apply this ability is that of giving public exhibitions. With perhaps less practice and perseverance, they might have learned to run a locomotive or to even engineer the construction of a railway. Such avocations as I have mentioned, and others of the same character, may be followed by people in the large cities of the world through force of circumstances. In such places the competition for an existence is so keen that people resort to every conceivable means of earning an honest living. But in our community, there

174 IMPROVEMENT ERA. are oppertunities for the pursuit of more elevating and useful oc- cupations. Among us there is need for skilled men in many pro- fessions that are over-crowded in many other parts of the world. What every young man should learn is the fact that any honest, useful occupation is honorable, and that distinction and renown may be gained in the peaceful and quiet pursuits of life. Scores of scientists might be mentioned who have become famous through the discoveries they have made, and the world has been greatly benefited by the knowledge they have brought to light by their earnest, untiring labors. The same might be said of inventors, who, quietly and in seclusion, have pursued their studies and experi- ments in order to bring about improved methods of carrying on the aifairs of daily life. But the pursuit of fame for the pleasure and satisfaction it is supposed to bring should never be the ambition of any young man. While everyone should seek to become proficient in his calling, and be an honor to his profession, he should be actuated by a sense of duty — a desire to faithfully perform the labors he has undertaken — and not by a love for notoriety or preferment. There is very little satisfaction, it would seem, in world fame, even of the very greatest, if we accept the testimony of those who have had it con- ferred upon them. The late Prince Bismarck, one of the most dis- tinguished men of modern times, is said to have uttered these words during his last illnes: "Nobody loves me for what I have done. I have never made anybody happy — not myself, nor my family, nor anybody else. But how many have I made unhappy! But for me three great wars would not have been fought, eighty thousand men would not have perished. Parents, brothers, sisters, and widows would not be bereaved and plunged into mourning. *

• • I have had little or no joy from all my achievements; noth- ing but vexation, care and trouble." In selecting life models, a young man should look for those in- dividuals who have done the greatest good in the world, and whose lives have been exemplary, and then seek to emulate their admirable qualities, no matter whether or not his course will bring him fame or the praise of men. What is of far more value than popular praise is the satisfaction of having done something that has proved or will prove a benefit to mankind.