THE BATTALION.
7
variety of active enterprise it is a noticeable fact that the
young man is conspicuous. By determination, steady appli
cation and properly exercising those attributes -which distin
guish the gentleman and the scholar, he has gained a stand
ing and a reputation which places him at the front of the
advancing tide of prosperity. The attainment of such a
position has been materially aided by our various educa
tional institutions, and is of itself sufficient evidence that
the time has now arrived when it is an imperative duty
which every young man owes to family and to self that he
should try to obtain a college education. In all our lives
there is a period of inactivity, and at such time fancy creates
so many bright dreams that we often wonder were it not
better to dream on from youth to age—to float gaily down
the stream of time with never an exertion but for pleasure’s
sake, until we reach the ocean of eternity. Such reveries may
do for the idle moments, but the time will come when you
must awaken to the opportunities and possibilities before
you. Why should not you, too, be successful in business or
in any avocation you may choose to follow? It is true that
nature has endowed us with varying degrees of physique and
mental strength, but she puts us here to win. You must
assert yourself and be a man if you desire to become a factor
and not a mere figure-head in the everyday pursuits of life.
You cannot go forth unlearned and illiterate in some chosen
field without being harrassed by many distressing perplexi
ties, which escape the college man who has been instructed
and enlightened, who has cultivated those reasoning powers
which enable men to adapt their means to an end, and to
grasp the problems which so sorely perplex the untaught.
So it is that the desire to go to college invariably comes to us
all. Our various educational institutions are complete in
their equipment—and what a field from which to choose. It
matters not where you go or what you study, be it theology,
law, medicine or the broad field of science in its varied ap-.
plications, you will find able men anxious to guide and direct
you in the pursuit of your favorite calling. It is in the
college that personal character is given those finishing touches