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The First Original Speech by A. ClarkShow simple item record

dc.creatorClark, Addison, Sr., 1842-1911
dc.date.accessioned2020-11-13T15:52:19Z
dc.date.available2020-11-13T15:52:19Z
dc.date.issuedn.d.
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/42603
dc.descriptionUndated, handwritten speech by Addison Clark in which he advises young students to be industrious and avoid idleness.
dc.format.medium7.75x12 paper
dc.relationJoseph Lynn Clark Papers (MS 156)
dc.rightsPrior written permission from TCU Special Collections required to use any document or photograph.
dc.sourceBox 117, Original Speeches and Compositions of Addison and Randolph Clark folder
dc.subjectClark, Addison, Sr.
dc.subjectAddRan College
dc.titleThe First Original Speech by A. Clark
dc.typeDocument
dc.description.transcriptionThe first original speech by A. Clark Permit me on the present occasion to give you what instruction and particularly encouragement. What is in my power pertaining to your pursuit of a knowledge of those sciences and arts of which our country boasts and which is gained by the industrious but not by the indolent and I will tell you now that if you ever expect to be any account you must be industrious. Perhaps it will be well enough to explain to you little girls and boys what industry is for it is necessary that you should understand it fully as all your future employment depends on it. To be industrious you must pay steady attention to your business whatever it maybe. If you are studying you must be very diligent and attentive to your studies. That is to the particular thing you are studying and to nothing else at that time. This is industry and judge for yourselves whether you are all industrious or not and if you not you ought to be. There are some children that do not go to school to learn anything or at least it looks as for there some that do not study. Now to such children I would say bear in mind what you come to school for. All children know they are sent to school to learn and they might to know that it is for their own benefit and they ought to have more respect for themselves for their teacher and for their parents who are the most anxious for their advancement in their studies and for their welfare in general. For any child to spend his time in idling’s and indolence and thereby bring disgrace upon himself is something that I cannot imagine how any boy or girl can hear the idea of. I know that it is very irksome for some little children just commencing to learn their letters to study but this is because it does not understand what it is for. But the child that is properly taught the benefits of this as it advances onward industry required. We may say as it makes the first step up the hill of science and begins to look around and understand what tis for that has been such a burden upon its mind. It soon becomes reconciled to its studies and rapid advancement still progressing from one subject to another. He steers his course on the winding truth of knowledge, boldly stemming the surging wave of discouragement proceeding step by step from one accomplishment to another never willing to leave anything of importance Winstead unaccomplished till old age arrives and finds him still in pursuit of knowledge. Old age being attended by weakness his farther progress is stopped and it is then that he reflects deeply on the past and seeing his bones upright course through life he looks around and beholds the reward of his industry which is bounteous and he then feels happy for hard has he labored and duly is he recompensed. This is the course and at death he thinks seriously upon the good he has done to his country. He proves that this whole life has been occupied in doing good he dies a happy man. It is true his life is no more but he leaves a name that lives in all the splendor that surrounds the names of all great and good men and he leaves an example too for all who wish to follow the path to virtue and knowledge. This is the picture of the character of the industrious and that of the indolent just the reverse. The excellence of industry may be fully illustrated by contrasting it with indolence. There is no man more unhappy than he who gives himself up to indolence whether rich or poor he is equally as unhappy in one condition as in the other. The steady pursuit of a laudable and baneful object is almost a sure path to eminence. While the indulgence of idleness is a sure path to disgrace shame and ignorance. If we ever expect to be useful to our country helping to ourselves treasures that cannot perish one must be industrious. If we wish to be an honor to our country to ourselves as to our God, we must be industrious. We must not spend a single moment in idleness for life is short and if it is spent in indolence we cannot hope for any reward hereafter for to him that doeth much a great deal is rewarded and to him that doeth little but little reward is given and to him that doeth nothing no reward is given. This you see you must exercise all your mental power to gain knowledge and there is no better time for improvement than while you are young and if you set out with a determined and unyielding courage to persevere give way to no impediments that may chance to be in you winding path up the hill of science. For bear in mind that your progress will not be accompanied by all the ease and comfort that this world affords. You will reap the fruits of your labor in happiness and pleasure and it will not be momentary but it will be everlasting. But if you spend your time in idleness you will be trifling and good for nothing all your life. The fleeting hour will pass by unnoticed and old age will find you unprepared to meet it and you will now see the folly of your days and you will now in old age perhaps commence that which you ought to have begun in childhood but alas it is too late. Death and the grave are close at hand and your last tottering steps will be guided in indolence and ignorance thereby rendering death horrible and fearful. Yes you will not be prepared to exclaim Oh! Death where is they sting Oh! Grave where is thy victory. The first original speech by A. Clark Permit me on the present occasion to give you what instruction and particularly encouragement that is in my power pertaining to your pursuit of a knowledge of those sciences and arts of which our country boasts and which is gained by the industrious. Perhaps it will be well enough to explain to you little girls and boys what industry is for. It is necessary that you should understand it fully as all your future enjoiement (sic) depends on it. To be industrious you must pay steady attention to your business whatever it may be. If you are studying you must be very diligent and attentive to your studies that is to the particular thing you are studying and to nothing else at that time. This is industry …


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