DO YOUR BEST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 256, 27 October 1881, Page 4

DO YOUR BEST.

"When I was a little boy," s iii a gentlemin, one evening, "I psid a visit to my grandfather, a venerable old mat, whose bhck cap and tassel, blue breeches ocd huje siiver knee buckhs, filled me with great awe. When I weat to bid l.ioi good - bye, hedrew rae between bis knees, and. piajinpr bi; hend oo my bead said, ' Graodcl.ik', I hove one U.icg to 39y to yoi; wiil you remember it ? ' I stared iuto bis face ard nodded, lor I was afrtii to proa-be aloud. ' Well,' he ccntinaod, •' whatever you clo, do iha best you can." "This, in fact, was my graadfatber'3 legeey to me, end it bas proved belter tban gold. I never forgot his word?, acd I believe I htva tried to set upon thetn. After reaching hocae, my ancle gsve Msrcus and rae come weedicg to do in the garden. It was Wedoes-dcy Hfiernoor, and we bed laid oat cur plans for eomeihing elee. Marcus fretted cud ill-butnored at bis disappojntcnenf, did not more than balf do fch work, and I began pretty much like bim, nntil grandfather'^ advice came into my w'uni, and I determined to follow it. Id a word, I ' did my btst. And when my uncle came out, I shall never forget his look of approbation as hia eyes glanced over my beds, or tfce fourpence he slipped into my band afterward 83 he eaid my work was well done, Ab ! I wta a glad and thsskfal boy ; while poor Marcus wta left to drudge over his beis all tfae aftercoon. " At fifteen I was sent to the academy, where I bad partiy to earn my owe way through the coursa The leasocs came herd at firs!, ior I wa3 not fond of study, but grandfather's advice wa = my motto, aod I tried to do a-y best. As & c&tsequecce of this, though I was email of my b^f, acd dgC very strong, my mother had three oft'ers for me before tbe year wbb out, bnd one from tbe best merchant of the village, * a place ' in wt oaa store waa considerad very deeirable. Wben I joined tbe cburcb, I tried to do the Lord's work as well aa I did my owe, end often when 1 have been tempted to leave the Sabbath school, or let a hindrance keep me from the prayer-meeting, or get discouraged in any good thing, my grandfather's laßt words, *Do tbe best you can,' buve given ccc fresh courage, and I would again try." Here then, was the key to tbis man's character. He is considered one of the best men, one of the best citizens, ooe of tbe U.st (fii eer 8 of the churcb, one of the btst ftieeds ot the poor, odb o( tbe best neighbours, fathere, husbands, friends ; in a word, be is universally beloved and respected. And what is the secret of it ail ? He always tried to do tie best that he could. Let every boy aod girl take this lor their motto. Acted upon, it will do wonders for you. It v.il bricg out powers and capabilities which will earpme and delight yourselves and your frienda.