“Now, if the epitaph had said, ’Here lies the body of John Blank; he was born a man and died a banker,’ it would have been just as bad.  Or, if he had died an undertaker, and buried himself, it would not have been any better.

“Now, John, Harry, Willie, if you want to be a grocer when you grow up, be a grocer and a big one—­a wholesale grocer if you wish, and be a good one—­the very best in town, if you can, but say—­don’t let your grocery business swallow you up till you are not good for anything else but to buy and sell groceries!  Be a good grocer, but be a better, bigger MAN!!

“Perhaps you would like to be a lawyer; very well, be a lawyer, but see to it that you don’t die a lawyer, and nothing but a lawyer.  Don’t let your profession swallow you up, and be bigger than you are yourself!  Yes, be a lawyer, be a judge, if you will; the world doesn’t seem to be able to get along without them—­some of them to get people into trouble and others to get them out of it!

“Yes, but no matter how big and how good and just a judge you are, be a bigger, better, juster MAN.

“Here is another example.  We have had Mr. Slim Jim; now let us have Mr. Broadman—­broad-shou
ldered—­broad-backed—­broad-minded—­big-hearted, open-pursed MAN—­born a man and died a MAN. [Write last seven words on the blackboard.] Remember this:  It is every man’s duty to provide for his family, but it is no man’s duty to provide a million for them and provide nothing for those who are aged and sick and lame and blind and poverty stricken, and helpless.

“That kind of charity which ‘begins at home’ and stays there is a shame and disgrace to its possessor.  It is the kind Mr. Narrow Minded Slim Jim dispenses!

“Every man owes some of his time, his talent and his money to the town, the state, the nation to which he belongs!  He gets their help and protection when needed.  Protection and aid perchance in time of fire, flood or cyclone, and police protection as well.  And now let me close where I begin with the gravestone and the epitaph.” [Here draw picture of grave and gravestone with the epitaph, “Here Lies John Blank, He Was Born a Man But Died a Grocer.”] “Let us read together once more this strange and curious epitaph, and make up our minds that no one will ever have a chance to write such a sentiment on our gravestones.”

Read it in concert.

INDEX

TALKS FOR SPECIAL DAYS.

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sp;                                      Page.
Boys’ Day:
  “Johnnie Appleseed” ........................... 121
  “Valueless Things” ............................ 157