INDIVIDUAL EFFORT: HARD WORK: ENTHUSIASM OFFERS KEYS TO SUCCESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22816, 10 December 1948, Page 4

INDIVIDUAL EFFORT: HARD WORK: ENTHUSIASM OFFERS KEYS TO SUCCESS

STEP INTO ADULT LIFE

“YOU may fool lliat you are not bi? enough-—not old enough lo count for anything in the world which you are about to enter. That is not true. Everything that has ever happened, everything that has ever been done in (lie world, has begun with the individual. Y hat vou do, what you think, and what you believe will determine the contribution you can make to the future.”

Canon A. F. Hall gave this advice last evening when speaking at the annual break-up ceremonies of the Gisborne High School, held in the Army Hall in tire presence of a large gathering of parents and friends of pupils. The function was highly successful, and was presided over by Mr. L. TBurnard, chairman of the Gisborne High School Board of Governors. The adult section of the gathering was delighted with example of school singing and bv contributions by the school brass band and orchestra, and followed with keen interest the presentation of prjzes won during the vear Cor study and sporting activity. “Creeping Paralysis of Nation" The importance of the individual was ; the first of three points he wished to ! impress upon his school audience, said , Canon Hall, and particularly upon those who were about to leave the I school.

The second was the value of work for its own sake.

They were going out into the world to work, which was not a necessary evil, but a reason for living. Work itself was life, and infinitely more important than the pay it brought. “Wo need more craftsmanship and more pride in doing well,” he continued. “History tells us that a distaste for hard work presaged the decline of many nations in the past. It is a kind of creeping paralysis. I sometimes wonder whether we in this country, with our increased leisure, are not entering upon the path that leads to the twilight. Christianity Solves Problem “It is not merely because I am a clergyman that I tell you this: That Christianity offers the solution to the world's problems. We as individuals are the problems that Christianity must solve. Keep in touch with God in whatever you do. “The world is not merely made up of good doctors, dentists, bankers and skilled tradesmen who incidentally are Christians. ■We need more Christians who incidentally are good doctors, dentists, bankers and skilled tradesmen. “The third point I wish to make is that you should be enthusiastic. As young folk you are ‘full of buck and beans,’ as the saying goes. But in your school and at home you are associating with people who are progressing towards middle age, and who are losing some of their enthusiasms. Consequently, you tend to come down to their level.

Down to Teachers’ Level. “Don’t come down to the level of your teacher,” said Canon Hall, amidst a burst of laughter from the pupils, hastily adding: “ —in the matter of enthusiasm, of course!" He urged them to keep up their enthusiasm in their games, in their hobbies and in their work; not to loaf on their jobs: not to be deterred by shyness from showing their enthusiasm- “ Even the Communists can teach us the importance of enthusiasm,” he said. “Whatsoever thy hand find to do, do it with all thy might. “The year is nearly at an end. You who are leaving are going from the primers into the high school of the world,” he concluded. “Remember that the university is still to come—in the next world. Happy landings!” (Prize List appears on Page 7V