“His Process” [Reflections On Charles H. Parkhurst (ed) Portraits And Principles of The World's Great Men And Women, N.Y. : Springfield:The King-Richardson Co. 1899 - #14B/100]

Transactions not “A little wrong” is first and foremost point,
He wrote in business letter to a youngster he’d appoint
To do a work quite similar to what he’d done each day,
That starting out in business might see victory his way.

The second is stay in the game, alert to what is first
Connecting needs with great supply, if promise from it burst;
Do not delay, but ride the crest of tide as it comes in,
Aware of sources of supply, from which each sale begins.

Third is get a system to keep figures at the top
Of your awareness, as each day through business-land you walk;
Know when your losses and expenses rise above the sum
Of profits you accumulate – know each and every one.

The fourth and final tip he wrote was watch your credit line
Do not misuse it – cash up-front, and slowly grow in time;
Build solid reputation for good quality, fair price;
Sell nothing without profit, some from each thing will suffice.

Such formed the business-basis of that man some years ago;
Quite typical of others of that era working so
That life in one’s community could profit one and all,
While those engaged in meeting need could face folks standing tall.

I notice, Lord, a shift has happened in this point of view –
From artisans with one-on-one transactions, something new
Has grown up – there’s a middleman, with industry out back,
And he is smoothing out the process – purpose with a knack –

Of providing needed objects, services, and so much more,
As Veblen has described this mechanism here before –
He said that it’s all well and good, but power’s vested here
Within their grand society, so problems now appear.

For business-ventures in that space are playing with their needs,
Or making phony crises such that profits they could seize;
For far from smoothing life, they’d make the waves upon the tide,
Then on the crest of ripples, all the way to bank they’d ride.

So, really, this advice concerns this role of businessman,
In space between the industries, which in that era ran
Society, that it might work with timing more precise;
Advising “Interstitial folks” to in their work be nice.

Lord, we have lost community as basis of our lives –
We think the winners are the ones who on their own can thrive;
But now I hear more clearly, it’s the Kingdom-layer where we
Can enter body-life with You and find Your Jubilee.

For world is just the same as it has been in years gone by –
Folks out of Eden’s garden play as if the truths of life;
It’s not, and option’s open to engage in Scripture’s ways,
As a better way to live one’s life, while making business pay.

Lord, this holds promise to my mind of better days ahead –
Of body-life lived day-to-day, when by Your Spirit led;
Please open up potential from Paul’s viewpoint is that is new,
And grace us to move into it, that we Your will might do.

Thanks Lord for this.

navigation