The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-04-29
(For the Literary Echo
Power Of Determined Purpose.

Among the characteristic difference!
, of men, there are few more marked thar
/ those relating to the nature and power
of their resolutions. Some are timid
and doubling, others courageous and con.
fident. Some are like weather-vane
turning with every breeze, while Others
are like the magnetic needle, ever point
ing in one direction, with fxedness OF
, purpose. However otherwise the mind
may be constituted, without fixed pur-
pose, without distinct and firm election
of an end to be reached, it will become
the mere servant of passing events, and
hence necessarily tossed on the eddying
tide of impulse and passion. Unstable
and ungoverned, it can make no deter
inmate progress, and fix no abiding i'm
pressions on the O jects of its action.
Of such undecided and passive char
acters, there are Thousands creatures
of the day-submissive to the touch of
causalities -obedient to the voice of
their fellows, and almost wholly destitute
OF that self-reliance and frmness which
constitute the chief glory of man.
They are like rushes growing along the
banks of life's stream, easily bowed to
The babbling current, and as easily borne
away with the mass Of drift-wood and
stubble But not so with the resolute
and Independent mind. 1t is like the
mountain-oak, strong in itself, reaching
out its strong arms to battle with the
mountain blasts, and thrus,ing far out
its tough roots, and knitting them tightly
around the great mountain rocks. The
stroke of the tempest may, for a moment
bend its giant strength, but it only gives
occasion to that " ris resilie7di," which
recoiling, prepared for heavier shock.
Singleness of purpose, and frmness of
resolution are among the choicest and
most efficient attributes of man. With
strong determination, even an inferior
intellect may greatly enlarge itself and
accomplish many of the happiest results
And superior mind, in which this pow
er is usually inherent, will assuredly
open its own path of progress, however
it may be opposed. In its strong deter
limitations it exercises almost creative
power. Before its indomitable will,
opposition shrinks back abashed, hostility
cringes in despair, threatening is awed
to respectful silence, and in the mean
time all its own energies acquire and as
sumo a twofold power of achievement.
The Monk of Wirtumburg determined
to visit the city of Worms to confront
his prosecutors, though he should meet
there as many devils as there were tiles
on the roofs. This very resolution null
tiplied his power of defence. What
cared he for sceptcrcd princes and the
thunders of the Vatican A spirit
thus nerved gains new force from every
opposing shock, as the eagle in the
storm, smittcn by the mighty blasts,
rises swifter, and higher, and careers
more proudly among the rolling clouds.
| pM is unconquerable it will do or
die. At the voice of one man Napo-
leon France shook from her throne its
old incumbent, and her sons rose up
with strength to convulse all Europe.
Determined ambition, even when divorc-
ed from right, will stalk to thrones and
beckon the -Aomage of irresolute mon
archs. Listen to Caesar, "reni, ridi,
rioi."
When fully aroused, determined
spirit disdains those obstacles which
strike dismay to weak and wavering
minds. 1t strongly lifts up its bright
standard high through the msts of doubt,
and either readily wins the object of its
devotion, or else, trampling down all
opposition, lays conqueriug hands upon
it. Such minds are neither the off |
spring nor creatures Of circumstances.
They press circumstances into their own
train. In Whatsoever direction tbcv