Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-07-20
The Will and the Way.
BY W, MATHEWS,

AMONG the Oft-quOted maxims in our
language there is none finer, or more re-
plete with sterling truth. than that which
often falls SO lightly from mems lips:
Where there is a soaU, there is q s0ay," No
doubt there are limits to all human capa-
bility in all human affairs in every sphere
of activity men may meet obstacles which
even the utmost energy cannot overcome.
Almost every man is more or less the vic
tim of circumstances, which sometimes
operate so powerfully that it is impossible
to crush his way through them. But the
frequency with which such occasions occur
is greatly over-estimated and the fact that
mountains so often dwindle into molehills
when we once resolutely determine to
cross them, shows that, after every allow
ance of extraordinary cases, the old Saxon
saw is still true generally, and that he who
intensely wills to do thing will find
way. And intense desire itself transforms
possibility into reality. Our wishes are
but prophecies of the things we are capa-
BILE of performing; while, on the other
hand, the timid, feeble-willed man finds
everything impossible because he believes
it to be so. As Virgil says of his boat
men, men are able because they think they
are able-2oOssunt q,tiG possUnt 0identXr to
resolve upon attainment is often attain
ment itself We are all aware of the fact
that the roads which. we incline not to
travel are all sadly beset by specimens of
the feline tribe; and, when gentleman is
asked for money by neighbor often in
need of it, he is extremely apt to have
large and eXhausting payment to make at
the end of the week. But when one is
really determined to push his way along
the road, opposing lions have usually little
terror for him, and, if he is anxious to
oblige his friend, he will almost certainly
be able to do SO without breaking any Of
his own engagements.
1t is, indeed, wonderful, at times, to see
| what marches are accomplished by men
acting under the impulse of powerful
will. A remarkagle example OF this is
furnished by the captured Texans of the
Santa Fe expedition, who, after having
marched until they were nearly dead with
fatigue and exhaustion, yet, being told
that any who should prove unable to
walk would be shot, contrived to pluck up
and set off at q round pace, which they
kept up all day. So Quintin Matsys, the
famous Dutch painter, in his youth, de-
SPARED of ever being able to paint, till his
master told him that only by producing q
picture of merit within six months could
he have his daughters hand; and then he
set vigorously to work and brought forth
| 1U6 4htecTSt q lldSlSIplSCt VI WhlC1i
connoisseurs have admired for ages. 1t is re-
lated of young French officer that he
used to walk about his apartment exclaim-
ing, Il aoiN be Marshal of France and a
great general" and his burning desire
proved a presentiment of his success
Smiles, in his "Self- Help" tells of an
English carpenter who was observed one
day planning magistrates bench, which
he was repairing, with more than usual
carefulness, and, when asked the reason,
replied, Because l wish to make it easy
against the time when come to sit upon
it myself" Singularly enough, the man
actually lived to sit upon that very bench
as magistrate.
lowered high above their fellows-have
been remarkable above all things else fol
their energy of will.
Among the many causes of failure in
life none is more frequent than the feeble
ness of the will, which is indicated by
spasmodic action-by fitful effort, or lack
) of persistence. "The longer 1 live SAYS
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, the more ]
am certain that the great difference be
tween men-between the great and the
insig nificant-is energy, invincible de-
termination, an honest purpose once fixed
and then death or victory. This quality
VIII 10 anytnlng IN Ine WOrld; and no
talents, no circumstances, will make
} two-legged creature man, without it.
The very reputation of being strong willed
plucky, and indefatigable, is of priceless
value. 1t often cows enemies and dispels
at the start opposition to ones undertak
r ings which would otherwise be formidable
Men feel that it is useless to struggl,
l against man who will never yield. l
;, such man does encounter opposition i
:, becomes a help, rather than hindrance
S to his general success. The difficulties h
5 conquers are his stimulus and aliment
e they are his gymnasium and palestra, b.
:, which the muscles are strengthened.
Is the bellet OF the savage that ever
5. enemy he Stays passes into him, and
a added to his own, aceumulating a warrior
= strength Tor the day of battle; and it is s
T with life's trials. 1t has been said tha
n you may put Yankee on desolsts islam