The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-19

1t is one of the commonest mistakes of
life, and also one of the most radical
sources of evil, to wait for opportunities.
Many persons, while admitting the paucity
Of their lives and regretting that they con-
tribute so little to the general stock of
happiness, or to their own improvement,
attribute it to lack of opportunity. They
are looking for some marked event. or
some grand opening, through which they
hope TO develop what may be in them, and
thus make potent character which now,
for lack of motive, is barren and uulruit-
full.
The waste of life caused by such mistak-
en- waiting is incalculable. For the real
materials out of which our characters are
forming, are the hourly occurrences of
everyday life. Every claim Of duty, the
employment of each minute, the daily veXa-
tons or troubles we are called upon to bear,
the momentary decisions that must be
made, the casual interview, the contact
with SIN or sorrow in everyday dress-all
these, and many others as small and as
constant, are the real opportunities Of life.
These we are continually embracing or neg
lecting, and out of them we are forming n
character that is fast consolidating into the
shape we gave it, for good or for evil.
Those who are waiting for important events,
grand issues, and marked crises, overlook
this great fact, and drift aimlessly along the
current that seems to them so placid as to
require no effort, but which is bearing
down with fatal swiitness all those who do
not theoretically breast its waves and re-
sist its powers. 1854
The best proofs Of n noble character lie
not SO much in the manner of doing great
things or bearing great burdens, as in the
way Of receiving. the common events of eve
ry-day life; of performing its duties, bear
ing its crosses, and resisting its tempta-
tions. There are not few who look upon
the great contests of life with almost long
ing, who fancy that they could suffer mar
tyrdom with iirmness, or severe afiction
with calmness; while they yet render them
selves and others wretchod by their discon-
tent over triHes, or selfishly refuse to
sacrifice small interest, while longing in
Imagination for opportunities to sacrifice
all. The truest heroism is that which is
unseen, unknown.
Public martyrdom, of every shade, has
certain eelat and popularity connected
with it, that will often bear men up to en-
dure with courage its trials but those who
suffer alone, without sympathy, for truth
or principle; those who, unnotced by men,
maintain their post, and in obscurty,
and amid discouragement, patiently fulfil
their trust these are the real heroes
of the age, and the suffering they bear is
the truest martyrdom.
There are doubtless in the lives of all
great crises, large opportunities, marked
epochs. But he who waits for them, will
be i'll prepared to meet them when they
come. The strength to pass through them
nobly and worthily, must have accumulated
little by little, in the patient and resolute
struggle everyday life. He who fails
here will surely fail in great things. If we
neglect our little opportunities, we shall
lack the power to embrace the larger ones.
Chances are lying open to us every moment
Of our lives. We need not wait for them;
they are waiting for us to embrace them.
Ifwe watch through q single day we shall
doubtless discover hundreds of opportani-
ties of both doing and receiving good, that
we have perhaps hitherto passed by with
Indifference and by diligent assiduity in
seeking for and embracing these, we shall
be prepared to encounter the fiercer storms
of life that may await US, or to take advan-
tage OF the future that may open for our
good,