The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-01-22
Elements Of Success. "
LECTURE DELIVERED AT THE TEACHERS INsTI
TUTE, AT JACKSON, JAN. 2, 1874, BY ADAa
S. SCOTT.

Success How the heart bounds at
that exulting word This is the word
which causes many brain to burn with
ambitious yearnings-man's aim from the
moment he places his foot upon the earth
till he lays his weary gray head in the
grave. Success the exciting motive to
all endeaver, and its crowning glory
"Oh," says the young man, "If II could
only succeed in attaining reputation
for scholastic ability, for professional
skill, l could then rest on my laurels and
be happy" Success What is it that
people generally mean by this term Z
Should we appeal to one hundred men as
we meet them on the busy street, FIVE
sixths of them would reply substantially:
'The lucrative prosecution of business
enterprise-the accumulation of a for
tune" while the remaining sixth would
be variously divided, according to the
bent of each ones mind or disposition; but
the underlying principle which actuates
all in the strife for success is the reputation
the respect-it will inspire in others
for them. The man of wealth hears re-
marks thrown about here and there that
he is possessed of a princely fortune,
capable of accomplishing great results if
he chooses, and he chuckles triumphant
ly within himself over the thought II
am successful" The lawyer who has
patiently and laboriously plodded from in
significance up to influential eminence,
smiles when men speak of his profound
legal ability, and thinks it, if he does not
utter aloud the sentiment, 81 am success
ful." The diligent scholar, whose mind
is stored by the lucubrations of many
years, hears his name on the lips of the
intelligent-the intellectual, sees 1T on
the printed page and accounts himself
successful.
The constitution or organization of
man mentally-that part of his nature
which is capable of experiencing the feel
ing of satisfaction-is composite. The
distinctive parts, intellectually, moral
ity, sociality, and propensity, or the Or
ganism which minister to his per-
sonal security, have each their
appropriate spheres, yet are so
constituted that they can, when prop
erly directed act harmoniously together
or in mutual correlation. The more
harmonious their activity, the more
perfect their mutual reciprocity, the more
efficient and successful will be the man.
1t is not how mnch teacher may know,
but to what end and purpose he knows
it that constitutes his proficiency.
Though he may have gone through all
the courses of education, at all the
schools and colleges and has perfectly
well constructed and disciplined mind
and yet he utterly fails to solve the prob
lem of success.
Your aim is no doubt, to be a good
teacher; a noble aim if you attain the
end by noble means The American
people have frequently been taunted with
the approbrious accusation, that their
motto is Get money-honestly if you
can, but at any rate get money" Some
of our teachers unfortunately fall in
with this MAXIM and then wonder why
they are not successful.
Now Mr.. Successful Teacher, may 1
ask what are some of the essential ele-
ments2 Lead us into the secret of your
success. very well, if you will not con-
slider me egotistical l will reveal to you
the secret In the first place 1 have a
nell culticated mind 1t is this which gives
the teacher a key to the mysteries, and
unloclzs the store-houses of wisdom
Then we have the injunction "CuLivate
the mind Doubtless, some will listen to
this command without reflection, until
they rest unaffected by it just as the per-
son who is accustomed to the clatter of
machinery sleeps undisturbed by its
sound. Diversity is absolutely essential
to the growth of mind, and diversity of
language is also necessary as an aid to
vigorous thought. As is generally UNI
derstood education consists in going to
school certain length of time and grad
uating;' certain number of books are
committed to memory in rotation, and
the work is finished. Is it? Is'the ed
ucation ever completedP | answer it is
not: not at least until the mind is well
regulated and thoroughly balanced
knowledge of letters is only the primary
school which prepares us for its grand
application in the school of experience
In order to impart knowledge successful
ly we must make attractive truths to be
inculcated, and learn to adapt them to
the understanding with fitting language
and apt illustrations
"Then we must add, Industry and Econ
onty 1t is very essential that the teacher
in order to be successful, be industrious
and economical, that he avail himself of
every possible opportunity for advance
ment. 1t is said that the devil tempts
every man; an idle man tempts the very
devil himself. We must be actively en-