The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-03-28
The Successful Life.

Will l succeed in life? How often this ques-
tion presents itself to the earnest student, who
like Albert Charltore, talks of "vocation" and
"goal!" In the quiet of his study, among
mirthful mpanions-everywhe it accompa-
nies him, and will not down at his bidding nor
vanish at wave of his hand.
Before answering the question, it is necessa-
ry to define the term success. Its generally
received definition is vague, if not erroneous.
With the idea of success is popularity assoca-
ted that of eminence-of flash and of brillian-
cy. But this is not essentially true man
engaged in some trivial enterprise may meet
with success-he can do no more who conquers
a world. Success" then, dis the attainment
of proposed object" He who accomplishes
what he undertakes, be that Insignificant or
otherwise, succeeds.
How often in hasty, inconsiderate judgment
have we accounted lives of success failures,
simply because renown and eminence have not
attended them. The lily that blooms unseen
in the marshy dell accom- mplishes the purpose of
its creation, and lives as successful life as the
more conspicuous of its kindred whose graceful
forms are mirrored in the limpid waters of the
public fountain The insect bird that wanders
from flower to flower, cHlling sweets IRON the
fragrant chalice, makes a success of its life as
well as the eagle whose broad pinions cut the
ether in his spiral march to the sun. so with
regard to human affairs. Modest worth has its
=
ed with success. The author OF kind word
may be as well beloved and gratefully re-
membered as the author of a volume.
"If you too weak to journey
Up the mountain, steep and high,
You can stand within the valley
While the multitudes 60 by;
You can chant in happy measure.
As they slowly pass along"
And YOUR life will be none the less a success
for so doing, for, continues the poet:
"Though they may forget the singer,
They will not forget the song"
Man is said to be the architect of his own for
tune-he is also the author of his own success
He measures the goal of his ambition, aid
through his own effort succeeds in attaining it.
Accom- plishing this, though loftier heights are
vet beyond, he reclnes in the evergreen shade,
content and happy. Chance seldom or never
renders him more elevated or illustrious. In
this respect he is what he makes himself
Hence the proprety and Importance of aiming
high:
Calm high: it's better far to see fond Hope
Crushed and bleeding and wear the fetters of
Cruel Disappointment in the struggle
For greatness, than to sit idly down and
Breathe the air of the valley, when mountains,
Capped with broOdng clouds, invite your tireless
Feet to scale their craggy tops, and tread heights
Unknown save to olympian gods who still,
As in former times, control the changing
Destinies Of the human race"
But aiming high is not the only thing essen
tial TO eminent success-there must also be per-
severance and work.
The value of perseverance cannot be over
estimated. 1t is the life of enterprise; it in
sures success. Great undertakings have failed
on the eve OF completion through its absence !;
and thus eminence has been lost to men of
merit and hard work, who, in addition, have
not possessed it. The hour of victory does not
come suddenly; but oftentimes after the long
and patient siege. The greatness which may
be reached by single step is not far removed
from mediocrity and is often as meagre and
transitory as the exertion required in gaining
it. We must mount the ladder round by round,
remembering that in idleness we retrograGe in
continued effort alone we ascend.
But the exertion in which we are to persevere
must not be play, but hard, earnest work.
Writes Mary R. Milford "Scott and Southey,
the only two men of the last age who have left
imperishable names, worked like drag horses"
To the popular mind there is something incred-
ulous in the idea of an accomplished scholar,
gifted, and of large intellect, toiling for months
even years, in the production of poem the
reading of which requires but few minutes.
Nevertheless it is true. The artists conception
may come like flash of light but to trans
NIT it to canvas, where it shall glow with an
intense reality, requires more time. The sculp-
tors eye in a moment may see Beauty impris-
oned in the rugged marble, yet months must
elapse ere skill and work can effect her liberia
ton. 1t may be Raphael placing grain by grain
the powdered steel into appropriate and pecu-
liar setting; or Michael Angelo, with nimble
fingers, yet patient and laborious work, liberia
ting the i'm prsoned angel The true poet is
both artist and sculptor; his picture must be
faithful and true, his statue faultless. In his
case especially, if they grind exceeding fine,
''The mills Of the gods grind slowly"
Not authorship alone, however, is an end
less task. In the pulpit and the bar-any-
where-eminent success is attained only by
work. The treasures of learning are hidden
from the carelessness of the idle seeker, but
they reveal themselves to work. From what
ever point of ascent, work Chambers the noun
tain with surest step to
''Where Fame's proud temple shines afar."
Itself the key at whose magic touch the we'll
barred doors swing invitingly open.