Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-08-03
NO. 1e2.
THE NEXT DUTY,

This is an epoch of elevators. We do
not climb to our rooms in the hotel; we
ride. We do not reach the upper stories
of Stewards by slow and patient steps;
we are lifted there. The Simplon is
crossed by a railroad, and steam has
usurped the place of the Alpen-stock on
the Rhgi. The climb which used to give
US health on Mt. Holyke, and beautiful
prospect, with the reward of rest, is now
purchased for twenty-five cents OF sta
tionary engine.
If our efforts to get our bodies into the
air by machinery were not cOmplemented
by our efforts to get our lives up in the
same way, we might not find much fanlt
with them; but in truth, the tendency
everywhere is to get up in the world with
out climbing. Yearnings after the Intimate
are in the fashion Aspirations for emi-
nence-even ambitions for usefulness
are altogether in advance of the willing
ness for the necessary preliminary disci-
pline and work. The amount of vaporing
among young men and young women,
who desire 10 do something which some-
body else is doing-something far in adj
vance of their present powers-is fearful
and most lamentable. They are not will
ing to climb the stairway; they must 70
up in an elevator They are not willing
to scale the rocks in a walk of weary hours,
under broiling sun; they would go up
in car with an umbrella over their heads.
They were unable, or unwilling, to recog-
nize the fact that, in order to do that very
beautiful thing which some other man is
doing, they must go slowly through the
discipline, through the maturing processes
OF time, through the patient work, which
have made him what he is, and fitted him
for his sphere Of life and labor. In short,
they are not willing TO do their next duty,
and take what comes of it. - i
No man now standing on an eminence
OF influence and power, and doing great !
work. has arrived at his position by going
up in an elevator. He took the stairway.
step by step. He prepared himself by the
work of climbing for the work he is do
ing. He never accomplished an inch OF
his elevation by standing at the foot Of the
stairs with his mouth open and longing.
There is no "royal road to anything good
hot even to wealth Money that has not
been paid for in life is not wealth. 1t goes
as it comes. There is no element of per-
manence in it. The man who reaches his
money in an elevator does not know how
enjoy it; SO 1t is not wealth to him. To
get a high position without climbing to it.
TO win wealth without earning it, to do
fine work without the discipline necessary
10 its performance, to be famous, or use-s
ful or ornamental without preliminary c0sts.
seems to be the universal desire Of the
young. The children would begin where
the fathers leave off. 80 18 eFs
What exactly is the secret of true sue :.
cess in life ? 1t is to do without hinching,
and with utter faithfulness, the duty that
stands next to one When a man has mas
tered the duties around him. he is ready
for those of a higher grade, and he takes
naturally one step upward. When he has
mastered the duties al the new grade, be
goes on climbing. There are no surprises
to the man who arrives at eminence Iegiti-
mateiy. 1t is entirely natural that he
should be there, and he is as much at
home there, aud us little elated, as when
he was working patiently at the foot Of the
stairs. There are heights above him, and
he remains humble, and simple.
Preachments are OF little avail perhaps;
but when one comes into contact with so
many men and women who put aspiration
in the place of perspiratiOn, and yearning
for earnings, and longing for labor, he is
tempted TO say to them "Stop looking up,
and look around you! Do the work that
first comes to your hands, and do it well.
Take no upward step until you come to it
naturally, and have won the power to
hold it. The top, in this little world. is
not so very high, and patient climbing
will bring you to it ere you are aware
DR.. j. G. Holland; Scribner for AuQuSt.