The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-09-06
Possibilities,

EN- m0H HAS UOn0, man may
dos" and, acting on that provcrb, how
many dlfticulties are overcome and prac-
tical results obtained from apparently i'm
practicable theories.
Possibilities are the rounds to ambitions
ladder; the tangible things which We
grasp so readily, and thus elevate our.
selves to heights We desire to attain. That
Is not true life that attempts impossible
ities; that spends the moments of time in
attempting to penetrate the arcana of hid
den mysteries, and dies unsatisfied and un.
recognized. The foundation must be firm,
or the building will be insecure. Prove
your position, and then maintain it. The
old adage, Let well enough Alone" has
given way to the new system of improve
mont that carries everything before it.
Improve! improvel'' is the cry of to-
day; and yesterdays failures are subject
cd to the necessary test, and made to con-
form to the present exigencies and nine
tecnth-century principles. This is the
very spirit of reform. This adds new
features of science, mechanics and mer-
cantiie and literary pursuits. One man
proves that steam can be made useful, and
applies it to his own peculiar idea. An
other sees where still greater power can
be impaired by it, and his suggestion
touches the spring in another brain; and
80 the idea goes on developing, improv-
ing and bringing out its highest capabili-
ties.
God, in making man superior being
has given him such vast control, and the
power of subordinating to his will, that it
is impossible for finite mind to put .
limit to finite capacity. Nothing but Di-
vine power working through man could
enable him to accomplish, successfully,
one-half that he undertakes. The wild
beasts of the forest are brought into SUBJ
lection; the untamable forces of Nature
are harnessed to the chariot of improve
mcnt; the winds and the waves perform
their part with due alacrity.
We are but cultivating the seeds that
others have sown, and we, in our turn,
must plant for p0sterity. Whatsoever
man soweth, that shall he also reap"
We make our own harvests, and if the
reaping-time comes not in this life, we
shall obtain our increase hereafter. But
there are more rcapers than seed-sowers-
that is, sewers of good seed-men who are
living on the product Of others toll and
care, and doing nothing themselves toward
the advantage of those who are to succeed
them.
often wonder what some people think
Of; or if they ever think at all. They
deny their own ability, and confess help
leSsnesS that is o reprOach to themselves
and to their Maker. How true it is that
1--WE never know what VIC can do until we
have tried" and many one has found
himself dioested Of himself Launched upon
sea of troubles, and obliged to use efforts
that were only lying dormant within him.
Man is full of dormant energies, many of
which do not need to be aroused until the
| time of emergency, while others are in
constant demand, and every day some new
capacity is aroused by the cry, awake
thou sleeper!'
Could you ask for a wider field than the
whole world?
However well you do, it may be posi-
bic for you to do better. This il not to
encourage discomfort; far otherwise, for I
hold that that man is only truly cOntented
who is satisfied that he has done the very
best that he could. The frog that aimed
to be as large as an OK attempted an inn
possibility, and persisted miserably. The
rose may say, 81 cannot be lily; but l
will do my best to be perfect flower, the
sweetest of my kind" and the effort is
appreciated.
Man, made in the image of God, is
capable of attaining to wonderful heights
of moral, mental and physical excellence,
with positive good to start upon. There
must be . positive element before there
can be any Improvement. There is NO ad-
vance in quicksand.
Try yourself, and find out of what you
are capable. "As thy day, so shall thy
strength be-" and the vail that falls before
you and hides each successive step OF
your progress will stand like wall OF
adanlant, when you trespass on Gods do
main, and are checked by the warning
words, THUS far shalt thou 60, and No
| farther"
Mans own heart realizes what are its
possibilities, and knows how much the
wisdom of this generation is indebted to
the past, and responsible to the future
Sunbeam.