The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-12-04
MISCELLANY.
As n WORTH wHrIE;


size OF the distant orbs, we are hardly micro
scopic atoms compared with their velocity
OF motion our boosted rapidity of travel is
the pace of the slowest snail and the dis.
tances they compass make our Wanted iourn-
eys round the globe shrink to the circuit of
the tiuiest insect that inhabits kernel or a
seed. There are, doubtless, good many bub-
bles of vain glory and assumption, of inflated
conceit and flushed self-suficiency, that might
advantageously. be burst by q thoughtful
study of this and kindred branches of science.
There is, however, an opposite danger in
such considerations which is that of think
ing that if we are so insignificant it matters
little what we do or how we do it. Not only
thoughts of the unreasonable universe, but
OF our own planet, with it's needs, and human
ity with its many cravings, have this tendency.
The contrast between the greatness of what
there is to be done and the minuteness of
what we are able to do, strikes many a one
with discouraging if not palsying effect
and the question, /" is it worth while to try -
comes like sad refrain, instead of the hope
full. earnest tones that summon effort and
promise success. Especially is this manifest
after the first flush of youthful enthusiasm is
over, and before the realities of life come to
be fathomed. A young man sets out with
some great purpose in view He longs, per-
haps. for culture, and begins the task with
fresh and jealous energy. But as new fields
open before him, and he discovers how vast
are the realms of knowledge as he becomes
acquainted with the leaders in science and lit
erature and observes how much they have ac-
complished, how deeply they have delved into
the secrets of nature, and with what power
they have worked he contrasts his own small
abilities with theirs and concludes mournfuly
that it is not worth while to set so insignifi.
cant factor to work upon such vast problems
So he withdraws the energies that had already
acquired some facility, and forsakes the aim
which had once inspired him.
Another youth is commencing business
career, and conceives the noble purpose of
carrying into it the strictest integrity. He
sees and despises the mean tricks of trade
and resolves to stoop to none of them. He
even hopes, by his influence to win many
who have swerved from honest dealings back
to the path of justice and honor. But after
! brave beginning, tho eysten~ of commercial
| fraud appears SO intricate, those engaged in
it SO numerous, and the difficulties of with
standing it SO great, that he deems it "not
worth while y to try with his single hand to
stem the current ! SO he snecumbs, and drifts
into dishonor. So, again, the man or woman
of benevolent impulses looks out upon power
ty. misery and vice, and longs to do some
! thing to mitigate them. But after number
of desultory attempts, the wretchedness APP
pears so interviewer with the lives of the suf-
ferers, so hard to reach, SO complex in its
causes, SO wide spread in it's effects, and his
own powers so inadequate to deal with it, that
he retires in despair relaxes his efforts, and
lapses into gradual Indifference. II is not
worth while" he says, "to put my small eff.
forts into so gigantic and complicated an en-
terprise."
&c. in numberess ways, does the enthusi-
assn of youth, upheld, it may be, by an over
estimate of self, ooze away the larger realities
of life present themselves " If cannot be
a Raphael, will paint no pictures - if
cannot be great statesman will do nothing
to uphold good government or encourage 10y
al citizenship - eff cannot be Howard,
| will make no effort to relieve suffering !"
"if cannot do great things, l will not do
small Ones" Such are the conclusions of many
bright and noble ambitions, of many worthy
and valuable afforts, of many high hopes and
rich promises. Such too, is the cause of much
of the inefficency in the work of the world.
Great genius, great talents, great powers are
rare and exceptional. True, they can and do
produce marked effects, in their various direc-
tions but the main dependence of the world
is not upon them, but npon the average men
and women, each of whom possesses some
power, which, when unitedly put forth, will
accomplish wonders. If each little coral in
sect had view of the mighty task that was to
be done, and decided that, as he could do sc
little, it was not worth while to join in the en-
terprise, where would now be the Florida
reefs? So, If every person of small or mod
crate ability should shrink back from noble
endeavors, because he can do so little the
world would soon become bankrupt. 1t wonld
be as if the soldiers, drawn up in line of bat.
their own incompetence, and retire, leaving
the captains and generals alone to decide the
Issue.
Beside this, no one can tell how much pow
er he can develop by efforts, while it is quite
certain that without it he can develop none
Power and skill of every kind grow by exer
else and wither by inactivity. The rares
genius may dwindle into inefficiency for the
lack OF diligent application, while the man OF
moderate talent and steadfast perseverance,
may become potent force in society. Yet
whether he does or not, he has his own worl
; marked out for him-his daily business, hi
domestic responsibilities, his duties to hi
country, to society, to the poor. needy and liz
norant. No one else can fulfill them If h
neglects them they go undone, and societ.
will be a loser by him, to what extent he can
not tell The self depreciation which prompts
one to question the worth while " of effort
will find its best cure in forgetting self alto
: gether. There is something to be done. lie
I 81. IA 4 a..