The Portland daily press., 1881-04-01
The Success of Failure.

The Success of Failure.
Rev. J. W. Lowden delivered his lecture in
the First Free Baptist course, in Casco street
church last evening before good sized audi
ence.
Mr. Lowden's subject was "Success of Fail
ure," or the ministry of failure in its relation
to true success. The speaker said people start
out in life ambitious, looking forward to bril-
liant future in store; but as they advance the
goal is ever far in advance, and in their disap-
pointment are led to consider why they are so
impeded-why it is that over so many of their
efforts failure must be written. Then they
discover the operation of law which may be
termed the Success of failure One has
only to examine closely to find that in every
failure of the past there lie coffined impure
motives and ignoble aspirations which must
die.
In the development of latent powers, as well,
one often meets with discouragements and
difficulties, but the tendency is to cause all to
become acquainted with themselves and
from these defeats also spring independence of
thought and manly individuality. One strikes
out anew in a new path, becomes more self
reliant and independent
Failure is potent as an educating factor, in
tellectually and morally. The only truly sue
cessful life is that of the man who fills the
place for which God created him and and the
way in which he fills it. The lecturer illus
trasted his discourse with sketches from the
lives of our greatest men, often in a humorous
vein, which was pleasing to his audience, and
closed by saying 'our possibilities are great mot
that we would enlarge our destiny but dis
charge onr duties pertaining to the sphere in
which we are placed. Feeling more fully
than ever that 'our guide, and fortunes
guide, are one,' we go forth strong to will,
and, we trust, to do, and although it is plain
enough that our path leads up the mountain
on which at times will rest the storm cloud
flashing forth its lightnings and defying our
approach, yet we know what and who is above
and beyond the cloud, and we go forth in that
faith bravely to do aud dare, knowing that in
our failure we have been successful in many
things; we have learned to know ourselves and
our capabilities
Mr.. Lowden is pleasing speaker, and he
held the closest attention of his audience dur
ing the hour and quarter occupied in the de
livery of his lecture
Personal
Reuben N. Pool, we'll known resident of
Peaks Island, was taken sick with cramps in
the bowels on Tuesday night and was relieved
by a physician. Wednes ay night he was
again attacked and died yesterday morning.
He was about 50 years of age.
Ex-Governor Coburn is at the Falmout h
Hotel.
Mr.. Lapham Of the Maine Farmer was in
town yesterday.
Capt John Dennis and wife left for trip to
Washington Territory yesterday.
Mellen S. Harlow, graduate of CAPE Elz-
beth High School, has been offered the posi-
ton of assistant in the Mechanical Laboratory
at Hoboken, N. j., by the President of the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers,
and will probably accept
Mr.. Fred S. Hartford of Portland, formerly
deputy sheriff, was admitted to the bar at
Skowhegan last Saturday morning, after pass
ing rigid examination by the bar commit
tee.
Mrs. Hunt-Morgan will give Bible reading
at o'clock on Friday afternoon, April /, in
Mechanics Hall Her subject will be "The
Scape-goat."
The New England press party, which visited
New York under the marshalship of Mr.. David
S. Thomas to attend the opening of the Bar
num-London show, presented handsome
gold-headed cane to that gentleman while on
their way back in the cars Wednesday. The
gift was purchased at Tiffany's, aud the donors
included representatives of the press of Bos-
ton, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Provi-
dence, Hartford and New Haven. The pre-
sentation speech was made by Col Edwin
Stearns of Boston, and Mr.. Thomas replied
thereto in appropriate terms
Mr.. George A. Haskell of Skowhegan, a
travelling salesman for Lord. Haskell & Co.
of this city, died in Scion last week, after a
brief ilness-bleeding at the lungs Mr.. Has
kell and his wife, who was daughter of E.
G. Savage, Esq, were called to attend tue fun
eral of Mrs. Savage, when he was taken with
severe bleeding spell from which he never
rallied. He was highly esteemed by large
circle of friends and acquaintance.
AdjUtant General Beal was at the Falmouth
Hotel yesterday.