The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-01-21
"Having Done All, Stand ~

No verse in the Bible is more signifi-
cant and suggestive than that in Luke
which tells us of Jesus: "When the
time was come that He should be re-
ceived up, He steadfastly set His face to
90 to Jerusalem"
Imagination fills out these simple de-
tails; and we see the little company jour
neying on-the disciples, in childish ig-
norance soon to be enlightened, contend
ing for the first places in the earthly
kingdom so near and real to their dreams;
walking with them, Jesus, alone, though
in their midst fed with meat they knew
not of, the earnest, lofty face set stead
lastly toward Jerusalem, the feet press
ing yunshrinkmgly the road to certain
agony sand death rs AS they went in
the$way,n we read that He said to one
who would have joined him iii, '''-r--7E
No man, having put his hand to the
pillow, and looking back, is fit for the
kingdom of God RI }ttsr ,, sgst.
Steadfastness may almost be deemed
Meyirtue without which no other is pos
sible. We often see natures rich with
every quality but this; attractive, lovely,
bright, with a genius that Eliminates
everything it touches, but lacking a per-
sistent steadfastness. Such people have
a talent for brilliant beginnings, their
friends are constantly wrought up with
great expectations; but they accomplish
nothing, and finally fritter away even
their own powers. 'sUnstable as water,
thou shalt not excel, - has been life YER
dict on many a modern Reuben. '
Dogged obstinacy is not an altogether
convenient trait in a child; but mother
may well rejoice in the little will so
strong and determined, seeing in it the
germ of noble firmness that shall in
after years, like a strong tower, with
stand all assaults of fate and be refuge
for many.
1t hardly needs Emerson to tell us
that the characteristic of heroism is
its persistency." Looking back over
history, we perceive steadfastness to be
the heroic quality, that which makes a
character, to all time, admirable in the
worlds eyes. The man who is "a mush
of concession" trucker and waverer,
may win kind of contemptuous, tenn
porary popularity, but he soon goes to
his own place' in public esteem.
Wherefore, seeing we are accomplished
about by SO great a cloud of witnesses,
shall we not strive to cultivate this he
role virtue of simple steadfastness.
Once sure we are in the right, then to
be steadfast -steadfast as the granite
rock, against which the incoming waves,
with sound and fury, dash themselves
again and again, only to be repealed and
shattered steadfast as the mountain
brook that sings,
Men may come and men may go,
But go on forever
steadfast as nature, whose suns rise and
set, whose seasons wax and wane, no
matter what connections agitate the lit
tie world of men. A worthy purpose
once formed, then go steadfastly on
toward our chosen goal, no matter what
lions threaten the forward path, no mat
ter for outward opposition, difficulties,
ANNOUNCEMENTS, no matter even for
% the traitor in the heart" whispering
self-doubt and despair. 1t is something
when, in those inner dialogues known
to every soul, one self can say to the
other: Eyes, know what you hint is
largely true. The way is long, hard.
steep. / am weak, and / Journey alone.
AS you say, probably shall fail at last;
nevertheless, shall go on"
When the path seems to end against
blank wall, and we come, perforce, to a
stop, still one can, as Paul saws,
Stand" and, "having done all,
stand" Walls finally crumble before a
determined steadfastness.
To often ponder the life of Him
whose face was set SO steadfastly toward
the Jerusalem OF His betrayal, agony,
death, may vivify and strengthen our
own weak steadfastness, and enable us
to build better than we know or dream.
p. Thorfae, IN Register.