The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-05-25
A Quiet Power for Good.

rleu on by many persons IN various
ways, the importance and dignity of
which are seldom recognized. 1t is
not that of doing great or brilliant
or illustriOus things, but of making
it possible that others shall do them.
When men see one who surprises
them by some exceptionally fine
achievement !; the author of some
brilliant discovery or grand inven-
ton ; some strong statesman who
becomes a power for good to his coun-
try ; some wise reformer or philan-
thropist who brings light and help to
the ignorant and unfortunate, they
are content to admire and honor the
man without inquiring into the
sources which may have fed his ge-
MUS or inspired his enthusiasm.
Yet there are none of the truly
great men of the world. who do not
owe much of their greatness to the in
f1uence of persons of whom the world
has never heard. Most of them
are conscious of this, and gladly
and gratefully recall the inspiration
encouragement, or wisdom gained
from an honOred parent, a respected
teacher, a thoughtful friend. Much,
however, of such influence has been
unconsciously received. Noble lives
are continually being nourished by
other noble lives, and none can tell
how largely they may be contribut-
ing to the worlds welfare and Joy,
simply making it possible for others
to develop faculties and produce re-
suits which for themselves would
have been impossible.
To those who are not vain and sell.
fish the possibility of this quiet but
effective work will appeal with much
force. Only few can distinguish
themselves in any department of life;
but all can in some way enrich the
lives and forward the labors of these
few. Take the home, for instance,
that shelters the infancy and trains
the childhood of one born with a
large capacity in some given direc.
ton. How much of what he may
be to the world depends upon the in
fuences which shape his earliest
years! The father and the mother,
with perceptions sharpened by loye,
can stimulate and encourage what
ever is best within him, can fortify
his resolution, direct his education,
open up to him opportunities. and
thus prepare for him life of great
value, in which they also will truly
live and rejoice. Then there is the
faithful, intelligent and wise teacher,
living a quiet. perhaps an obscure
life, but so shaping the minds and
stimulating the powers of her pupils
that some of them perhaps attain to
heights which she herself could never
reach. She accompanies them only
a little way, and they leave her, but
she has furnished them with some of
the conditions on which their future
career of usefulness and prominence
are founded.
Another, with similar desires of
doing good, has pecuniary means at
his command, and uses it for this
purpose. He will, perhaps, establish
a bright and ingenious youth in bus
mess, who presently becomes one of
the most honored of merchant
princes or he assists a struggling
artist, who, in the future, delights
the world with his creations or he
enables the scientists to proceed with
his researches, until he makes some
remarkable contribution to the
knowledge of the world or he helps
young man to pursue the education
he graves, who finally rises to benefit
the whole world with his talent and
usefulness. Though he never could
have lived any of these lives himself,
he has, by timely and judicious aid,
fostered them in others. and he right.
~ enjoys large share in all the ben.
Efficient results which follow.
Even less manifest and direct
efforts in this direction are not lost.
Very often gifted men and women
have some deficiency, some fault. or
some folly, which interferes with
their usefulness and Injuries their in.
fuence. Sometimes we see sister,
wife, or friend, carefully guard
ing this weak point, supplying the
vacuum or skillfully turning aside the
evil consequences that would other
wise follow. Or the home will be
specially adapted to minister to such
needs, leisure will be afforded, the
petty cares of life will be Withdrawn,
and all the conditions favorable to
the utmost success will be intelli-
gently secured, Few know the de-
gree to which such efforts and care
contribute to the power of gifted