The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-12
-EDITOR's CHAT,
Danger Of Distrust i'm Ourselves and Value
of Self-Confidence.


of Self-Confidence.
Undue sensitiveness and a too lowly estimate of
ones own powers is much TO be regretted as
self-conceil and too exalted opinion of ones own
ability.
Indeed tie man possessed of the latter qualities
r. often the most successful as the world measures
success. Many man whom you would take to
be ambitious. pushing and sef-confdent. is
pressed with sad conviction Of his inferority,
and by il dwRrfed and never atiains his ideals.
Undue humility, perhaps even befittine humility,
holds q back sadly in the race OF life.
A story is told OF q Scottish viiiager who prayed
daily and feryeniiy for better opinion of himself.
He realized that firm conviction of his
talents and abilities was OF great importance In
this world
Often the with the greatest ability, but who
estimates himself humby will shrink aside and
let the n1an with greater aud less desert
step before him If expeci Others TO estimate
us highly ,ieu we must put high estimate upon
ourselve>- Not very many people viii take the
trouble t. seek aud to draw ont the modest merit
that keep itself Ia the shade The energetic sue
ccssful people OF This world are too busy in push
ing. esch "a himself to have time TO boost up
others Each iaust make his own way and his
own place iis tiIis world.
It will 81 ca be found that people who assume "A
great dea are not infreqneniiy taken at their
estimate 81 themselves. They ask for what they
want asd never let chance 20 by. and though
they may meet with rebuffs they som etimes make
asuccessfui venture
Seil-coufideuce and assurance often succeed
where real worth and ability fail. Many people
do not succeed IN this world because they are
ready TO believe that if il Is Gods will that they
gain suci. prize i. will come their way without
Ihoir pushing. This is a mistake
Suppose the same reasoning be applied TO your
einaer. Suppose you sit sgii and say: If TO
have dinner today it will without any effort
of mine, 30 iscre will wait
Js not iliai absurd And yet that is what many
good mau practically says about the place he is TO
occupy iu is world.
The Lord helps those who help themselves and
the moro We do for ourselves the more help We
will receive.
Gods Providence, which orders all things. should
be Used 10 help US to be resigned after we have
tried and failed, but never as All excuse for not
doing Gus best.
PRIVATIoEs FOR ARTS SAKE
Our greatest musicians made practical failures OF
their lives and lived In poverty and priyaton be-
cause they were over-seusiive and lacked the con-
fdence 10 push and persevere until their works
were recognized. Beethoven The sublimest NJ usic-
ian Of ages died In obscuriiy and poverty because
Of bis shrinking and tipnid nature, and not until
while musicians Of less genius and more assurance
were being e0grted and toasted. There are hun
dreds and hundreds Of examples that could be used
20 illustrate the lack OF self-confdence Then, lei
us cultivate confidence In ourselves and IL we trust
ourselves others viii trust But let us base oui
confidence on merit which alone is enduring and
leads 10 high rewards.
SELECT NEw-YEAR RHYMLs.
year tilal's new,
sEy that's blue,
a brow that's bright
And tongue that's true
Merriiy these will bear you on,
Though pudding be scanty and plums be none
Bring me rose and bring a ring,
And bring me a little plum cake. my deare
THE old years out, and the new years in,
And we must have something TO make US CHEEKY
Poke up the fire. higher and higher
Light me the candles, and draw the curtain
Old Jack Frost may hunt ill he's lost
But lac never will find tie way in that's certain