The Van Buren press., 1893-07-29

The lamented Prof. Olney, of Ann
Arbor, used to tell the story of China
man who stood by the way-side hack
Ing away at log. He never struck
twice in the same spot. A traveller
came along, and seeing the uncertain
hacking said: "Well, John. and what
are you makin?" "Oh, don't know"
said John, maybe God. maybe-may-
be bedstead." Just SO aiinlessly is life
often lived that men scarcely know
the real object of their toll. Many
there are so lacking in definite object
of purpose that their lives prove little
more than even uncertain hacking
away. Many a life goes to waste and
ruin simply because, like an abandoned
and drifting vessel, no guiding pur-
pose directs its course.
And while you are taking aim make
sure to aim high. 1t is an old saying
that If You aim at the barn door You
will never hit the weathercock on the
steeple. 1t simply means that you
must aim high if you would hit high.
1t is true for all real success in life. In
any department of life we rarely get
more than we expect to get Accord
ing to your faith be it unto you," in
wolves principle valid everywhere.
Expectation is the first step in achieve
mept. Confidence is great element of
success, even in game of ball. 1t is
unlikely that we will either hit or
catch ball we are actually ex-
pecting to miss. Someone said
that Columbus had practically
found America before he left
Spain, and so far from being surprised
when he saw the western continent he
would have been surprised if he had
not seen it. A man succeeds according
AS he expects to succeed, and if he says
he shall fail he will fail. Predicting
ultimate failure he simply fulfills his
own prophecy. Not expecting success
one is self-defeated before he begins;
be it for fighting II battle, running
race, playing game, inventing a ma
chine, solving problem, mastering
science, indeed anything, and leave out
the expectancy OF faith and the man is
sure candidate for defeat. On the
other hand, nothing can stop the pro-
gress of one who has faith,
A few years ago young man in my
own hone city had kindle d in his heart
burning desire for an education. He
had faith to believe that he could OBJ
tain it in spite of tremendous difficult
ties in the way. With less than hun
drcd dollars in his pocket, and no cer-
tainty as to where another dollar was
To come from, he started for distant
college Four years from that time he
graduated, with some OF the highest
honors of his class. The reason was,
he believed he could succeed. and he
did. How much better than to "hang
around town" forever afraid to aspire!
Unbelief invites failure in any depart
ment of life while the opposite fact is
that expectant aim is largely the meas
ure of attainment.
But let us know that even high,
definite aim and purpose in life will
not insure success. Impractical dream
ers might claim to possess them. But
the necessity is implied that the high
ideal De puTSueu NipH ms N' oS'
"Fire!' Actual execution is necessary
Carry out your purposes with unending
persistence. good beginning plus a
rood continuance makesa good ending
s,Good luck" says Emerson, lis only
another name for tenacity OF pur-
pose" "a purpose overfixed, ana
then victory or death Is tie
motto of one of our most snccesstul
business men of to-day. Another a
millionaire merchant of New York.
puts the highest quality for success
under the name of ''stick-to-it-iveness'
"By diligence and patience the mouse
ate in two the cable; and little strokes
fell great oaks as Poor Richard says
In his almanac. Yes, to lire. ana
keep on firing, is the way to victory
Get a high, definite aim and purpose IN
,ife and then stick to lit. 1T rs VIII
force; tixedness of purpose perslste ney'
that enables man to do or be what
syc, he sets his mind on doing or being
-Rcv. Gerard I,. L. Hallock, in Young
Mems Era. --