The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-07
WAKING UP.

u happens sometimes 10 the mos
modest and retiring man to wake up and
find himself great. lie has been living a
quiet, honest life. doing his duty the
best he could, and trying to be true and
faithful: the course and system of things
moves him along, sets him in a cross
road OF events, he plays the gentle
man. does the right thing, unconsciously
makes a great hit. and becomes the hero
Of the hour. Lord Bacon says that when
a man has had piece Of good-luck like
that It is safest to make his bow quickly
and retire.
But no matter how unpretendIng we
may be, how willing we may be to be
just and kind and lowly and pass through
life peacefully, every human being, by vir-
tue Of the divine that is in him. waits
for the opportunity OF asserting himself,
Of waking up. He does not desire to be
a Napoleon, President, Colonel, or Judge,
but he wants TO be enforced TO yield
his spark, and know what IS in him.
He wants the depths Of his soul stirred,
be given the assurance Of his manhood.
Before all other desires and ambitions
we crave the honest approval OF our
own hearts. IT is when we have fallen
out with ourselves, and have forfeited orr
hopes Of what is good and true within
us. that we seek in the pomp and glory
and vain titles of the world the best
substitutes and consolation for our fatal
losses.
We are all made for some good pur-
pose; we have all our special adaptations
and our latent energies. Perhaps 1t is
these that are uneasy within us, and are
eager to come into action. And they
have to await the time and place Of their
manifestation-their Epiphany. Our great
mistakes are made when, instead Of being
aroused TO honorable endeavors; a natural
putting forth of our energies after their
true objects. we waste our strength on
vain shows. and discredit all our noble
ness with natural result of vexation OF
spirit instead OF profound qualification.
No mans preparation for life or educa-
ton is begun until he is called on. in
very fact, TO put forth all his energy.
to summon all his power, TO devote for
a season all his heart, soul, life, and
strength to the accomplishment Of some
good thing. Whether he succeeds or
fails, he is a man in his own eyes. in
his own soul; he has proved himself, he
has won his spurs. a thousand masters
Of every art and science cannot make him
what, by such an effort, he has made
himself And this is the education that
poverty. disappointment. hardness. and
struggle with fortune gives. This IS the
way that adversely compels US to draw
from the depths Of our being its greatest
and produce from our souls
their most precious jewels. This is the
Epiphany Of real life.
Manhood's cravings are profound and
honorable. 1t is the inebrety Of the
world, the flesh and the devil, that per-
verts or benumbs them. Long years ago |
a whole world darkened with idolatry.
and all ,besotted with vice, yet waited |
and dimly hoped for great manifesto
tion-and it came. The people that sat |
in darkness saw a great Light; and that |
has filled the earth. life shone as the |
light Of men. 1t is profound and I'M |
deniable truth. palmer now than ever
before. The earnest expectation, OF the
creature waiteth for the manifestation OF
the Sons Of Cod the world earnestly
waits for the ascendancy Of the Day
Star the high noon, the full realization
Of Christianity.