The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-04-11

HOW COululOIl IldS DcCOIuC CllO GA
preston, when some man has per-
formed all act requiring unwonted
skill, or who has shown genius or learn
ing of more than ordinary magnitude,
in fact, has astonished mankind by in
PRODUCING into the world some wonder
full creation either of art or ethics, che
is a great manw When we consider
that nothing he has performed is be-
yond human skill; that what we today
consider great is taken up by some
other human being and enlarged upon,
expanded, and magnified until the
creation of today sinks into insignifi
canoe, we are irresistibly drawn to
the conclusion that nothing human is
truly great. Man becomes really great
only as he Apr laches the divine, and
to reach this divine state is never ac-
complished by attainingt to lofty heights,
by seeking fame and adulation; but
like the lowly Nazarene make life such,
that through life of good works, hui
mility, charity, and brotherly love
greatness will shine through every act
of life. While there is a selfish thought
in man, there can be no true greatness;
and while many men have attained
fame through the performance of some
extraordinary act, or the product of a
massive intellect, who have not sought
or court ed notoriety, 1t, nevertheless, has
been thrust upon them, and they have
accepted it, and utilized it until they
have fancied themselves away and be-
yOnd their fellow human, even superior
to God himself: but some other pro-
duct of the human mind is given to
the world, and they are forced to the
conclusion that there is something in
fnitely greater than anything within
their vision, and they shrink into medi-
ocrity. What is this great force that
ever presents itself to man: this force
before which the greatest intellects are
dwarfed? 1t is God, who alone is great.
There is no human greatness. The
simplest act performed, when done in
aspirit of love, the hand that is stretched
out toward the weak and faltering
brother and points out the way of true
and honest manhood, who cheers the
afflicted in every walk of life: who con-
siders every creature human, and en-
titled to chance in life; who has hope
and faith in the salvation of the weak
est and most abject wretch, is that of
the truly great man, for the nearer he
approaches that character of manhood
the nearer he approaches the only per-
feet man, the Christ. We believe in
honOring every man at his true worth
1t serves as an inspiration to the bal.
ance of mankind, by holding up before
them the achievements, the accomplish
ments of some uncommon character
but to defy man simply because Ger.
tain circumstances or conditions have
made it possible for him to accomplish
some unlocked for end, that, with like
opportunities, could be easily done by
hundreds of his fellow men, seems
uncalled for and has a tendency tC
make servile those who are loudest il
their praises. Alexander, Napoleon
and Washington. of the past; Lin
coin, Grant, Bismarck of our day
magnificent men, noble characters
grand lives; but great as were
their best efforts they are but common
place compared with the ruler of the
; universe These men are but dust
Sacred ever let it remain in the hearts
of men, but do not build affairs aroun(
, their tOmbs at which we must bow
down and worship. The greatest in
vention of man appears the simplest
So also the greatest man was He, wht
, was simplest in life the influence o
: whose life shall live long ages after GU
present heroes and their Worshiper
E shall have been forgotten.