The Afro-American., 1896-02-15
THE SECRET OF SUCCESS,


1t is difficult matter to know what
means we shall use in order to sue
ceed in certain schemes. Two meE
will resort to the same means to in
sure success in the same enterprise;
one will achieve good results, while
the efforts OF the other will end in dis
aster.
Untiring toll, determination, perse-
verance and integrity must, III every
case, be united, for no unit factor II
achieve the enu; there must be a "a
ion of forces to clear away from our
path the numberless barriers that are
ever present to thawrt our plans.
we cannot believe with the great
French Emperor that Providence Is
always on the side of the heaviest ar
tillery. After our human energies
have done their duty, then we must
look to heaven for fruitaSe.
Strong resolve is a potent factor,
but this must not degenerate into an
obstinacy that refuses to hear the
voice of reason and mature judgement.
| 1t is only to be commended when we
are right aud are pIiable to rea on
| able and well-regulated rules and Gil
cumstauces. Obstiuacy is often rash
and dares consequences that may be
ruinOus, while rational determina-
ton averts a threatened peril by
patience and wise delay.
We must always be prepared for
impediments; for progress is sure tc
encounter more or less resistance. Ii
we take a long journey, we must
meet with OBSTACLES of every kind be-
fore we reach our destinatiOn-Obst
cles that we must ourselves remove Ii
the general need has not been antici
pated by others, and the way render
ed accessible Just before us may be
rocky hill made smooth by Othe
hands; the rushing stream with 1t
bridge of safety; the steep mountain
with it's gradual, winding ascenti o
the fierce tempest that threatens 0u
destruction if no friendly retreat l
near to afford shelter from it's fury
There must ever be some strong
soul-sustaining and imperiling mOtiv
ahead, or we may utterly tau unde
multifOrm .discouragements tina
we are hourly meeting at every steI
in life: and if we are not willing ant
courageous enough to face and battt
with them, then we cannot eXpeXt t.
succeed with our project, be 1t grea
or small.
We must have some aminating, ab
sorbing object in view, and keep thl
before the soul TO stimulate 10 etfOr
and to inspire hope. --,,,,,--,,wn CIR
cumscrioed realm of observation, WI
will see what our neighbors hav,
achieved 10y a wise persistent determi
nation to succeed in life under circum
stances embarrassing enough TO havt
forced them to turn aside from thei
high purpose of making an homes
livelihood when it seemed that PrOvi
dcnce itself had deoreed it otherwise
An illustration of success unde
great difficulties is presented to me a.
l write. In yOnder neat, little co
tage lives a hunchback shoemaker,
who eight years ago did not own
foot of land, and worked far harde.
than any convict. That cozy cottag,
is now his own, in addition to whicl
lie has hundred or more acres o
and, with all the stock necessary Il
lcarry on his operations and a sm4l
purse OF gold LAID up tor rainy day
All THE he accomplished by his owl
industry, determination and unfiag
ging perseverance:s aud now he ha
secured a comfortable home for heI y
lessLess and declining age.
We have not all the Midas touch
but proper efforts tempered by judge
ment, industry anu frugalCy, vii
generally insure a seasonable degree
Of success.