The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-02-06
THE CONTROL OF CIRCUMSTANCES

We have all heard the same thing so
many times, and in so many different ways
that we wonder now and then what truth
may be in it.
81 could manage that perfectly well if
she would let me-" says the old grand
mother, speaking of a daughters house, in
which confusion is rampant, the servants
in revolt, the children cross "Only |
should insist on implicit obedience from
every one, and no interference"
81 could ran that newspaper and make
it a success, but they would have to let me
have my own way in everything" the
unsuccessful writer in Il minor department
exclaims, referring to journal lettering to
its ruin.
''She might have succeeded could she
have had everything in her own hand,
says the sympathetic friend, bewailng the
failure Ola young woman who had tried to
keep house for FRIEND only to give up in
despair.
So it is on every side. We hear the
same complaint, the same excuse. II
could never do as choose, is the universal
cry of the defeated. 81 had everything
against me. | could never be as good as |
wanted to be" is the wall of the sinner.
But who, after all, has his own way in
everything? And has anything in this
world ever been accomplished that has not
had difficulties to overcome? What is it
that makes one man greater than his
fellows but his having been possessed so
STRONGLY by given idea that he has been
able to carry it to its successful issue
through opposition before which another
would have succumbed? Tyrants, despots,
as well a. great conquerors, have succeeded
in this way.
II one goes direct from this country and
sees for the first time beautiful building
like the Louvre in Paris or some renowned
cathedral, one is suddenly impressed by
the power Of the fact that an idea con-
ceived in human mind was so well con-
ceived, so held to and poss essed, that al
though centuries were taken for its com
plete and full expression, the idea was
never lost or destroyed And yet we, be-
ness, cannot express it through even
twelve hours of adversely.
We come upon limitations, disorders,
confusion, adverse conditions, at every
turn in life No one is free fIom them.
Those who seem free are those who are so
possessed by some idea that no opposition
to it is recognized They are like flowers
which bloom in rocky places. TO be pos
sessed by an idea, not by fancy or a within
not opporessed by thought which makes
insanity, but to be possessed by an idea, by
a principle, as by the idea or by the
principle Of cheerfulness or benevolence, so
that we are its perfect and It's unconscious
Instruments, so that we are benevolent and
are cheerful, this is the great secret Of real
progress. for the soul, the great secret, too
OF success III any walk of life. For that
principle to which we ally ourselves I'M
seltisAly is the principle which always and
through al things works for us, The poet
understands this They tell us that love
laughs at bars; that true love admits of
no impeachment" that Glove looks on
tempest and is itself mistaken" Love is
love only when tie pain of cruel circum-
stance does not destroy it, and the same
can be said Ui charity, or benevolence or
justice, or any of the great guiding prin.
ciples OF life Our boosted strength of
purpose and our vaunted power to do are
really only ouis when not destroyed by ad-
verse conditions.
We must, then, manage our houses
successfully and train our children,