The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-12-11

Any Adversely or Critical Emergency;
IL Test.

IL q Test.
We have all heard a good deal OF lats
about the "hard times" Some have
learned what "hard times" are by sore
experience. Most Of us are heartily sick
OF the very phrase and hope soon TO be
over hearing IL and never to hear ~
again. But "hard times" have their
advantages and teach some needed les
sons.
For one thing, adversely Is the real
test OF character. Mr.. Eckels, the
comptroller of the currency, said that
while some banks that were really
sound had been Obliged TO close their
doors temporarily because OF some
special run, only those concerns had
been really wrecked that had brought
disaster on themselves by incompetent
or dishonest management The laws of
business are after all the laws OF moral
ity, and the laws Of morality are
the laws OF God. II Is the stress
OF financial panic and business disorder
that tests an institution. IL Is easy TO
sail boat In summer weather when
the wind Is only zephyr and the sea In
only gently rippled; anyone can do IL,
after fashion; but let the sea grow
black under gathering clouds, and the
wind pipe out OF the southwest in angry
puffs, and the waves roll up ahead an
though they would enguh you, that Is
the time that tries your rigging and
your skill and calls out every ounce OF
nerve and muscle. So with character;
adversely tests II. IL you want TO show
me a mans character, do not tell me
how he appears IN health and prosper
ity. when everything IL going we'll
though that is also a test In Its own
way-but show me how he bears HIM
self when he is sick or out OF employ
ment or on the verge ofbankruptcy and
everything Is going against him. II he
has any reserve force OF character, any
self-control, any moral courage, them
Is the time they Will show, and the
emergency will show whether he has
these qualities or not.
One OF the remarkable things about
Gen. Grant, and that has especially inn
pressed me with the greatness OF his
character, was that the greater the
emergency, the more self-possessed and
| determined he became. / remember
reading that once after several days OF
hard Aghting he called council OF
war. One after another told how he
would retreat, what road he would Sc
lect for falling back; finally, Grant, who
had been listening In silence, arose, and
| taking from his pocket n bundle OF pa-
ers, handed one 10 each officer present,
saying: Gentlemen, you viii execute
chese orders at dawn" Every paper
was an order TO advance Forward by
the left flank" and with the morning
hun the army moved forward TO victory.
II Is the reserve corps OF an army,
that enables the general 20 strike a
decisive blow when the battle hangs In
the balance. providence is on the side
OF the last reserve" Is one OF the sayings
attributed 10 Napoleon. IL Is the bal
ance wheel OF the engine that distrib-
utes It's power and overcomes resistance
by its stored-qip momentum. IL Is the
knowledge, experience and character.
the accumulated mental and moral
wealth that measures your real power
and worth to-day; and the time OF trial
brings out the truth, how much OF this
reserve power you really have. We can
draw from the bank OF learning or OF
manhood just what we have stored
there, not one ounce more. In any
crisis we stand or fall by our reserve
power. Some one has said that we have
only so much real faith I'm God as we can
bring TO bear for our support and com
fort In the time OF affection or diff
Guilty. Do we believe In God then? II
not, we do not really believe In Him M
all, The thought is profound and
searching; we DO well TO lay IL 20 heart
81 like the man who faces what no mus
With step triumphant and a heart OF cheer
Who fights the daily battle without fear
Sees his hopes fail. yet keeps unfalterinl
That God is good that somehow. true ant
just
Ills plans work out for mortais; not a tea
) Is shed when fortune. which the world hold
= dear,
Falls from his grasp; better. with love. I
crust
Than living in dishonor: envies not.
Nor loses faith In man; hut does his best.
Nor even murmurs at his humber lot;
But with a smile and words OF hope, give
: To every toiler: he alone II great
who by . life heroic conquers fate"
Yes, adversely tests character; an,
the way 70 make character sound IL Il
be prepared for the emergencies an'
=. crises OF life. The day is coming whei
storms will beat and break upon us
: And remember; l"othcr foundation cal
no man lay than that is laid which 1
Jesus Christ. Stoddard Lane
!, in N. Y. Observer.