The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-02-12
OUR BEST.
We Need Not Greater Capacity, Hut
Motive for Greater Excrtion.


"our greatest need Is somebody to make
US do our best"
Did Emerson ever write truer line?
The poverty, weakness and want which
we see all about us in the physical and
spiritual realms are not the result OF
mans lack of ability and talent, and
they would quickly disappear IL some
influence could induce each member OF
the human family to exercise fully and
in the right directions the capacities
which he already possesses.
am acquainted with young man
who carried off the highest honors at
school and college, but his father, when
congratulated on his sons salent, re-
piled that the boy was naturally no
more OF a scholar than most boys, but
that his mother was determined that
he should excel, and that, stimulated
by her constant ambition, he had made
the efforts necessary TO success. Ben
jamin West said: "My mothers kiss
made me painter"
All, mothers, what opportunities are
yoursl BY example and persuasion, pa
tiently and perseveringly teach the dear
less than doing and being their best, to
go on day by day.
without halting, without rest.
Lifting better up 10 best"
Sometimes il is the influence OF a
friend that brings out the best there is
in n man. John b. Cough upon the lee
ture platform, moving thousands to
temperance and manhood and God by
his matchless eloquence, was the stag
gering, drunken John Il. Cough at his
best, and, humanity speaking, il was the
, sympathetic touch and encouraging
word OF a friend that brought him
there.
In "The Changed Life" Henry Drum
mond says: There are some men and
some women in whose company we are
always at our best. While with them
we cannot think mean thoughts or
speak ungenerous words. All the best
stops in our nature are drawn out by
their intercourse. and we find n music
In our souls that was never there be-
fore. Suppose even that influence pro-
longed month, n year, a lifetime, what
might not life become? Here even on
the common plane OF life, talking our
language, walking our streets, work.
ing side by side, are sanctifiers OF
souls"
'Sanctifiers OF souls" how we'll the
term describes Drummond himself The
possessor OF such a blessed influence
must ever be unconscious OF IL. vet we
may well pause and ask ourselves IL our
friendship and intercourse brings ont
the best in our associates. But do some
sigh because their environment brings
out their worst traits and the influence
Of their companions in life constantly
tends TO lower their ideals?
Listen 10 Drummond again: III 10
live with men, diluted TO the mill.onth
degree with the virtue OF the highest,
can exalt and purify the nature, what
bounds can be set 10 the influence OF
Christi"
And we can each one have Christ for
constant companion and nearest friend.
Can there be any more powerful incen-
tive 10 be and do our best than love for
Christ and desire to please TTimp
Christ wants the best He In the far-ofr
ages
once claimed the firStling or the flock, the
finest OF the wheat,
And still he asks His own with gentlest
pleading
To lay their highest hopes and brightest
talents at His feet,
Hell not forget the feeblest service, hum
blest love.
lie only asks that OF our store wen give
20 Him
The best we have.
Christ gives the best lie takes the hearts
we offer
And fills them with His glorious beauty.
Joy and peace.
And in His service. as we're growing
stronger
The calls TO grand achievements still In
crease,
The richest gifts for us on earto, or IN tho
Heaven above.
Are hid In Christ In Jesus we receive
The best we have
And is our best too much2 oh, friends.
let us remember,
How once our Lord poured out His soul
for us.
And in the prime OF Ills mysterious man
hood
Gave up Ills precious life upon the cross,
The Lord OF lords. by whom the worlds
were made.
Through bitter grief and tears gave us
The best He had