The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-04-21
Der. Only let him convert them to
higher and not lower WAYS Of living.

GENIUS requires unbounded scope;
talent is content with the scope as
signed it. There are no heights to
which genius and talent do not aspire;
the former succeeds, for honor is gen.
orally given where honor is due, while
the lattOr often fails, through natur-
al inability to stand the storm of the
worlds sneers.
Genius and talent possess the rare
power of lifting men and women above
that dead-level, commonplace plane Of
life so repugnant to tAe ambitious per-
son. They can look upon that plane of
life as upon an Interesting play, and
see the great masses go struggling by,
full of the human element, but devoid
Of that greatest of all elements, the
power of understanding human nature.
They look upon each other as comrades
(provided they are in each others sta
tion Of life) and depend upon each
other. They live in the sunny, grassy
plane below, not upon the mountain
peak, alone and awful, wrapped in
clouds, upon stern, high summit,
that we gaze upward toward with awe
wide eyes.
Genius is not without its over meas
ure of suffering. OF all those who suf-
fer, men of genius are perhaps the
greatest sufferers. They suffer because
they cannot order life to suit them
selves, and it is suffering, too!
The greatest difference between
genius and talent is that genius CEN
ters itself wholly, unchangingly upon
one sole, supreme object. One goal,
one ambition, one hope, one work, one
life, no more. A genius life is one
too excessively, too extremely lived.
Talent is divided. "The world, the
flesh and the devil" appeal successfully
to the white flame Of talent. Perhaps
this is one great reason why genius sue
ceeds where talent fails. Is it, after
all. of much moment whether we are
geniuses or talented or utterly COM
monplace? All, yes! Our talents are
given us for purpose. Shall we go
like the fool in the parable, aud bury
them, all because some designing
friend : unconscious pessimistl = as-
sures us that our talents will never
make stir in the world, and that if
they do, fame is a delusion, to be
avoided as one would the plague. Rea-
sonless reasons! Will they exonerate
you when the Master calls for the treas
ures he entrusted? A few days ago |
heard minister of the gospel say to a
young girl: "This idea of talent and
men and women being created for a
, certain purpose is all arrant nonsense.
Do not think that because you are tai
ented that you must OF necessity use
eour talents. Talents are better left
; alone-they are a snare and delusion.
= A quiet, eontented mind, and an nm
: known name are far superior to all the
!, allurements Of talent and fame"
It is false, false, falsel Such theories
and doctrines have sent many a noble
talent into oblivion. But, ah, thank
God, not geniusI Crush it if you can,
y :. you lying, wrong -theoried Knight OF
Falsity Instead Of succumbing tc
your own foolish doctrine, why do yor
> not attempt to get out of your narrow
= = sphere, and face the world? Try to b'
a man, true man, instead of cring
ing coward and hypocrit. You viii
> made the world better then instead O
worse. And do not attempt to crusl
the talents of others Let them alone
yen will not be called to answer for th,
manner in which they are used, unles
!. you use all ysur cowardly influence tc
kill, crush and anaihilate them. Be
lieve that life is wonderful and gltri
ousl Stand forward like q here; de
clare what you believe; let the world
! opinion be neither first, second no
% third consideration; rejoice in you
freedom and your talentsl And stand
ing under the blue dome darkenins
above us, hung round with the dusk,
3 curtains of the twilight closing il
:. around us, we feel greater than oul
] p,tty lives. Life seems worth the liv
:. ing. "bread and cheese, aye, evel
!. kisses, donotseem the only things wort
! striving for" We feel for one grea
! moment the supremacy of our God
and standing silent, spell-bound, w
realize that earth is not a diDgy work
. shep for the round of our daily toll
. but grand and glorious temple where
> in we may worship, and where, some
times, in the darkness, oar grOpin
!, hands touch Gods"
BESSIE Lou BURaEss.
Beats the KlOndike.