The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-12
REV. MR.. CAMPBELL,
= ON "FOUR ANCHORS" "

series OF the New York Herald. Tne
theme Is "Four Anchors. -.
They cast four anchors out of the stern
Acts xvii. 29.
The symbolism of the text Is striking
and suggestive. Many lives have been
shipwrecked for the need Of anchors hold
ing them 10 stsadfastness. However deep
we may feel the waters to be through
whicn We are sailing. we are often nearer
the shoals and reefs than is imagined.
The first anchor which should bs thrown
out is iixedness OF purpose. fne inner
most secret of successful lives is In tho
concentration OF power along certain def
mite lines Paul says "Ihis one thing
do, " and the world will ever do him
reverence DR. Hudson Taylor says,
This thing do !" and China is opened
as never before 20 higher ideals and larger
visions of life The Earl of Shaftesbury
says. "1his one thing do" ana ns goes
down 10 the Holboru viaduct In London,
and the bCotblacks and huossters and
strset arabs ana sstsImongers are trans
formed. Tie gyc8t names in art, In sci
cnce in philosophy and in finance are at
ways identified with plan and purpose.
Life is power, but power undirected is
lest. Only constant striking on the same
snot makes an impression. Purpose con
n cts and unifts our mouths and ears
and makes OF them all but parts Of a sim
pls whole. Each day ought ID bo "a link
tempered and welded into the chain of a
tomplated life. Thrae-fourths Of mems
failures may be attributed to tho lack OF
purpose The houss oan soncsly be con-
structsd without plan; how much less
can a human life bs fashioned without a
conception of what 1t will be when fin-
isted? Plan must prececs construction,
the ideal before the realization. the pur-
rose before the accomplishment. Only
the man who aims will strike the matk.
Turn your life into definite channel; let
IL not cover too much territory, for II is
tine deel ". flowing stream which outs
away tho distractions and at last reaches
the a, whils the stream which spreads it
self in shsllowuess gees silently into the
swamp-land and its life is ended. The
analysis Of every completed life reveals q
central point about which energy and
motion and devotion cluster themselves
But purpose TO exert its influence must
be accompanied by perseverance,, 80 cast
out tia sscond anchor. Here is vast
difference betgeen the aim and the ac-
CON plishmsnt Perseverance is the bend
ing OF the bow to sand the shaft at the
target. and the bow Is the will. ~ will
lht it ont on this line IL it takes all
summer" says the great general. That
is the spirit which conquers No sooner
lave cur plans been drafted or our pur-
pose fixed than circumstances and diff
culties3 seem 10 conspire to defeat and
ruin them. Many a man has seen his
star In the east. but only Iere and there
has one been posse ssed OF the courage and
devotion to follow il over nm unbeaten
path until IL I'D him to his treasure. 1t
Is blord earnestness which tells The
man who is ever unconscious OF defeat is
no who some doy will plant his standard
. upon the enemy's ramparts and win the
day. He who holds on In the face OF the
storm, Ia spite OF fdisoouraRements calmly
suffering temporary delays is he VIII, fl
nally secures his crown and mis- reward.
Shall we com plain of difficulties when u
thousand fingers are pointing at won der
full achievements, made after overcom ing
tremendous obstaclesf Helen Kellar,
without sight without hearing, with
out lanRusge. presses on until she passes
the entrance examinations to Harvard
University. John Bunyan. the drunken
tinker OF Bedford, rises to the authorship
cf "Piler,m's Progress. T" 1t is half.
heaitedness which fails, but the "doing
with thy might" which succeeds Be-
fore d t'rmined Will and passionate
devotion men will stand aside and let
you pass-they cannot help It difficulties
VIII vanish -they cannot Withstand you;
obstruction Will be orushed--their puny
strength dc serts them.
Then, in order TO make perseverance
possible, anchor the third, faith In ones
SELF. Too pfton the estimate of our power
falls far short OF what il really is. Emer-
sln' IS word, "Trust-thyself, 4" carries with
1t a true philosophy. for one may not
achieve until there is firm belief in
'nt S own soul II We rate cur ideal at
20 and our power at 50 The accomplish
ment will bo but oue-half.
Ihe great cirme men commit
against themselves is not In over
judging, but In unuerjudging
NY self-set limitations deter
termine the extent of my achievement
And what right has nan. born In the
image of God, with unknown and IN
develored powers, standing before hid
den future TO measure and TO oircumscribs
his capabilities nd to limit his pcsibli-
ties of success in the construction Of lifep
Only God may measure man, for only
Cod knows the height tho Individual
may reach. Men who today are nln ost
messlrelcss in their intelloctua sweep are
they who have not dared with compass
and rule to set taoir bounds. Ihls Is not
conceit hut "A respect for the untouched.
undro9med f POTENCY Of your own
soul. 80, tnon, believe not only In your
Ideal. hut in the p ssibility OF realizing It,
Ard rhan thu faurth aucbfy f,fsn a,