The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09
WORLD OF LITERATURE.

"WOrld of Literature" to give each
week an informal chat on the best
thinkers and writer's in all fields of
thought. By so doing hope we may
become acquainted at first hand with
the moulders of human life. In order
brief selections from the writings of
each one under consideration. 1t shall
be my aim to make such selections
that an idea of the true character and
trend of thought can be obtained of
the writer's. l believe the acquaintance
that can be thus made will do much to
warm the heart, stimulate thoughts of
high character and touch the con-
science.
We are all great centers of energy
which sustain us and enable us to
influence and mould our surroundings.
This energy in itself is all good, for it
through the use we make of it. The
misuses of energy or life constitute
our mistakes, the only evils there are.
| believe the Devil is our misdirec-
ton of good, and in my experience
have found that acquaintance with the
moulders of the worlds best thought
assists me in so directing my energy as
to be the most conducive to my happi-
ness.
The following are words from the
pen of friend and one of the worlds
grand thinkers, Willard j. Hull They
came to me in the midst of the trial l
am now enduring:
In the midst of trials, look up! speak
not the word of despair. Even though
the darkness, which is said to precede
the dawn, creeps over and STILES the
whole day, look up! Prison bars are
no barrier to thought. Be calm. Times
whirligig adjusts all things, and ex-
tremity ofttimes is ones great blessing.
School the mind to meet defeat and
triumph with an unruffled front. One
follows the other as unerringly as
water follows its course to dead level.
Absolutism is the level of life's dis
cordances. There we perceive the
compensatory law, which works to
fulfillment. The tired Arab reaches the
smiling Oasis, and he no longer dwells
upon the hardships which brought him
there. He looks back over the burning
sands without pang, for now he is in
the midst of plenty. So life viewed
from the absolute is filled with arid
places, which are seen to be stepping
stones to its final goal:
Remember, life is struggle, if it be
we'll lived. Which would you prefer in
the marts of the gods, pilgrimage
here where no useful thing had ever
been performed and the lap of luxury
your only distinction, and that, too,
gift which somebody else had made for
you, or pilgrimage of strife and dis
cipline which has rounded you into
divine order?
"The growing soul aches in it's up
ward quest" Be a growing soul. Moth
ing of permanence has ever come to
any body that was not earned by sweat
and watered. with tears. The truly
great are those who know sorrow the
best, who have withstOOd the storms
and passions of life, and smiled on
misfortune. Search the annals of his
tory and no name shines there whose
pOssessor was imbued with selfshness,
who took to himself the means of
happiness, honor, distinction, with a
view to personal advantage while his
fellow beings suffered for the wants OF
life. Be like unto them, and when
perplexities come meet them manfully
and rise above them. Do your level
best.
These words have helped to
strengthen me and perhaps they will
others.
No American poet and writer holds |
dearer place in the hearts of the COM
mon people, the down-trodden and the |
unfortunate than John Boyle O'Reily.
This is especially so to those who
know the story of his life and who,
like he, have suffered the pangs caused |
by imprisonment.
l say "American poet" thus using |
the term American in its broadcast |
sense, meaning all who are American
citizens imbued with American ideas. |
There are few readers of his sweet |
songs who do not judge rightly from
his name that he was of Irish descent,
but how few know anything of his life
history.
In early life he was convicted of