The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-02-21


and good education. if he be pleasing in
| appearance and graceful in manners,
can as easily win the attention of the
multitude as genius. Indeed, man OF
commanding presence and ready speech
can with ease deceive the public, and
| make mere talent pass for genius IT.
self. There are new forces coming into
play.
Shall we say, then. that the age OF
greatness is past? We have recited the
facts. A little study and thought Will
unravel the problem and reveal to US
truths that will be of the utmost prac-
teal value to every individual. Great
men in the future are to be of other
sort than those of the past have been.
In our day, and in the future, the gem
ius who commanded the minds Of the
people Of past years can no longer claim
their attention, because his unbalanced
character is not fitted to cope with the
new conditions of human life. Almost
before his genius has had an opportuni-
ty to show itself he is borne down by
the onrushing stream of progress that
is now impelled by the self-same power
that before found expression only in
the minds of humanity's fore-ordained
leaders.
To-day there is no excuse but lazi-
ness for your not being truly great
man or woman. To be great Is your
only salvation. You have but to open
your eyes and unstop your ears to learn
how you may be great. in the true sense
of the word. You must first divest
your mind of certain false notion that
is generally popular, that there are
among the affairs of men great places
and small ones. There is a place for
you, dear sir or madame, for which you
are best fitted, and in that place you
may live tremendously or discordantly,
greatly or meagrely, as 1T pleases you.
There is no sphere of activity which
does not offer opportunity for the de-
velopment of those faculties which con-
stitute true greatness.
True greatness in these days means
the ability to command all ones own
powers and to direct them wisely. Fur
Their, it means the development of great
err powers from within-the education.
or leading forth of them. These pow
ers men are only now beginning to COM
prehend. For two thousand years the
ideal of the Christ has been before the
minds of the western peoples, yet it has
been left for the mystics of the east to
awaken the vital meaning Of it for u.s.
But everywhere the cry of freedom from
the limitations of old traditions has
cleared the way for the new and more
glorious advent of the Christ into hui
man life, into the life Of every individ-
ual that would serve God and human
ity. True greatness is the development
to the fullest degree OF all the resources
of our being, and their dedication to the
service of humanity.
If I may be permitted to speak from
personal experience, must repeat what
I am often called upon to tell the faith
less men and women who retard human
progress by bewailing the depraved con-
dition of humanity, and crying out that
the people do not want to be free, ana
do not desire to develop their powers
and use them to noble ends. find that
wherever I go the people are eager for
the knowledge which will lead them to
this end I am convinced that wher-
ever truth is offered in the right way
people are ready to accept 1t. A teach
err must of course realize that truth Is or
universal application, and must aim to
present it to each person, or community
of persons, in exactly that light which
will show most clearly it's application
to the specific problems which they In
their daily life are called upon to meet.
When the people realize that their own
individual interests are inseparable
from the interests of others, and the
common interest of the community, they
are ready to accept any reasonable aid
to the progress Of the common good.
There is much to be said on this and
kindred subjects. Much is said, and
written and read, as each day passes.
Presently we shall see how truly the
word is made flesh, for humanity Is
coming to be the embodiment of these
spoken words. and the unspoken but
thoughts which follow in |
their train. Greatness is with us truly |
to-day more than ever before, and will |
make it's way wherever it is desired.
ANITA TRUEMAN.