Warren sheaf., 1899-06-08

pebbles in his mouth he trained his
voice until it sounded high and clear
above the tumult of the waves. and
placing himself before full-length
mirror, schooled his unruly limbs.
into absolute obedience. And
whittier did his indomitable will car
ry him? To the very summit of ex-
cellence and fame in his art. Again..
look at Bulwer. His first novel was
a failure; so was his first drama; his
first poems were failures; also his
first speeches. But with the same
spirit as Demosthenes he fougt his.
way, through defeat and ridicule, to
that enchanted circle where "none
durst walk but he.'' 49,. ... ...
Will, the power to yield or to re-
sist, is a possession we all enjoy, yet
it is a gift OF which all do not make
like use. The will is something that
is entirely our own, and it is wholly
free. There is no absolute restraint
upon our volitions. In encounter
ing the many hindrances on the
road to our destina tion, let us not,
at the thought Of their prodigious
strength, be tempted to yield in our
purpose, baft1ed. No, we are con-
tident that, be tile barriers however
strong, we can hurl against them a
force OF will that is boundless. "Our
wishes are only prophecies OF things
we are able to perform. Men are
able, because as Vergil says, "they
seem to be able" What you will is
whau you are; will to be something
and you will. become something.
Will not to yield in your project and
you cannot be forced to yield. Thus
sounds the philosophy OF those who
have travelled the road to success
before us, and have been compelled,
by meeting many hardships, to cry
with Burns:
Come, firm Resolve, take thou the van,
Thou stalk of earle-hemp in manv
At no time, probably, in the his
tory of the world, did success in life
demand harder or more incessant
toll, than at present. Never before
was competition in every calling and.
pursuit so fierce as now. Never was
there required such . degree of alert,
ness, activity, prudence, holiness,
and decision. The ladder of success
can no longer be scaled at single;
bound. We have reached a point in
the race when we must strain to it's
utmost tension every power we pos
sess. AS Carlyle says: "the race of
life has become intense; the runners
are treading upon each others heels;
woe be to him who stops to tie his
shoe-strings."
When we peep into the great bee
hive OF society to-day we may often
see two persons who started out in
the same manner, and with equal
endowments, yet though one has
reached his desired end, the other
has utterly failed. Hence we may
infer that man is, to some extent, a
child OF fortune, victim to circuum-
stances. Among tho ancients there
was a firm belief in fortune. Cicero
says that it was the good fortune of
the generals that induced the people
to intrust them with their armies.
And when we see that an apple fall
ing at Newton's feet led to his dis
covery of gravitation; that a paint
er hurling his brush at a picture, in
moment of dispair, produced a
long desired effect, we are inclined to
believe that chance does befall some
men, while to others, again, no such
fortune presents itself, and in spite
of their heroic efforts and gigantic
struggles they fail to reach the OBJ
ject Of their desire.
But when one has thus toiled and
fought for a successful end, and finds
that he has failed, does that Indicate
that his life has been devoid of sue
cess? Many have attained the OBJ
ject for which they strove, yet they
have declared that theirs has been
an unsuccessful life. Wherein, then,
lies the real, the true success? For
what shall we struggle and strive
and buffet the pillows OF life with
''lusty slnews?'' TO this query
many have answered, and the an
swer has been the same: act we'll
your part, therein all the honor lies.
Every one has mission to perform
in life; one for which. his faculties are
especially adapted; and upon the
fulfillment of this mission he must
throw all the energy of his soul.
Whatever you do, whether it be to