The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-14
MOTIVE POWER OF LIFE
DR., KELLOGG'S SUBJECT
Impossible Is Not Good French, "
the Great Napoleon Is Reported
to Have Once Said.
SPIRIT OF ALL GREAT MEN

1.-THE Motive Power of Life was the topic
discussed at the Central-avenue NJ. E.
Church by DR.. H. w. kellogg last night.
DR.. kellogg said, in part:
"Man corresponds, In the expression of his
soul, to a well-regulated government, or
rather, every wise government is the true
expression of acting human soul. There
are three distinct unctions-legislative, jul
dicial and executive. In governments these
are more distinct, yet the correspondence
is clearly traced. The intellect forms ideas
and laws and the judgment acting by the
standards of moral sense rules upon them,
but the will carries them into execution
/ have treated already the intellectual func-
tons of the soul | shall discuss, under
the title of The Ought of Life the more
complicated action of the soul in moral
choises, but now l will consider the execu-
tive power of life
"A government is strong as its AFFINITY
to carry into effect its legislation and can
be no stronger. A nation that cannot en-
force its laws is farce. So the man
who cannot bring things to pass, however
brilliant In imagination or clear III Judg-
ment, is of little worth in this world. This
hustling age is merciess in its treatmept
of him. On the other hand, he who does
something is sure to meet the approval or
popular judgment, however much ne may
be lacking N mental equipment. Ii is posi-
bic that our age and our country is UNJUST
toward some men, out results show that
this standard has brought forth race or
conquerors of worlds and builders of new
civilizations. The glory of these times, is
accomplishment. The people will never be-
lieve that General Mcclellan was so great
a general as Grant, although he may have
excelled him in military knowledge. Gen
eral Grant won victories and this secures
his fame
mo weakness of human nature is more
contemplate than the weakness or the VIII.
=
human life. BY this is its personality estab-
lished and defined, its grandeur and dig
self and makes possible his freedom. This
is crowning glory and to be despised, his
greatest shame.
''Ihe will must not be overtaxed, and this
is done when encouragement or confusion
occurs. By degrees the will may be led
up to great undertakings that at first would
have turned the soul into permanent de-
feat. But the greater error Is that or COM
polling the will to work in confusion. One
thing the will demands, and that is clear
ness of duty. The old theory that problem
that perpleXed the mind and kept the child
at work strengthened the will is now seen
to be a grave mistake. Teachers TOO oIten
fall into this error, and where a word OF
explanation would make the way plain it Is
withheld because the task will be made
easier, and so the will ceases TO toll.
think ii may be taken for an axiom that
the will is never strengthened when work
ing in confusion, but may be positively
weakened The first thing TO do is to give
the will a clear way, but an upward way
and it will grow in its task This may
take ali infinite amount of patence-in
listening to the childish inquiries. but it is
the only safe way.
1.-The will must be encouraged. What a
strange notion was that of the Puritan
fathers of breaking the Will Why break
the will any more than break the heart
hoping thereby to improve the child? II
was an attempt to subordinate the will
to the authority of opinions or reasoning
but the better way to that end is to raise
the dignity and reasonable authority of the
opinions The will should be in command
over ones own life, mastering its powers
and directing them toward working out OF
life's purposes. In this task it will meet
severest opposition. But these must be
conquered Impossible is not good
French said Napoleon. Always room fol
a man of force, said Emerson. This is the
spirit of all great men by which they con
Quer."