The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1905-06-13
Calnna9e
Sermon
By Rev.
Frank De Witt Talrnaae, D. D.

responsibilities are not to be shirked,
but cltAcrfully shouldered, and that
burden bearing is not an infiction, but
blessing and essential to the right
development Of character, Is the lesson
Of this sermon. The preacher takes his
text from Galatians vi, 5: Every man
shall bear his own burden"
The Worlds Epoch Makers" is the
theme of an extensive series Of books
upon the makers of the worlds history.
But as the biographies Of great Wen
have made great books, l would tell
you that the reading Of those great
books has been the turning point in
multitudes of human lives. And l
know Of no single biographer who has
exerted greater influence upon the
young men Of our age and generation
than the late Samuel Smiles. His
Brief Biographies and Life Of
George Stephenson and Self Help"
with illustrations Of Character and
Conduct and Industrial Biography
and many other books and pamphlets,
have made it possible for his readers to
walk hand in hand with the great ones
of the earth, from their humble begin
nings to the time when they stood
upon the pinnaces Of the mountains Of
fame
or all books which Samuel Smiles
has written l do not believe any Of
them has Influenced the young men to
a greater extent than Self Help |
remember when, as young schoolbo!,
found it in my fathers library. l can
remember just how that book looked.
have not seen it for years. 1t had
dark red cover, with gilt letters.
Though its pages were printed in black
ink, yet its words were to me en-
blazoncd in letters Of gold. That book,
above all other books which read in
boyhood days, taught me that the great
est successes Of life have not been won
under advantageous circumstances, but
by the hard plOdders who worked on
year in and year out They worked In
obscurity. They worked when others
were unwilling to extend a helping
hand. They worked, and kept on work
they worked on with manly independ-
ence until at last the world was willing
to acknowledge their greatness and to
offer to these heroes and herOines Its
tribute Of praise.
If a young man sets out to achieve
success In life, he must be willing to
serve in the ranks and carry a rife or
SEQ whit to
lie down and easy chairs in which to
lounge are not stepping stones from
which men mount to illustrious
thrones What Samuel Smiles taught
in "Self Help" Paul is enunciating In
the words Of my text. In the second
verse Of this chapter the apostle writes
"Bear We one another's burdens and so
fulfill the law Of Christ" That means,
as far as in you lies look around you
and see how many people you may be
able to help. If you see a feeble old
woman coming home from market give
her a lift with her basket If you see
blind man with his cane trying to feel
bis way across a crowded thorough
fare go and assist him. "Be eyes for
the blind, as we'll as clutches for the
lame" Always be ready to lend
helping hand to people who are in need
Of help, and for yourself make your
own way, depending on no man for
free ride or push up the ladder Of
life. Broaden your own shoulders
says Paul Brighten your own girdle
for the race Of life" Do not turn your
swords scabbard into a milk bottle.
Do not seek pensions instead of field
service Every man shall bear his
own burden" Every man shall try to
lift his own pack. Manly independence
in life is the theme. Do not waste any
more hours or minutes trying to find
out how others can help you, but set
yourselves to help yourselves.
Train Your Body.
The physical burden you must bear.
You must learn how to develop your
physical nature. In the same way that
the horse trainer makes a study of his
horse and the dairyman his cows and
the farmer Of his field of oats you must
look after the health Of your body.
lou u1uSt 1euIu "udL IOOuS IL DCSI
for you to eat, what exercise it Is best
for you to take, what sunlight it is
best for you to battle in, what clothes
are best for you to wear and what
amount Of time you shall spend at
your meals to properly masticate the
food which has been cooked for your
use. Mark this: If you do not proper
ly look after your own health no other
person is capable Of doing it for you.
As you have to bear the pains and the
sicknesses and the helplessness for the
most part If your health is wrecked,
so for the most part you yourself must
look after and guard your own health.
Your mother may compel you to put
on your overcoat and overshoes when
you 60 out into storm, but she can
not restrain you from sitting In the
dangerous drafts. She cannot always
supervise your diet She cannot Keep
you from chilling your stomach by
drinking ice water when overheated.
She cannot look after you and forbid
you doing the FIVE hundred little things
you are accustomed to do and which
are daily sapping away the foundation