The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-07-01
PAPERS FROM PUNAHOU y
READ AT COMMENCEMENT

to discern the means and avenues that
may be used. This requires percep-
ton, nagural quality together with
training and perseverance. Perception
IS one of the most valuable assets of
mans make up and nearly if not
fully equals that fine and useful quail
ity of intuition that we must credit
for many of those notable achieve
ments of the gentler sex. Men with
out perception and women without in
tuition are limited in their scope of
action and the more acute these facul-
ties are the more brilliant and sue
cessful will be the result of their use.
Training l use quite anonymously with
discipline and this is necessary for a
finished and comprehensive use of the
faculties. When | hear complaint about
useless studies in primary work my
answer IS usually to the effect that
the teaching of such has value as a
simple matter of discipline Training
develops astuteness and quickness of
application. Perception and intuition
show the way and training enables one
TO take advantage of the situation but
without perseverance they viii not win
IN any hard position. Perseverance l
do not use in the same line with per-
slstence, for the latter quality if over
INDUCED may cause failure. Persist
ence not coupled with diplomacy is not
altogether beneficial while ''persever-
ance conquers all things These quail
tiles are in time enhanced by expert
enee. To be clever in the handling of
one s natural faculties we must have
opportunity, for experience is to the
mental resources like exercise in the
development of the physical body and
all these fine qualities are brought out
by necessity for [ fear that the great
majority of us would never exert our
selves to bring into use our full powers
unless we were obliged to do so. How
many instances of wasted manhood and
womanhood are brought to our notice
by the public press. Minds that have
Ueen perverted simply from neglect and
uncontrolled indulgence that under the
lash of necessity might have been
brought to a development of the best.
Opportunity will offer sooner or later
for you to show what faculties you
have and how well they have been
trained. Every opportunity that comes
does not lead to successful termination
but if we handle the proposition placed
before US a little better than any one
else could, we have made most de-
clded advance and the result viii be a
gain in confidence which is the most
necessary quality. Confidence is not to
be COMPOUNDED with arrogance for that
is real weakness and prevents any
great achievements. 1t is a very poor
veneer and shows natural defect and
faulty training Many of us remember
how the opportunity came to Tom
Sawyer, Mark Twain s great character,
and how well he displayed his faculty
of perception, not only did he get some
one to do his work but he got paid
for granting the privilege. l do not
cite this as a model to be followed for
/ expect your triumphs will be won by
straightforward, honest work for which
you are so well prepared by the train
ing that has been so carefully given
during your years at Punahou.
A steadfast purpose to achieve some
thing commendable we define as am
bition. 1t is natural gift, it can not
be acquired but it exists in every in
dividual in varying quantity, and quail
ity. 1t often lies dormant until awak
ened by new born influence. 1t is
sometimes killed by misfortune that
brings unconquerable sorrow and dis
tress. | place this quality above and
far superior to mere desire; ambition
has to do with our progress towards
perfection using the term entirely In
its realistic human sense, while desire
| is solely of a material nature. If one
devotes his engergy to becoming a
| great author, artist, orator, or to be
hrst in some good work, he is spurred
on by true ambition and the higher
| he goes the stronger grows the impulse
| to be in the trent ranks. How often
we see some one who seems to be en-
lowed with a special gift but makes
no use of it, his ability while entirely
| apparent is fruitless for want of am
| bition The lack of this quality is
| fatal but fortunately cases of entire
want of ambition are quite ur common.
| Those who have great ambitions but
have failed to derive from their an
cestors other natural gifts and quail
ties that permit of easy climbing seem
to me to have the hardest task to
perform for they have to dig and grind
for all they get but they are almost
always sure winners and stand high in
relative proportion to the quality of
their dominating faculties. 1t goes with
out saving that there are many lines
of instruction that are not derived from
books or other usual means but are abb
sorbed by coming in contact with the
peerless results of the application OF
human genius. These are available to
| us for our assistance and entertainment,
and materially aid in our advancement;
among them are included the great
works of art, literature, and the sci
ences. Have you had the good fortune
to see some famous painting and fels
the In..uence of the inspiration that
guided the master s hand as he placed
the acme of his skin upon the canvas!
Did you not come out from the pres
ence OF the picture upon higher
plane! Have you ever listened to the
inspiring tones on great organ played
by one whose technique and power came
from a soul filed with melody and as
the harmonious and rhythmic measures
have followed one another, have you
not nstened and waited until that one
chord divine has filed you with per
feet peaee3 Have you not heard some
great speaker who by the magic tone
of his voice has lifted you out of your
former sphere and placed you well
above your usual self? If not then
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