Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-17
Sunday Morning Talk
The Courage to Wait for Results.

The Courage TO Wait Tor Results.
One Of the best and most useful citizens
of my acquaintance came to me the other
day, his face all aglow over the happy out
come Of certain efforts which he has been
putting forth necessarily for years in the
interests of the public. Said he: For
long time we have been besleging the
authorities for the passing of measures
designed to tighten the lot Of certain UNI
fortunates, and usually the cold shoulder
has been turned toward us. But this win
ter we have succeeded In getting about
what we want A less courageous re-
former would have turned away In dis
gust and despair. but he had the grit to
stick to his job. and In due time pubic
sentiment turned in his direction.
Would that all reformers and agitators
for a better day had such sweet and
patient stick-to-a-tiveness There are too
many of the type represented by that ar
claimed THE trouble is. I'm in hurry
and God isn't" Those who desire to have
all the wrongs of society righted before
sunset are bound to be disappointed, and
will chafe and fret over the delayed mil
lennum. But he who has learned how to
take defeat. who falls only to rise again
who believes in the justice OF his cause IS
the man who in time usually carries his
point Public opinion. when a campaign or
agitation and education has gone on for
a while. is likely to be aroused. and ne VINO
stood at first alone or with very few.
finds the great majority OF his feliow citi-
Gems lined up with him.
In the home there Is ample field to ex-
ercise this virtue of courageously Waiuns
for results Sometimes 1t seems as !, those ,ss
little colts the children, would never get
tanned Goodness me. are they breaking
the furniture again and leaving the MARKS
Of lead pencils on painted walls! Are the
warnings. the threats, the gentle persua-
sions, the tender admonitions designed to
produce good table manners and brother
ly and sisterly consideration going 1or
naught?
shy child, that secretive one. that wiiitui
one? Well, the soil may now seem TO De
thin or rocky. the ideal children for wnich
we long may seem altogether lm ps thsy
will quiet down, that they Will In time pc
come orderly and useful members OF the
company and fulfil In large measure the
fond hopes of their parents.
And in the region of personal character
we also must often wait courageously lor
attachments which are necessarily the
fruitage not of one spasmodic eHort or
even of many weeks of endeavor. but which
come. as the bud swells into the blossom.
and the blossom in turn hardens into the
fruit. The making Of a character taxes
time. Self-control. steadiness OF purpose
large mindedness, goodness, charitabieness,
do not spring up In a night. AS the hus-
bandman, according to the apostle James
.'waiteth for the precious fruit Of the earth
being patient over it," learn thou also TO
give yourself time. In one of the greatest
battles Of the civil war a general was
watching his troops pushing their way up
q steep hill against whitening fire. They
His chief Of star said quietly, Time, gen
eral, time, give them time" And they did
reach the top.
But Is there not risk In this point of
view7 Wiir it not make US careless and
lazy? Not IL 1t Is rightly understood Only
those can have courage to wait for re-
suits who are doing their utmost day by
and the shirk have no business to expect
any results But our message q one Of