The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-15
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

Kul David" 1 Sam. IS: Gle.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
The books on success" say little
about 1t, and sermons are rarely heard
upon IL. but the truth is that Jealousy
Is one of the ruling forces OF life. Ev-
erybody who dwelis in the world of
actualities knows that this is one Of the
factors of existence to be reckoned
with at every stage. The low have 1t
IN it's grosser, brazen forms, and the
high and great are not exempt from IT:
SauPs throne was not the only seat Oh
power made uncomfortable by this ig-
noble passion; and he was not the last
among the mighty to follow Jealousy
with Injustice and cruelty.
This is an ugly truth. The rosewater
school OF philosophers shut their eyes
to It. But only on a basis Of admitted
realities can progress in character be
attained. Ny own first acquaintance
with the existence of the thing called
jealousy remains wildly In my mem
DRY as one of LIES revelations. IL
boy, had gone, to see congress OF
fat women. The latest of them all
was the Jersey Lily" but her neigh
Dor on the platform was the more in
terestingly introduced because she had
lately become a bride, and her hus-
band was on show, too. While the
crowds attention was conferred upon
the bride and groom, saw the
Jersey Lily, whose intellect was CYL
IDENTIFY not in proportion of her avoir-
dupois. openly weeping from anger and
Jealousy. When her turn came to be
introduced she displayed her huge
bulk, shaking the immense rolls or
flesh on her orms at her rival as II TO
say. You may have husband, put
I'm fatter than you, anyway" This
puerile, ridiculous exhibition gave me
my first linking of that thing known
as professional Jealousy, which L nave
Al In. al re
hideousness among stagefolk. polltl-
clans, preachers, athletes, doctors ana
business men. King Saul will come in
for universal condemnation in connec-
ton with this Sunday school lesson;
but let US not forget that he has many
successors.
JayeIins for the Successful.
We do not throw javelins at sue
cessful rivals, as Saul did at David; but
our modern slang substitutes" hammer
and KNOCK" This petty business OF
disparaging and dispraisine everybody
who has accomplished aught is proba-
bly, as truly an "evil spirit as that
which beset the jealous king OF Israel
IT was unroyal in him, as 1t is un-
manly in us. A deal of Scriptural pre-
cept and example is compounded INTO
the modern phrase; s DON k lows
with abnormal rapldity; soon the CEN
serious critic finds himself feared. per-
haps. but not loved. While no plea is
made here for that gelatinous type OF
character that would speak only good
of even Satan, yet II may fairly pc
pointed out that those persons who
have cultivated the trait of frank ana
outspoken praise, and VINO are ready
with the word of cheer and encourage
ment, are the ones whom people love
and cultivate. A jealous king may have
many courtiers, but no friends:
Saul, with his javeiin, seeking the
life of young David, who lad COM
mitted no offense except that OF nav
ing done with conspicuous AFFINITY
whatever became his duty, is not with
out it's parallel today. One OF the
Illusions of youth is that the whole
world waits to help the worthy; tnat
there is room at the top" ana that
everybody stands ready to give hft
to the climber. Down on the lower
rungs of the ladder Of achievement
this is true; but the higher one climbs
the fewer helping hands he hnds ana
the more kicks and puu-backs. Many
a promising career has been wrecked
by the javelin of the particular saul
whom it served. Denied opportunity,
hindered, and repressed at every turn,
innumerable persons of ability nave
failed because of the Jealousy, selnsh-
ness and meanness Of their employers
or superior officers. Not all of US have
David's skill at lodging javelins.
In the clear light OF history we per-
ceive the madness of Saurs course.
Had he, and all his modern imitators.
possessed wisdom and imagination, ne
would have perceived the short-sight-
edness and folly of antegonizing the
one whose force of character marked
him as a possible successor. He might
have known that some day, such being
fate's habit, he himself would be In
the power of the hated young rival
o1n az
have regarded David with pride and
encouragement; and have entered into
an alliance with him. He, and all
others who in any wise control a young
mans future, should have realized the
saeredness of his obligation to grow,
and to develop his best powers. In
stead of trying to ''break" him, or to
confine him to the sphere of syco-
phantio subordinate (Which is many an
employers ideal of success for his
enployes) he should have given the
young man chance If superiors
would oftener disinterestedly try TO
help their subordinates, instead of
trying merely to get the most out OF
them for their own advantage, the
highest welfare of both parties would
be served.
Measuring the Applause.
Persons In public life are very zeal
Gus OF the amount of attention and ap-
piause given them and the length and
character Of the newspaper notices
they receive Just SO Saul's anger was
awakened by the fact that when the
army of Israel returned from pur-
suing the Philistines. the dancing girls
sang:
saul hath slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands"
The heart burning which fills the
breast of the prima donna when her
rival gets more of the limelight than
she, or a seconds longer applause,
fared up within Saul when he heard
the stripping hero honored above him.
He was Every wroth," lacking that es-
sential greatness which can view an