The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-29
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
"The rich mans son does not have
a fair chance in these days" recently
declared Mr.. J. Campbell White, who
was pointing out that it takes discip-
line in burden-bearing, self-denial and
responsibility to bring a youth to
manhoods full measure. Many a great
man has pointed to the school Of
hardship as the secret Of his success.
Soft times make soft characters. There
is no automobile road to greatness.
Hard experiences are needed to pro-
duce hardy spirits.
Tho best thing that can befall per-
son who looks forward to any sort of
sovereignty is a bitter succession OF
hard times. Let him have, as did Da-
vid, few active, powerful enemies
and a great trial that will go down to
the uttermost depths of his soul. Give
him occasion to test the primal Verf-
ties; and to have to rely upon his own
wisdom and courage and persistence
for safety. The only justification for
any sort OF hazing in college is this
true principle, that hardship and op-
preston have an educational value.
For, after all. what is the ultimate use
Of education except to help person
find his own soul.
Songs Out OF Sorrows.
Thus David became a king. In the
school Of exile and persecution he
II
confident step and even eye that he
eventually came to his coronation; he
learned that confident step scaling the
obstacles of the wilderness, and that
even eye by looking into the ever
present face of danger The seven
years of pursuit by Saul, during which
David "ate bitterness" as the Chinese
say, were the years that proved the
worth of Jesses son.
More than that, out of those seven
years were born many or most OF the
immortal Psalms of David, which
have meant more to the human race
than the rise or fall of a myriad kings.
The world would be but slightly inter
ested in David as a king were it not
for his songs in the night" Out of
the depths of his personal sorrows he
uttered the sentiments of the untver-
sal heart. The Psalms are the most
contemporaneous of literature, be-
other form of words, what men and
women are feeling today. Comfort and
complacency do not heed poetry; it
is commonly said that the prosperity
of this generation is responsible for
its lack of great poets, as well as for
its multitude of petty rhymesters. The
poet must learn in suffering what he
teaches in song" David sounded the
DEPTHS of loneliness, despair and sin,
ere he could sound the notes which
have vibrated as bugle calls through
the nations.
A Young Mans Testing.
A fair test Of anybody's calibre is
whether he takes what is coming to
him without whimpering. How does
he face hard times? Can he even meet
undeserved enmity and punishment in
high souIed fortitude? David had de-
served only honor from Saul and Is
rael: insteal, he was treated with tg
nj frn
not turn out according to story book
fashion--which is one OF the shatter-
ing discoveries made by most young
men who enter upon a wide range OF
activities. There was danger that Da-
vid's faith in the verities, and in the
oId-fashioned religion OF his country
mother and father, would be shaken.
He was thrown among evil compan-
ions who scored at the pious teach
ings unsophisticated home folk.
But David kept the faith. He got the
best out Of his trials and not the worst.
Troubles are always chariots; it is with
us TO choose whether we shall ride in
them or be crushed by them. In the
first place, David decided to play fair.
He would not match meanness with
Tneanness, disloyalty with disloyalty.
SnRratit1lde with ingratitude. Like
man a noble business man of today,
in a world full OF trickery and decep-
tion. he determined to do the right
thing, or go under in the attempt.
Even for the sake of his own charac-
ter, he could not afford to do a mean
deed Saul's ingratitude he met with
fnagnanimity. Twice he spared the
rnonarch's life, when he had him alb
solutely in his power; for David had
kept his respect for the Lords anoint-
ed shrewd David must also have per-
ceived. In the example Of Sauls de-
generacy, how great a price one must
nf vi
ed to maudlin and inconstant remorse,