The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-05-27

10000 slaves forth to their task of build
ing pyramid, great mind discovered
steam. Intellect achieved an instru-
ment for lifting blocks of granite to
their proper place. In that hour
thought made possible the freedom of
innumerable slaves, but the heart of
the tyrant held no love for his bonds
men. The age into which you step is
far different from any other. Our age
has heart and sympathy allotted to it
alone. The age of Cicero was ever
fraught with cruelty as was the Gre
clan and many others in their turn.
Even in Shakespeare the springs of
genius were not in the mind alone but
in the heart. The heart of the great
poet could not see the apple blossom
without hoping that no unkindly frost
would nip it, could not look upon the
lucious grapes without wishing that no
hailstorm would despoil or destroy.
Likewise when he looked upon the
youth, in innocence, embarking on life's
rough way. His heart would long for
success and prosperity.
Or the bride on her way to the altar
always touched the heartsprings of his
life making them to flow out in sym
pathetic tenderness for her we'll being
and happiness. With him depth Of
mind was depth of heart.
The great factor or principle of reac-
tion in life's character must be met. To
the mystery of life and death must be
added the mystery of growth.
Rocks cannot grow, diamonds do not
grow nor dust. But a shrunken bulb
becomes beautiful lily, tiny seed
becomes the giant tree. Men are more
or less familiar with all the forms of
nature, yet this familiarity does not rob
them of their mystery, no jeweler ever
plants watch expecting to reap a
harvest of stem winders. No engineer
would think Of planting cannon ball
in hopes of growing a mogul engine,
yet if this were possible it would not
be more wonderful than the seed be-
coming the plant or mighty pine.
Not greater than taking the life of an
ten years of allotted development,
formulate the giant philosopher or
mighty philanthropist. Oppor tunity is
whatever man can do, that is what he
ought to do.
The joy of achievement or hopes
harvest is ''The Summun Bonum" of all
ambition.
The soul is monarch of three King
doms; man lives at once in the past, the
present ana the future. Memory presides
over yesterday, today is ruled by
reason, tomorrow is under the sway of
hope. What YOU truly hope for today
you will be tomorrow.
Some one has said that life is like
unto a vine, it's trunk manifest in the
present, it's roots deeply buried in the
past, it's branches throwing themselves
forward, ripening fruit for days yet to
come.
God governs men through the regency
Of hope.
It's scope and inspiration are measure
less.
Alexander the great had hope but it
was shortsighted, while he had in his
power the nations of the world, yet his
own life was running rampant in I'M
restrained passions. The worlds for
which he sighed were to be found in
his own being. How different the pious
Simeon of New Testament time as he
held the Bethlehem child in his arms for
blessing. He, with others, had long
hoped for tho fulfilment of prophecy.
Realizing the joy of his hope achieved
he sang from a greatful heart "Now
lettest Thou thy servant depart in
Peace for | have seen the Glory of the
Lord
Likewise Paul 81 have fought a good
fight, l have kept the faith These are
the outbursts of purposeful souls at
the end of the journey. Having laid a
foundation of hope, let not the material
eclipse the spiritual.
The late President Mckinley was
greater in his moment of death than in
all of the achievements of his wonder
full life. His dying words, ellis will be
done" portrayed to the whole civilized
world, the possibility of being de.
voted, spiritual man in high Office
He beckons us on. At your grave, be
it early or late, should be laid finished
life. So live that your very presence
will make bad men good.
William Pom gives us never dying
call to the fuller life of aim. 81 expect
;. to pass through this life but once,
there is any kindness or any good thine
that may do to my fellow beings le1
me do it now. Let me not defer it.
shall pass this way but once"
In closing let us learn with Symonds
! '.soul, rule myself, on passion, deed, desire,
Lay thou the laws of thy deliberate will,
} Stand at thy chosen post, faiths sentinel;
Tho hells lost legions ring thee round with fire.
Learn to endure Dark vigil hours shall tire
ny wakeful eyes, regrets thy bosom thrill;
Slow years thy loveless flower OF youth shall KILL
Yea thou shalt yearn for lutte and wanton Tyre.
!. Yet Ia thy guerdon great; thine the reward
9 OF those elect, who, scorning Circes lure,
Grown early wise make living light their Lord,
Masters not slaves; over their heads the pure
Heavens bew and gun dan seraphs wave Gods swert