The Washington herald., 1910-06-26


versa; 1t seems to be Just as difficult to
accept gracefully the responsibilities and
obligations of a sudden rise to position
and wealth as it is 20 contend patiently
with the discomforts and worries of
sudden failure But he who possesses In
fun measure the God-given faculty OF
adaptability, never forgets himself when
fame is thrust upon him, nor does he
take his temporary losses oyerseriously.
Forever with him. he carries a magic
umbrella, which alike protects him In
sunshine or rain. NJ E. BAILEY.
1gJ Columbia road northwest
To be adaptable is to be receptive and
to grow. In the abstract, mans adapt
ability is largely 10 be thanked for his
present development. Ages ago. when he
swung down from the trees and his tail
weakened and withered away, he found
renewed and broadened life under
strange conditions. Having conquered
the forest he wandered out upon the
plain, and. being adaptable, he absorbed
the spirit of his new environment,
studied the stars. delved in the earth.
and dreamed-another step in the evo-
linton OF mans mind.
The analogy is not far to seek. With
the individual as with the race. the
quality Of adoption is a positive element
toward growth; the growth OF the spirit
ual as we'll as the purely mental The
adaptable man absorbs the traits of va
rious communities and peoples, the in
fiuences of many lands and climates, and
If we have but a grain OF discernment, so
that he may distinguish the wheat from
the chaff, in himself we find the man
OF the future, the superman. the hope of
the race. J. RUSSELL MCCARTHY.
Huntingdon. Pa.
L have been all things TO all men. -
said St Paul. By this he did not mean
that he changed his views to suit cir
cumstances. Paul was no weakling, for
he was known as the hghfing apostle
But he had adaptability. he had diplo-
macy. he had respect for ingrained pre-
judice. for old opinions, against which
he battled earnestly but fairly. And he
was successful. Adaptability is another
version OF the golden rule. You put
yourself In his place, you respect his
opinions, you try to make people feel at
ease in your company, you direct and
control Earring elements In mixed COM
pany. By fair argument and sound logic
you bring others TO your views. You
understand the oneness OF the human
mind in its workings, and while all men
are not built alike all men want to be
treated fairly And this mental attitude
will find you supreme In the physical
world Adapt yourself 10 circumstances
Man is a creature OF circumstance. In
world where we have all kinds Of
weather, and new duties are imposed
upon US daily without as much as saying
''by your leave" that person viii get
along best who makes the circumstances
serve him. rather than to be the sport
of circumstances. HORACE V. BIsBEE
so Taylor street.
Adaptability is a certain inexpIicabIe
grace OF manner. the patent OF no.
bility" which heaven beStows upon man.
and those who possess ii quickly catch
the harmony of Gods work. A great
soul lets itself OUT has the quick ear
the open eye. the judging taste. that fit
into circumstances. True wisdom comes
By experience. and he who shrinks from
contact with his fellow-man: who fails
10 take his share of their burdens. their
joys; their sOrrows. and their suffer
ings is ignorant OF human nature, and
knows nothing OF his own heart; nothing
OF It's fierce war-like Joy; nothing of its
broad spirit and lofty emotions. Adapt
ability then is the hidden beauty man
carries into his position. the congruity
between nature and circumstances, and
expands, nberalizes. vitalizes his veins,
emotions. and purposes.
ALLID SHARPE BALCH.
Is1s Euclid street.
The man who sits idle. content with old
methods and practices in this age of
advancement, transition. and opportunity
along all lines will be left behind in the
battle of life. If the people interested
in the moral intellectual, and mutual
uplift could imbibe a lesson from the
commercial world In the matter of an
ticipatory adaptability and cooperation,
the results would be surprising.
The business man must be on the alert
for evidence Of changing conditions. and
when a change occurs he must have his
business adapted thereto: whereas the
reformer must cope with conditions
growing out of methods and practices
over which he has no knowledge or con-
troll. Cannot optimists see the lesson In
this, in its applicability TO work for the
general uplift; for one thing IL means
commence help where Il will do most
good; that is. begin by helping the chill
dren.
There is something good. something
adaptable with mutual advantage and
benefit in the life of every earnest and
honest person: fHd it and act accord
ingly NJ. @. WEEKS.
Room 7o4 Post-ofaee Department
The laws Of nature may not always
appeal TO our sentiment. but if condi-
tons which seem foreign to our idea
of life should better serve to lift our
fellow-man to a higher and nobler life.
the true optimist adapts himself threto.
Adaptability. in the sense best under
stood by the >optimist is one of the
most admirable and useful elements OF
human existence. II makes the world a