The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-27
The Lesson of tho Lilies.


agement when things go to pieces as things have
q way of doing sometimes when the harder we
work the less we apparently have TO snow Tor our
efforts that we should begin to feel that the bar
rem lands in lfes great field have been given
us to work while the fertile spots so easy or cul-
ttvation have been apportioned among our more
fortunate neghbors. We are very likely to ar
que that with all the forces of Nature allied
against us there is but little that we can do,
rather than waste our efforts In trying to break
the hard ground given us to develop the chances
are that we will give up efforts and let Things
go. Our periods Of depression usually sound te
keynote of characters. Sometimes they tempt
us to play the coward by laying down our work
and refusing to acknowledge our responsibilities
and sometimes they make us wonder whether al
ter ALL life is really the wonderful thing that
others say II Is. One fact however, that We 90
not always take into consideration is that when
may achieve with the remarkable aceothpish-
nents of others have in mind only the results
attained and overlook the exertions necessary To
those results, We only the ultimate sue
eesses of Others and scent the incense burning
at their shrnes and we forthwith resent the ap-
parent with which those others have won
their fight But what do we know Of the roads
they have Travelled, of the failures and rebuns
and discouragements which they may have had to
overcome before they stepped out into the glare
of the open? A does not. as a rule pub
lsh his setbacks tell the story of the darker
side of his struggles, but locks these things deep
in his breast and gives only their brilliant sequel
to the world The man who has won success very
probably struck barren lands more than once in
his journey lfe's great stretches, but he
his path there was no room for waste places. and
he learned for himself that there Is no soil so
poor that it cannot be enriched, no field So bar
that it cannot be improved.
There is pretty legend attached to "A dainty
white flower which blooms in profusion at this
season Of the year Many many years ago. 1t is
said, wealthy mandarin died in China and left
his property In equal shares to his two sons, One
Of the latter proved To be dishonest and stole his
brothers share with the exception of stretch
OF barren lands in an almost inaccessible corner
of the estate. One night the unfortunate brother
besought the Great Spirits aid and when he
arose next morning his poor despised lands We're
white with great masses Of tiny lilies. the like of
which had never been seen. Their fame spread
far and wide and people focl<ed from everywhere
to buy the magic flowers and the who had
been robbed Of his inheritance became wealthy
man. The Chinese have named this flower the
sacred water lily. we in this country call 1t
narcissus. and its pure white petals, and slim
green blades, and delicate perfume bring joy to
the hearts of all In short while the Chinese
viii celebrate their New ear, .and we are. told
that in their homes and at all their celebrations
the sacred lily will occupy the post Of honor, so
great Is their reverence for the beautiful flower
The legend is a pretty and helps to illus
trate the point we wish to make. Unless have
gone far beyond the breaking point and become
obsesssed with merciess pessimisn sober re-
fection will show us that no life Is empty that
it cannot be filled, no responsibilities great
that they cannot be- met mo trials so heavy that
they cannot be borne. We are ell here for some
good purpose. No man was ever put into this
world to become useless clog upon humanity.
There is a divinity that shapes ends, rough
take a long time to find out the special purpose
OF lives discover 1t in the long run The
field in which we labor often becomes barren by
reason OF inattenton and indifference, and
often through stupidity. Sometimes If our
exertions improve the soil ever little be-
come overconf1dent and think work is done,
when really It has only just begun. We throw
away the opportunities within reach be-
cause do not recognize their true significance
and fail to appreciate the Importance OF unceas-
ing application. We think that because we have
made the unfruitful land to bloom eor US once
ii must continue to do without further assist
ance from US. and when the neglected soil re-
turns 10 it's original condition We are quick to
inveigh against the DEGREES of Fate Obvious Of
the fact that we ourselves are largely RESPONSE
BILE for misfortunes. Much depends upon our
selves and the fortitude with which we labor
Many a rugged bypath leads to fields of ripened
grain" and while II is possible that way may
be strewn with obstacles, learn a
lesson from the legend OF the lilies. the little
white stars Of earth which we are told first push
ed their way through the hard turf with their
message OF hope for discouraged soul Char
lesion Is. CO News.