Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-12-15

difficulties we will never show the quail
tiles of real heroism.
The achievements of nature at which
we gaze in wonder and amazement are
in many instances the result of the
restless force of perseverance. Stroke
after stroke of the pick-ax and spade
will in time level mountains. Who has
not seen the deep ravines that are made
by the continual wearing of the small
streams upon the rocks9
Upon the shore of Lake Superior are
great rocks which were once very rug.
ged and irregular but have been worn
by the long continued beating of the
waves upon them, to comparatively
smooth surface. The difficulties in life
may be compared to the rocks and can
be modified by he same process, by ap-
plying small unceasing force to them
Petty operations incessantIv contin-
ued will surmount the greatest Difficult.
ties. The policy that can strike only
while the iron is hot will be overcome
i by a perseverance which will make the
! iron hot by striking.
! All the men and women who have ac-
quircd greatness in this world are those
who know no such word as fail Defeat
only gave them power. difficulty taught
them the necessity of redoubed exer-
tions, danger gave them courage and
i the sight Of labor inspired in them cor
responding exertions. 1t does not mat
ter how improbable or how far.awav
this realization may seem, or how dark
i the prospects may be, if we visualize
/ them as best we can, as wildly as
possible, hold to them tenacously and
vigorously struggle to attain them,
they will gradually become actually
realized in the life. But desire, a
longing, a yearning abandoned or held
indifferently will vanish without reali-
cation. Human life is SO constru tied
that we live largely upon hope; the
faith that runs ahead and sees what
the physical eye connot see.
Fortune, success and fame are never
gained but by sticking to thing un-
til it is fairly accomplished. We must
carry thing through to- the end if
we expect to be anybody or to do any
thing. The world admires a stern, de-
termined doer.
TO show the qualities of herosm we
must be self-reliant. God never meant
that strong, independent beings should
be reared by clinging to others for sup
port as the ivy clings to the oak
Those who are ira med in self -reliance
are ready to 90 out and contend in
the sternest conflict of life, while
those who have leaned for support on
those around them are never ready to
burst through the storms of adversitv
that arise. When misfortune comes
they look around for something to cling
to or to lean upon, and is support is
not there, down they fall and cannot
arise by their own strength.
1t is seldom that acts of great phys
zeal daring are called for, but rather
the real heroism Of life. which is to
do all the little things faithfully and
promptly. There are no such things
as trifes in the affairs of men. Drops
make up the sea, acorns cover the earth
with oaks, sands. make up the bar in
the harbor's mouth on which the YES
sells are wrecked. Little acts are the
element Of time greatness. They raise
life s value as the opponents in arith-
mctlc. arise larger sums to their higher
power. \ word, smile or a frown
are little things, but they are very
powerful for good or evil. The happi-
ness of our lives is made up of the lit
tie courtesies, kindnesscs, pleasant
words, good wishes and good wishes and
good deeds, moments are the golden
sands of time. Every day is little
life in itself and our lives are but a
day repeated The little things in
youth accumulated to character in old
age. and if the little things of life are
made beautiful and good, then the
whole life is full Of beauty and good
ness.
1t is heroism for one to make sacri-
noes Tor that which he thinks is right
or to anything that will also add to
the dignity and lovableness of every
one who possesses it. Then why should
we not all do all We can to cultivate
this admirable quality?
Everybody is born a hero, but it is
of life that heroism gains it's best de.
velopment. Notifying failures may
attend this effort and that. but only
those who are brave and struggle on.
8ho yield not the influence of sad, only
through the darkness and storminess,
who have a self-relance which will not
be batfled by OPPOSITION, and a persit-
enre which will not countenance failure,
but with firm hand and a stauncl
heart, push on in their heroic resolve
will ever gain the attainment of high
err goal.
Life is vital affair and each one
of us is born to the task of performing
some part in it. Man was sent into
this world to be a growing, exhaust
less force. The world around him is
to be seized and conquered. Every dav
brings him new duties to be performed,
and new problems to be solved. He
may meet the conditions. seize the on.
portunities and do much for himself
and for humanity, or. he may float down
the stream of life like a straw blown
on the bosom of a. river and leaves
nothing by which he may be remem-