Norwich bulletin., 1911-08-19
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
THE HABIT OF PICKING UP
HORSESHoES.

Everyone knows that the horseshoe
is an emblem of good fortune. Most
of us will stop On the road to rescue
one from the dust. We have hazy
notion that somehow this discarded
equine footwear will bring US luck. We
nail it up on the shed door and wait
for the fairies to begin delivering their
gifts. If it is left lying in the road,
there is no telling how soon we shall
lose money or break a limb or meet
some other calamity.
The old superstition comes out OF a
remote past. 1t is part of an early
belief that the horseshoe was a pro-
lection against witches. 1t is said that
for this reason a horseshoe was at one
time nailed over nearly every door in
London.
What value now really inheres in
Dobbin's old shoe that you so care
fully carry home? The value of the
amount that the junk man will give
you. for your treasure-no less and no
more. As a guarantee of fortune YOU
may as well have nailed up an Oil can
or a scruobing brush or a pine shing'e.
We are led. as you see, gentle reader,
into a discussion of the whole subject
of luck. a subject on which not all OF
US doubtless will agree. We make bold
to ask whether there really is any such
thing. May we rightly speak of chance
in this universe? Does anything ever
merely happen? Is the world run by
conditions that are without rhyme OF
reason?
OF course the whole spirit of present
Cay thinking answers no. II there is
one thing which modern science is
one thing of which modern science IS
convinced it is that the universe is one
of law. Every effect is preceded by q
cause. Nothing, absolutely nothing.
comes to pass without adequate ground
deep down in the texture of the uni
verse. AS regards every minutest OPP
GRAFTON of nature, science upholds the
proposition of those enterprising peo-
pie who tell US why we should use
certain popular cereal, namely, There's
a reason.
is true also of human nature. Chance
is ruled out of the moral world no less
than out of the physical. OF course
we must notice that some meet con
slant success in this world while
athers NEST equally constant failure.
Some find life a long. hard way while
for others it is rose-strewn. There is
a great inequality in human lots.
All we mean to claim is that if we
could see deeply enough into any con-
dition occupied by man we should see
that there is a reason for the condi
ton. No man is either the favorite
of chance or its victim either because
IN the last analysis of the matter,
there is no such thing as chance.
Everything that occurs is in accord
with law and order.
It is bad theory and bad practice both
to sit around waiting for luck" to
,ring us our desires. Success comes
to those who fulfill right conditions.
We gain The prizes of life for which
W willing in of
labor, self-6enial and persistence. In
the old story Aladdin had but to rub
his magical lamp to summon obliging
genii who satisfied his every within.
But that sort Of talisman exists only in
ficticn. The real ge1lii who bring gifts
to men are named effort, foresight and
endurance.
Where is there a stronger state
ment of tie general truth than in those
New Testament words, Whatsoever
man sowath, that shall he also reap
1t is simply an assertion of the pres
ence of law in the lives of men. 1t
leaves no room for chance. 1t bars
cut the horseshoe conception of things
completely. 1t asserts that We orr
selves are the fashioners OF cur own
care ers.
1t is easy to blame our luck For
the. failures that We, encounter. We
ere tamrted to assume that men arc
like leaves to be blown hither and
yon by the chance winds of destiny.
But all that is wrong reasoning. Eacn
human heirs RAY say with the puet
Henley. Il am the master of my fate
That puts the ultimate responsibility
" here it belongs.
Pick up horseshoes if YOU will but
don't expect that they will bring ,-ou
arSthins more than the market PRICE
for old iron.N
THE PARsoN.