The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-12
The Best Beyond.
Terse Comments for October IS. You
Can Do Better" II Peter 3:S-18.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIs.)

1.-THE best is yet to be- That word
of the poet which but paraphrases
many Scripture promises is a good
creed in itself God has set no limits
to mortal capacity for growth and
achievements; the limitations are all
handmade. There is no insuperable
obstacle to persons keeping right
on growing until he slip across the bor-
der into the limitless life where the Dor
of growth still obtains. DR.. Richard 3
Holmes died a few days ago, after
passing his SEVENTEEN birthday, and
the common judgment of his friends is
that his last editorial was his best. His
powers steadily ripened and grew rich
e. unto the end. At seventy he was
doing such work as he never aspired
to attempt at forty. What was actually
in the case of Richard S. Holmes is pos
sibility in the case of all of us. You
can do better" the stirring challenge
OF this topic, is more than exhirtation:
it is a statement of profund truth.
The person who is satisfied with
himself or his work is easily pleased.
When a person finds himself telling
OLD stories. repeating the jokes of ten
years, quoting the poetry he used to
know, expressing himself in well-worn
phrases, he would do we'll to go into
executive session with himself, to con-
slider whether or not he has ceased
growing. Is his mind becoming set
like plaster; or is it still plastic and
impressionable? Acquisition is sign OF
growth. The minister who uses
old sermons is, in the language of the
street, "a dead one" The life that is
growing must be alert to the present;
for life is essentially contemporaneous
A wise acrostic upon how to grow
was framed by DR.. Maltbie D. Bah
RIGHT
ON
WORKING
Gourds grow to their height in a
season-and then perish The oak tree
keeps on growing through the centuries.
Slow development. which retains every
inch it has gained is commonly the
most enduring. So let US be patient
with ourselves. Character culture takes
time.
purpose runs,
And the thoughts of men are widened
with the process ofthe suns
Most girls are keenly bent on be-
coming attractive. That is as it
who are trying to be attractive for
today. without thought for the long
tomorrow, is beyond words. The
needless girl who bleaches her hair
yellow, because blonde hair is the
vogue, takes no thought of the in
evitable day when che must undergo
the humiliation of letting the natural
color reappear. to the dcrision of all
beholders. TIE silly miss who seeks
complexion by way of the rouge
pot, rather than by fresh air and
living, is taking a short
view that will cost her dear. 1t is
better to be winsome at forty than
pretty at twenty; better to be a
old woman than striking
young belle. All of which is written
only in illustration of the truth that
any improvement worth while should
be permanent. AS we seek to be bet |
tee and to do better, let us take long
views; and not sacrifice d life prize |
for q momentary triumph.
Much of the days talk about sue |
cess" lacks definition. All real sue
eesses are in character. Life is ever
greater than individual actions. The |
successes which warm the heart at |
LIES eventfde are those which have /
entered into character
great goal and great incentive
are essential to great progress. For
the Christian, Christ is both object /
ard inspiration. 81 can do all things
through Christ who Strengthened |
me- is a master motto for the disciple.
That nPnfnlInd