The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-02
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

3 L.
Turning aside from the convention
al stories of successful men, which too
often tell only what the writer's think
it would be profitable for the public
to read, and looking squarely at the
facts of notable public careers, we
find that the strong are the steadfast-
The undismayed soul, which can pur-
sue a goal in the face of all obstacles,
is usually the cOnquering soul. Real
patience is not a weak virtue, the
refuge of the defeated; it is a quality
of the mighty, an element of victory.
Thus, when the great apostle prayed
for his Thessalonian friends that they
might be directed Into the patience of
Christ" the word he used for patience
was one commonly translated stead
fastness.''
To enter into "the steadfastness of
Christ'-is there aught that our Chris
tan life and work today needs more
than this? Half the problems that
beset Christian leaders would be solved
could the rank and file of us be count
ed upon to stand steady at our APP
pointed tasks. A convention speaker
once grouped church members under
three heads:
The workers.
The jerkers.
The ShirkerS.
That is, there are always the few that
bear the burden of kingdom service,
the heirs of the patience of the daunt-
less-Souled Jesus. Another large group
work internationally, by fits and starts,
as they come under the impulse of
special Indictment. A third group, so
large that we dislike to contemplate
it, frankly do nothing. One large con-
gregation recently took a canvass of
its men, and found only twenty-five
out of six hundred doing specific ser
vice in or for the church. The three
fold classification recalls the homely
rhyme,
What kind of church would my
If all its members were just like me?'
The secret of patience? The New
Testament proclaimed it: Endured as
seeing Him who is invisible" Pa
tience depends upon vision. If the far
is clear, the near will not be vexa-
tious. Only great motive can make a
great life A passion for Christ ere
ates the patience of Christ
The log-book of Columbus is said to
have borne repeatedly the entry, This
day we sailed on That is all. Be
hind lay defeat; ahead lay hope;
face of fear and suspicion and tradi-
lions, Columbus sailed on. The lesson
is one for life, and Lowell has pointed
it in the lines upon Columbus,
endurance is the crowning quality,
And patience all the passion of great
hearts"
Patience is the best remedy for ev-
cry trouble.-Plautus.
A visit to the ruins of Nineva and
Babylon and Thebes is wholesome, es-
pecially for US of this western world
It is an aid to perspective. The CEN
turtles and millenniums which are repre-
scented by these now dead cities pro-
mote patience. History's day is a long
one. All desirable things are not to
be accomplished in a few years. Some
consciousness of the patience of God in
dealing with the human race is gained
by these new impressions of the long,
long stretches of history. The purposes
of the Almighty with mankind are in
finite; he can therefore afford to wait
for their fulfllment. since in his sight
a thousand years are but day.
Higher than fear and stronger than fate
Are love and faith that patiently wait.
Anon.
There are imitation virtues as we'll
as i'm tation soaps. Weakness and
cowaroice often masquerade pa
tience. Sometimes we endure evils that
we should abolish. And often we claim
credit for the Christian virtue of pa
thence when we are but suffering the
rightful reward of our own misdeeds
A sensible warning is given by the
Apostle Peter on this point: For what
glory is it, if, when we sin, and are
buffeted for it, we shall take it patient
ly? but if, when we do well, and suffer
for it, we shall take it patiently, this is
acceptable with God. For hereunto
were We called: because Christ also suf-
fered for you, leaving you an example,
that We should follow his steps,
He that hath patience may accom-
plish anything.-Rabelais.
Heroism is sometimes shown in dar-
ing, but oftener in enduring.
The patience that does not outward