The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-06-27

or traveller Is called upon 10 en-
dure hardship. There are storms on
life's sea, battles on life's plains n
steep and rugged places in life's path
way. In every conception of life the
spirit Of heroism Is demanded.
The great admirals. the great COM
manders, the great pathfinders in
earth's history are not the only he =
roes. and indeed are not the greatest
heroes in life's experience.
The great heroes and heroines are
not those who subdue and rule over
kingdoms, but those who gain domin-
ion over self and adorn their live
with the %princely virtues of courage
and benevolence.
"He that ruleth his own spirit IL
greater than he that taketh a city"
The need of highest praise is due
to those whose valiant souls have trt-
umphed wei the infirmity of lifelong
invalidism, and through years Of bod
lily pain and anguish have ceased not
to minister to the wants of others.
First on the roll of honor are the
heroes and heroines OF the sick bed.
A picture rises before me of a room
and couch from which for many long
years flowed a radiance OF loving SYM
pathy and generous service. On that
couch lies the frail body incasing the
sublime spirit of Miss Jennie Cassa-
day of Louisville. Ky. In her early
girlhood she met with an accident b a
placed her upon an invalid's bed for
the remainder of her life. She organ
ICED what is known as the Flower
Mission" and every day for % years
planned and directed the distribution
Of flowers to those in prisons and in
hospitals.
Strength Often In Weakness.
Her life was a beautiful expression
Of the heroism that may be found in
the common, everyday life of men and
women. We so often forget that
there may be strength In weakness,
and when we forget it we fail to be-
come heroes or heroines.
We look for great opportunities, and
for health, strength and vigor, that
we may seize them and do great
things; but heroism is in doing all
the good we can in face of hindrances
and limitations. There is nothing he
roic in doing easy things. And all
the easy things to do are of no great
value when done. All the things of
real Importance are gained by self
denying effort.
All may be heroes If they will. It
is a question only Of devotion and
courage in discharging to the utmost
limit the obligations Of the brother
hood of man.
We all recognize and applaud the
heroism of those who devote their
time and energy to the uplift, to the
comfort, to the cheer of their fellow
men.
Why should we not ourselves do
What we commend SO highly in 9TH
When we think Of Florence Nightin-
gale in her sublime ministry of love
and service to her country's soldiers
our hearts glow in appreciation of the
gratitude displayed by the English
soldier who kissed her shadow as it
fell upon his pillow.
We may not all have the spirit of
conservation in the degree manifested
by Jennie Cassaday, Florence Night
ingale and thousands of others, both
of men and women, who have been
such heroes and heroines in the com
mon walks Of life, but we may imi-
tate them by exercising the spirit of
h%elpfulness within the range Of our
limitations and environments.
Heroes Little Heard OF.
Among the heroes of everyday life
are those in the home, In the work
shop, in the store. in the profession.
who are carrying heavy burdens Of
sorrow, adversely or misunderstand-
ing, yet who toll on uncomplainingly,
doing their work faithfully, patiently
and bravely bearing their cross and
as far as possible keeping its shadow
from falling on others. 4
1t is a brave heart that keeps hid
den the troubles which disclosure
would not help but only add to wor-
ries of others. We meet such heroes
every day. We do not always, or even
often, know them, until years pass
and the tragedy Of their lives of un-
complaining fortitude is revealed. In
such lives human nature is exalted.
The grace of God alone could have
sustained them. We know that God is
good and that their reward will be
great.
Other heroes of everyday life are
those who make munificent gifts of
money to the causes of ~benevolence
and charity. On this roll are the
names of the George P~eabodys, James
Lenoxes and Moses H. Grinnells, who
have given tens and hundreds of thou
sands of dollars to furthering good
objects.
The heroes of beneyolence consti-
tute a long and bonored roll; but it is
not sure that those who have given
their thousands OF millions stand at
the head of the roll. Those who out
of pinching poverty give for the help
Of others are the greater heroes.
Those who have not enough to sat
isfy their own hunger, yet give a por-
ton to others who are hungry; those
who have only a days supply of fuel,
yet divide 1t with others who have
no fuel, and those who, like the mis-
sionary, give up home and It's joys and
devote their lives amid dangers and
great trials to help others to a higher
and better life. These are immortal