The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1915-05-28

cannot do this by shirking our daily
tasks. Self-denial is the secret OF
all success. The bitterest enemy one
can have is self. Nothing noble or
excellent will ever exist unless the
character exercises in self-denial.
Prove that you can control yourself
and you are an educated person.
Education is not merely for the pur-
pose of filing the mind with the
:, thoughts of others but rather to
lprepare the mind for the problems
which it has to meet in the world
to bring out the particular faculties
of the individual The benefits de-
rived from perfection" an an Ideal
are numerous. Is it not wiser to
have an ideal that is beyond our
reach than one which is easily OBJ
tained? With perfection" we are
constantly spurred to higher
achievements. We are necessarily
striving to put forth our best.
Perfection is not reached by imi-
Itating. When one initiates he mere
Ily falls in line with his predecessor
and generally repeats his mistakes
unconsciously. Each one is tried
alone as to his faults and virtues.
We must individually give an ac-
count of our deeds. Thus it be-
hooves us to equip ourselves in the
best way possible.
A truly high character results
from perfection as an ideal. The
higher the ideal, the nobler the
character. With perfection as an
ideal there is always bright light
burning in the distance before us,
always an urgent call prompting us,
always something better a little fur
ther on. We know that "the roses
have thorns, each day it's night, the
sun at times shows spots and faults
of some kind lurk in every bosom
yet we are comforted by the fact
that all things are possible for "as
man thinketh in his heart so is
| he"
| The orator selected for the oc-
casion was Rev. Bert Wade Hamp-
ton, now located at Hickman, KY,
formerly with one of the leading
| lyceum companies on the lecture
platform, who, on the subject of the
Passing of Provincialism, deliver
ed one of the most profound ad-
dresses ever heard here or anywhere,
according to the opinion of many of
the large audience which filled the
theatre. 1t was really a surprise
that a distinguished platform pulpit
orator was about to speak to this
audience of pupils, teachers, patrons
and friends of the school. 1t was in
deed more than a surprise to hear
an orator with subject so full of
beauty, charm and power. The
Passing of Provincialism" by Rev. |
Hampton should be given promi-
nent place with the works of the
worlds greatest philosophers. Sor-
ry we cannot reproduce the lecture
in full, but some of the references
herewith will probably be interest
ing:
PASSING OF PROVINCIALISM.
Rev. Hampton began by saying
that he would not be grateful unless
he undertook to show his apprecia-
tion for the opportunity of address
ing one of the greatest high schools
in the United States. "You have
something to feel justly proud of
and have something to appreciate"
the speaker said.
"The steps of God in the sands
of time are centuries apart" ETC.,
by way of introducing his theme,
and he knew of no better way of
its gist than by telling
a story. So the speaker took chair
and began: "a number of years
ago." he said, 81 was enjoying the
solitude of the Ozarks, One bright
morning in the middle of @ily
took a holiday slowly winding my
way up the mountain side to a
plateau, then southwark sometime
enjoying the beauties of nature.
the wagon road disappeared
and 1 took the pathway leading far
ther on that came to an end in
deep ravine and dense forest. Here
was natures playground, all evil
dence of creation undisturbed by
man, here the birds, the squirrels
and covey of young quails all in
their native element where human
foot has seldom ever trod Here was
solitude. At such a time we begin
to listen to our souls, and as
stood there came voice from the
groves, Gods first temples I un- ]
covered my head and uttered a
prayer of thankfulness. Thy hand
has reared these venerable columns,
1