The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1916-07-27
:. LIBRARY BRIEFS -.
PERSEVERANCE
By MIR. c. r. S.


PERSEVERANCE
Ca NOTICE.-In last weeks issue of The Mirror the
contributor of this column, under the title 'READING,
inserted paragraph quoted verbatim from Colerdge with
out giving credit therefor. My attention being directed to
same, herewith acknowledge my error.-C R. S.
Continual dropping the stone" So
persevering labor gains our objects Perseverance
is the virtue wanted, lion-heared purpose Of vic
tory 1t is this that builds, constructs, accomplish
es whatever is great. good and valuable.
Perseverance built the pyramids on Egypt's
plains, erected the gorgeous temple at Jerusalem,
reared the seven-hilled city, scaled the stormy,
cloud-cappe Alps, opened highway thru the
watery wilderness of the Atlantic, leveled the for
ests of the new world, and reared in its stead COM
munity of states and nations 1t has put In motion
millions of spindles, harnessed thousand iron
steeds to as many freight cars, and set them flying
from town to town and nation to nation; tunneled
thru mountains of granite, and annhilated space
with the ghtning's speed 1t has whitened the
waters of the world with the sails of hundred
tons, navigated every and explored every land
1t has reduced Nature in her thousand forms to as
many sciences taught her laws prophesied her flu
ture movements, measured her untrodden Spaces
their distances, dimensions, and velocities.
But greater still are the works of perseverance
in the world of mind. What are the productions of
science and art, compared with the splendid achieve
lnents won in the human soul? What is
ment of constructive genius, compared with the lv
ing domes of thot, the sparkling temples of virtue,
and the rich glory sanctuaries of religion,
which perseverance has wrot out and reared in the
souls of the good? What the toil-sweated pro-
auctions of wealth piled in vast profusion around
Girard or Rothschid, when weighed against the
stores of wisdom, the treasures of knowledge, and
the strength, beauty and glory with which the vic
torius virtue has enriched and adorned great null
titude of minds, during the march of hundred gen.
erations? How little can we tell, how little know,
the brain-sweat, the heart-labor, the conscience
struggles which it cost to make Newton, How
ard, or Claiming; how many days of toll, how
many nights of WEAKNESS, how many months and
years of vigilant powerful effort, spent to per-
feet in them what the world had bowed to in rever
ence? Why their names watchwords of power
set high in the temples of fame? Why does child
hood lisp them in reverence, and age feel thrill
of pleasure when they are mentioned? They are the
sons of perseverance-of unremittng industry and
toll
Talent is desirable, but perseverance is more so.
1t will make mental powers, or, at least, it will
strengthen those already made Yes. it will make
mental power. The most successful and available
mental power is that made by the hand of cultiva-
ton.
1t will also make friends. Who will not be-
friend the persevering, energetic, fearless man?
Who is not a friend to him who is a friend to him.
self? He who perseveres in hardships and discour-
agements, will always find ready and generous
friends in every time of need Honest industry
will procure friends in any community and part of
the civilized world Go to the men of business. of
influence of worth, and ask them whoshal have their
confidence and support: they will tell you, the men
who falter not by the wayside, who toll in their
calngs against every barrier, whose eye is bent up
ward and whose motto is Excelsior"
If you would win friends, be steady and true to
yourself be the unfailing friend of your own pur-
poses, stand by your character and others will
come to your aid. Be true to your and your
self Fail not nor doubt of the result victory will
be yours, friends will come, thousand arms of
strength will be barred to sustain you.
CONTINUED Next Week)