Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-05

WHAT AM l HERE FoR2

Has any thoughtful person escaped
the mood in which such a question as
that above is asked? Why on earth
was ever put on earth? one exciain1s
to himself, If not to others. OF course,
the SNUG and consciously superior
people make no such inquiries. but
the humble and striving people do,
and they. thank God, are in the ma
jority.
There is a dull sameness about hu-
man careers that becomes, at times. a
bit nerve tracking. Day succeeds
day, and we seem no farther advanced
along the pathway of our lives. To-
day we are "a hours older than yes
terday, and that is all. AS Mark
Twain once observed, we do not seem
to be gaining any on the scenery.
The most tiresome hours at sea are
those when our sloop is in the dol
drums, with sails hanging limp and
getting us nowhere. 1t is then that
one questions whether it is worth
while to cruise at all. How many
prosaic lives are lived similarly, in
the doldrumsi The waking hours of
thousands are spent in earning wage
just big enough to satisfy household
needs Each Saturday night the books
just about balance, with no surplus of
time, strength, or money left over.
Nor is the experience confined to the
humblest workers. This is a dogs
life" said a. man to his companion,
as they walked from work. His
occupation was one OF considerable
importance and emolument, but still
kept him, year after year in the
straightest of straight jackets.
1t is not much to be wondered at
that there rests upon many OF the
worlds workers dull mood of weari-
ness. From early morn till set of sun
they perform the toll OF the day, tum-
Hing into had af merely get
strength to do the same things over
again tomorrow. 1t is said that in
sanity reaches a high percentage
among farmers wives. One can easily
believe it, but I imagine that many
besides jewellers in rural parts come to
regard life as being what the ancient
eynic called 1t: "One demned, long
| horrid grind"
We easily find place in the scheme
of things for William the Conquerer
| ington. The towering greatness Of the
few requires no apology. But it is not
always so easy to find an excuse fol
the plain John Smith, nor for his sis
| ter Mary. 1t is not easy, that Is, til
one attains the clear moral vision &c
| see that any spinner in a cotton mil
who does his work with steady faith
| fulness Is on a par with the genius
| whose deeds are trumpeted to the ende
| of the earth.
Each human life has its own pecu.
| liar gift for the world, and it is one
that no other life can make. There
are no duplicates in nature, and nont
in human nature. That poem o.
Emerson Is in point In which tht
squirrel Is made to say to the noun
tain: IF I cannot carry forests OF
my back, neither can you crack
nut" 1t is a parable of the wides
application.
Let none Of US consent to be brow
beaten by greatness. This world Il
not delivered into the hands OF thu
brilliant. The possibility OF immense
ly valuable service Is open to thu
humblest. There Is a place for thu
average man.
No one can live your life for you
The Almighty seeks to express II
Your personality what He expresses II
no other. Have a care lest the divine
intention in your case be thwartet
either by your cowardice OF your un'
belief.
1 THE FARSON