Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-07

ciared, concerning a national reli
sious organization with which ht
was connected, Frankly, l don't
know what is going to happen. W.
are headed for the rocks. Blank
naming the executive head of the or,
sanlzation-"simply cannot or VIII
not distribute responsibility. lie
tries to do everything himself, and,
inevitably, things do. not get done,
Dig things, essential things, the
prime work for which we stand re-
sponsioie. He is q good man ana
great man, but he is headed toward
a. colossal failure unless he learns TO
snare his tasks with others, trusting
them as fully as they trust him."
So we see Moses has plenty of
modern company in his big blunder
or failing to consult and cooperate
with others. and of trying to do
everything himself. There is many
pastor and Sunday school superin-
tendent who comes within the scope
or Jethro's indictment. Real sue
cess, it has been said, consists in
making ones self unnecessary
Moses, though the center of all in
terest and expectancy, was on the
highroad to failure.
The Use of theCritics
II writer's and speakers and public
men were required to be wholly can
did, they would confess that they
owe more than they can tell to the
frank, interested, helpful criticisms
of their families and friends. Pity
the man who has no critics or coun-
sellors, especially in his own home
circle. Most men have their wives
to thank for the corrective and stim-
uiating candor of spoken opinions.
The world little knows what it owes
to those unknown Jethros, with
their restraining and inspiring infiu-
ence.
had friend" was one mans
explanation of his success. The OBJ
scure helpers of the eminent, faith
ful and fearless in criticism and en-
couragement, able to see both sides,
loving their friends too sincerely to
become f1atterers, and open-eyed to
their highest possibilities, have ever
been among the assets of progress,
whose place heaven alone can re-
veal.
Moses might have got huffy over
his father-in-law's outspoken ad-
vice. He might have reminded him
that, after all, he was only desert
Shepherd, whereas Moses was a pal
ace-trained statesman. That is how
a petty spirit would have replied to
the counsel that he organize his
work better. Moses, however, was
big. He knew the value of the fresh
view. Jethro had clear vision, used
to seeing straight and far, and able
to distinguish between a mirage and
a landscape. The leader of Israel
was impatient with petty criticism,
but grateful for helpful suggestion.
fFin dc fn1l hot II hA.
my enemies tell me what ought
to be-"
Big Talents For Little Tasks
Somebody has said that the true
genius of success is the ability not
to waste five dollar talents on a two
cent job. Moses was giving states
man qualities to village magistrates
tasks. 1t was as If the Supreme
Court were to try police cases. A
famous king is pilloried in history
because he was busy about watch
making when he should have been
ruling his realm.
True, everybody needs a measure
OF drudgery, especially in his ap-
prentice time. 1T is good for man
to bear the yoke in. his YOUTH" said
Solomon. We may we'll be sorry for
the person who has never learned
the discipline of exacting labor.
Moses had been through that mill.
For forty years he had toiled as a
shepherd; burned by the sun at mid
day, and chilled by the mountain
winds as he watched his flocks by
night. He had known hunger and
thirst and danger. Petty routine
had filled his days. Now, in place
of highest authority, he was ready
to endure the grind of laborious ac-
tivity again.
He was saved from that blunder
by the wise words of Jethro, who
bade him reserve his talents for
their highest use. AS good as a test
as any of the successful man is
whether he is employing his best
abilities in the largest way possible.
Quality work is really what the
world asks of us. To be high-grade
in achievement is nobler than to be
either high-priced or high-placed.
Life when lived to the full must be
expressed in terms of its largest
values.
This lesson from the long ago in
the notwithstanding land of Sinai
is really message upon what con-
stitutes success. 1t is summons to
the ever greater and growing and
daring task. 1t matter little what
the capacity to become. Moses took
an advance step when he needed the
sagacious counsel of Jethro.
The Best For the Highest
Every city dweller knows preach
ers who are busy and noisy as f1iv-
vers; who seem always within sight
and sound; who have all the hustle
and go of the commercial traveller;
whose ambition is to get there;
who adopt every latest notion, card 7
indexes and follow-up methods and
debating machines and telephones
and window signs and publicity de-
and who nevertheless,
are not worth hearing four Sundays
in succession. They have no time
for great books or for quiet hours
of devotion, alone and open-souled
to God. Meditation is an unknown
or lost art to them. They are too
busy to succeed in their first Office.
For the world Is in no such sore
straits for lack of efficient execu-
tives and energetic managers and
as it is for prophets, who
will interpret the Godward side of
men and the manward side of God.
Incisively, Jethro penetrated to
the core of Moses numbered situa-
ton when he counselled, BE thou
for the people to Godward." In
stead of settling petty disagreements
and answering trivial questions,
take UP your real work, the high and
holy office of priest and prophet.
Then, as now, the people needed
m ost leaders who were specialists on
the God-ward side. Power plants are
more important than mere machin-