Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-03
A RECIPE FOR GREATNESS
BY H. Arlington Bruce

TN HE dawn Of the new year finds you
looking hopefully forward. You are
- resolved to make it, so far as in your
power lies, the most successful year of your
life. You are confident that you can achieve
much more than you have yet done, and you
promise yourself that this will be year of
exceptional achievement.
Let me offer the suggestion that it is the
more likely to be that if, in all you under
take you labor, not for dissatisfaction
merely, but with the fixed purpose to be as
genuinely useful as possible The measure of
a mans worth, and in the long run the chief
determinant of his happiness as well as his
fame, is his usefulness.
Phillips Brooks was not mistaken when, in
venturing to formulate recipe for great
ness, he laid down this principles:
"No man has come to true greatness who
has not felt in some degree that his life
belongs to his race, and that what God gives
him He gives him for mankind"
Far too many people strive for themselves
alone. Which, after ALL is not surprising,
since in the education and surroundings Of
all there are certain influences that tend to
overdevelop the self-regarding instincts.
But overdeve' opment of these is always a
calamity for the one in whom they are over
developed. It is a calamity even when, 1mpell-
ed by the overdeveloped instincts and aid
ed by energy and shrewdness, that one con-
trives to win for himself wealth and high
place.
For because the a1truistic instincts, the
race-regarding instincts-as basic In man s
being as are the self-regarding instincts
have not been properly developed. have in
deed been repressed, the winning OF wealth
and place brings no real contentment. There
is feeling rather of loneliness and discon-
tent, the penalty unfailingly imposed on all
who unduly exalt self in their scheme of
existence.
Other penalties, too, may be imposed.
Those who fail to listen to the inner call
for service to the race may, and often do,
suffer strange breakdowns in health. The
nervous troubles so common in our age are
again and again traceable to prolonged re-
fusal to give heed to the instincts which die
tate "Think less of the good of self, more
of the good of Others
Not all nervous troubles, OF course, are
thus caused But frequently no other cause
need be sought. AS is proved b. the fact that
when, under the guidance Of some wise
physician or other counsellor, effort for
others becomes the dominant life motive,
there Is a prompt abating Of the nervous
ills.
Not only this but happiness that has so
long been withheld is now accorded Friend
ships multiply And public esteem is given
from the heart, whereas before, if given at
all. it was given only in lip homage.
So that Phillips Brooks's formula is, In
truth, much more than a recipe for great
ness. 1t sums up law by which men must
live if they would gain lifes richest boons.
Bethink yourself of this, if need be, in
mapping out your course or actlon TOT the
coming year. You will find that the closer
Won comply with this law the nearer you will
come to attainment Of your hearts desires.
That has been human experience generation
| after generation.
(Copyright, 1922, by The Associated News
papers.)