The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-12-21
invitation and sleep in his room and
fill for little time the empty chair.
Set Self Against The Crowd

invitation and sleep in his room and
fill for little time the empty chair.
Set Self Against The Crowd
HE commenced early in life to set
himself against the crowd, for no man
rises to real prestige who follows it.
OF his own initiative, he joined the
church. For long time he taught the
Bible class of boys at Bethesda Mis-
sion. He did not smoke, nor swear,
nor drink. He was absolutely clean.
Yet, in his stern opposition to the
drift, he mingled tolerance. in just that
quality which contributed to real power
to be used in opposition, and for that
purpose alone. He organized system
atically rescue squads for weake- boys
at college who were wavering. before
strong but evil leadership. Against
the boy who sought to lead astray the
weaker he set his face like steel.
Like every born leader he had his
many warm friends, but if Rufus Fear
ing ever had bitter enemy L have yet
to hear of him. His kindness, sincerity
and good humor disarmed hatred.
never saw him angry. In twenty-one
years he never GAGE me just cause for
serious reproach.
He was absolutely natural in any
environment, great or humble. He was
extremely ambitious. He was ex-
tremely proud. Upon on occasion,
years ago, when l mistakenly re-
preached him, he patiently explained
my error and then peremptOrily de-
manded and received an apology from
me.
Il have noticed that one of the char
acteristics of the thoroughbred is the
refusal to accept or recognize a handi
cap, which he always regards as self
cohesion of inferiority. The man
who accepts a handicap is beaten be-
fore the race commences. In any mat
ter to which Rufus Fearing set. him
self seriously he saw no possible meas
ure of his full abilities or efforts ex-
cept in the leading contestant. He
recognized no victory in a second or
third prize.
1T was not altogether modesty which
kept him so silent about his marked
achievements, but because high av-
erage of proficiency, which left the
field far behind, only brought him into
closer self-comparison with the few
winners. The natural leader in life.
while he keeps his head, keeps his eyes
only on the runners in front and not
on the multitude behind. This is why
the truly great are so often humble.
His mother and l never knew until
we read it in the Year Book of Rufus
athletic successes at Lawrenceville or
that he was captain of the fencing
team at Princeton, or that he had this
or that distinction. He never talked
about his achievements in any line of
Of, Irr g. Al
son that he himself never regarded
then as important or worth while. But,
with almost reckless intrepidty, he
sought in his friendly conflicts con
tact with any exceptional individual he
means comparison he saw only the OPP
urement even though it might prove dis
appointing or defeat prove bitter.
Character His Career
But under these continuing and
often disappointing contests, moral,
physical and mental, there worked out,
under the memorable laws of humap
nature. splendid and complete young
Christian gentleman. And the lesson
of this complete life is that this can
be done by a young man without his
being prig, without his failing to be
a good fellow without his bending to
debasing environments.
My boy lived long enough to win
out Whatever the years would have
added would only be material. In a
mans character is his real career,
He died suddenly in the midst of
happiness. He died with his high ideals |
uncovered. lie died with all the noble
illusions of a high-minded youth undis-
turbed and undispelled. He died with
out having lost ambition, with his eyes
fixed on the high high mountain OF
life, where, beyond any question, had
he lived, he would have climbed.
But, dear young friends of my boy,
he already had climbed the high and
rough ways which lead up the steep
of character. He stood there
firmly at the top. Mistake not. 1t was
no easy victory. Material achievement
may be both; but no moral victory is
ever easy or ever accidental.
But yesterday strong and joyous in
the full might and swing of buoyant
youth, surrounded by his loving friends
the sun of his happiness high in the
sky, Rufus Fearing was mercifully
spared the sight of grim Death, whose
unseen hand was even then upon his
shoulder. But had this happy boy
turned and seen him reckoning him
away from the dear ones: from his