The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1950-07-20
Triple-Threat Men

NOTIFICATIONS StHuldl anu PoCt Int
John Milton.
Triple Threat Men
yxyHAT liz football is called
w '"triple-threat man" is to be
found off the gridiron. sometimes,
in real life. Once in great while
there arises man who not only
could have done" more than one
thing well, but who because Of spe-
cial circumstances and opportunities
actually does many things well.
Such persons are rare, and
far above the average. Ordi-
nary men take such q long time
becoming experts in one line
that they simply don't have
time in their lives to be expert
at other things too. But there
are geniuses with many sides,
or perhaps men gifted with
many talents plus IN extraordi-
nary capacity for hard work.
In our times there Is Albert
Schweitzer. outstanding not only as
a scholar but as musician. doctor
and missionary. The President Of
Harvard at the present time Is
noted chemist as well as disting-
uished executive. Robert E. Lee
was a brilliant soldier who also. as
an educator. left his mark on his
native state to this day Leibnitz
was q diplomat and philosopher;
S.BF. Morse not only invented the
telegraph but was q painter OF UNI
usual ability; the man who thought
up the idea OF savings banks was q
minister Of the Gospel; King David
was poet. musician. general and
monarch.
Samuel the Versatile
CAMUEL. Judge Of Israel. was
~ another such man. Jack Of
all trades but master Of none" does
not describe him, for he was master
Of whatever he did. He has gone
down in history as prophet-what
in our times Is called a preacher;
but this was by no means all. He
served his generation In other ways
as we'll
He was the chief executive
OF the people, king without the
title. Though possessed Of die
tatorial powers, when during
wave Of unpOpularity he re-
signed, and dared his critics to
produce one single case Of dis
honesty or graft, none was
brought against him.
He was a circuit judge, going
from one city to another dispensing
justice. He acted as priest, indeed
as the high priest Of his people.
We know of one occasion when he
led his people in battle. and he was
as successful as il war had always
been his business. He was a king
maker. for God entrusted to him
twice the delicate mission Of select
ing Israers king.
Times and the Man
Two thoughts strike one who reads
; the story Of Samuel One is the
way his great and many sided pow.
ers were used for public service.
Put into modern terms. he could
have made fortune II he had
stuck to private practice" and
used his talents for himself. But at
no time and in no way did Samuel
work for Samuel. He worked for
God and his country. and he died
q poor but honored man.
One Of the greatest needs OF
the nation today Is men Of SAM
uel's calibre. triple-threat men.
We have plenty of small-calibre
bureaucrats. and we have plenty
OF large-calibre men who are quite
selfish. How few unselfish large
calibre men there arel The other
thought 10 that the times and the
man 60 together. A mans greatness
comes in large part from his oppor.
tunities.
John Milton helped make England
but England also helped make
him. Samuel helped make Israel,
but at some other stage in history,
he might have lived and died q
country priest.
Let no man think himself self.
made; not even q great man. With.
out the God who endows him with
his gifts. without the times that
call forth the gifts. even the most
gifted shrink to little or nothing
tcopyright By the International Coun
Gu 81 Heueieas Education on behalf o
90 Protestant dsnominations. Release
~ WNU Fsaturss.)