"It is all very well," said Charles J. Fox, "to tell me that a young man has distinguished himself by a brilliant first speech. He may go on satisfied with his first triumph; but show me a young man who has not succeeded at first, and has then gone on, and I will back that man to do better than those who succeeded at the first trial." Cobden broke down completely the first time he appeared on a platform in Manchester, and the chairman apologized for him; but he did not give up speaking until every poor man in England had a larger, better, and cheaper loaf. Young Disraeli sprung from a hated and persecuted race, pushed his way up through the middle classes and upper classes, until he stood self-poised upon the topmost round of political and social power. At first he was scoffed at, ridiculed, rebuffed, hissed from the House of Commons; he simply said, "The time will come when you will hear me." The time did come, and he swayed the sceptre of England for a quarter of a century.
How massive was the incalculable reserve power of Lincoln as a youth; or of President Garfield, wood-chopper, bell-ringer, and sweeper-general in college!
PERSISTENT PURPOSE.
We hear a great deal of talk about genius, talent, luck, chance, cleverness, and fine manners playing a large part in one's success. Leaving out luck and chance, all these elements are important factors. Yet the possession of any or all of them, unaccompanied by a definite aim, a determined purpose, will not insure success. Men drift into business. They drift into society. They drift into politics. They drift into what they fondly and but vainly imagine is religion. If winds and tides are favorable, all is well; if not, all is wrong. Stalker says: "Most men merely drift through life, and the work they do is determined by a hundred different circumstances; they might as well be doing anything else, or they would prefer to be doing nothing at all." Yet whatever else may have been lacking in the giants of the race, the men who have been conspicuously successful have all had one characteristic in common--doggedness and persistence of purpose.
It does not matter how clever a youth may be, whether he leads his class in college or outshines all the other boys in his community, he will never succeed if he lacks this essential of determined persistence. Many men who might have made brilliant musicians, artists, teachers, lawyers, able physicians or surgeons, in spite of predictions to the contrary, have fallen short of success because deficient in this quality.
Persistency of purpose is a power. It creates confidence in others. Everybody believes in the determined man. When he undertakes anything his battle is half won, because not only he himself, but every one who knows him, believes that he will accomplish whatever he sets out to do. People know that it is useless to oppose a man who uses his stumbling-blocks as stepping-stones; who is not afraid of defeat; who never, in spite of calumny or criticism, shrinks from his task; who never shirks responsibility; who always keeps his compass pointed to the north star of his purpose, no matter what storms may rage about him.
The persistent man never stops to consider whether he is succeeding or not. The only question with him is how to push ahead, to get a little farther along, a little nearer his goal. Whether it lead over mountains, rivers, or morasses, he must reach it. Every other consideration is sacrificed to this one dominant purpose.
The success of a dull or average youth and the failure of a brilliant one is a constant surprise in American history. But if the different cases are closely analyzed we shall find that the explanation lies in the staying power of the seemingly dull boy, the ability to stand firm as a rock under all circumstances, to allow nothing to divert him from his purpose.
THREE NECESSARY THINGS.
"Three things are necessary," said Charles Sumner, "first, backbone; second, backbone; third, backbone."
A good chance alone is nothing. Education is nothing without strong and vigorous resolution and stamina to make one accomplish something in the world. An encouraging start is nothing without backbone. A man who cannot stand erect, who wabbles first one way and then the other, who has no opinion of his own, or courage to think his own thought, is of very little use in this world. It is grit, it is perseverance, it is moral stamina and courage that govern the world.
At the trial of the seven bishops of the Church of England for refusing to aid the king to overthrow the Protestant faith, it was necessary to watch the officers at the doors, lest they send food to some juryman, and aid him to starve the others into an agreement. Nothing was allowed to be sent in but water for the jurymen to wash in, and they were so thirsty they drank it up. At first nine were for acquitting, and three for convicting. Two of the minority soon gave way; the third, Arnold, was obstinate. He declined to argue. Austin said to him, "Look at me. I am the largest and the strongest of the twelve; and before I will find such a petition as this libel, here will I stay till I am no bigger than a tobacco pipe." Arnold yielded at six in the morning.
SUCCESS AGAINST ODDS.
Yes, to this thought I hold with firm persistence;The last result of wisdom stamps it true:He only earns his freedom and existenceWho daily conquers them anew.Goethe.
Yes, to this thought I hold with firm persistence;The last result of wisdom stamps it true:He only earns his freedom and existenceWho daily conquers them anew.
Goethe.
"It is interesting to notice how some minds seem almost to create themselves," says Irving, "springing up under every disadvantage, and working their solitary but irresistible way through a thousand obstacles." Opposing circumstances create strength. Opposition gives us greater power of resistance. To overcome one barrier gives us greater ability to overcome the next. History is full of examples of men and women who have redeemed themselves from disgrace, poverty, and misfortune, by the firm resolution of an iron will.
Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered, and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds. Not the distance we have run, but the obstacles we have overcome, the disadvantages under which we have made the race, will decide the prizes.
"It is defeat," says Henry Ward Beecher, "that turns bone to flint, and gristle to muscle, and makes men invincible, and formed those heroic natures that are now in ascendency in the world. Do not, then, be afraid of defeat. You are never so near to victory as when defeated in a good cause."
Governor Seymour of New York, a man of great force and character, said, in reviewing his life: "If I were to wipe out twenty acts, what should they be? Should it be my business mistakes, my foolish acts (for I suppose all do foolish acts occasionally), my grievances? No; for, after all, these are the very things by which I have profited. So I finally concluded I should expunge, instead of my mistakes, my triumphs. I could not afford to dismiss the tonic of mortification, the refinement of sorrow; I needed them every one."
"Every condition, be it what it may," says Channing, "has hardships, hazards, pains. We try to escape them; we pine for a sheltered lot, for a smooth path, for cheering friends, and unbroken success. But Providence ordains storms, disasters, hostilities, sufferings; and the great question whether we shall live to any purpose or not, whether we shall grow strong in mind and heart, or be weak and pitiable, depends on nothing so much as on our use of the adverse circumstances. Outward evils are designed to school our passions, and to rouse our faculties and virtues into intenser action. Sometimes they seem to create new powers. Difficulty is the element, and resistance the true work of man. Self-culture never goes on so fast as when embarrassed circumstances, the opposition of men or the elements, unexpected changes of the times, or other forms of suffering, instead of disheartening, throw us on our inward resources, turn us for strength to God, clear up to us the great purpose of life, and inspire calm resolution. No greatness or goodness is worth much, unless tried in these fires."
BENJAMIN DISRAELIBENJAMIN DISRAELI(Earl of Beaconsfield),English Statesman and Novelist.b. London, 1804; d. London, 1881.
Better to stem with heart and handThe roaring tide of life, than lie,Unmindful, on its flowery strand,Of God's occasions drifting by!Better with naked nerve to bearThe needles of this goading air,Than in the lap of sensual ease foregoThe godlike power to do, the godlike aim to know.Whittier.
Better to stem with heart and handThe roaring tide of life, than lie,Unmindful, on its flowery strand,Of God's occasions drifting by!Better with naked nerve to bearThe needles of this goading air,Than in the lap of sensual ease foregoThe godlike power to do, the godlike aim to know.Whittier.
Better to stem with heart and handThe roaring tide of life, than lie,Unmindful, on its flowery strand,Of God's occasions drifting by!Better with naked nerve to bearThe needles of this goading air,Than in the lap of sensual ease foregoThe godlike power to do, the godlike aim to know.Whittier.
Better to stem with heart and handThe roaring tide of life, than lie,Unmindful, on its flowery strand,Of God's occasions drifting by!Better with naked nerve to bearThe needles of this goading air,Than in the lap of sensual ease foregoThe godlike power to do, the godlike aim to know.
Whittier.
CHAPTER VII.
THE DEGREE OF "O.O."
When Moody first visited Ireland he was introduced by a friend to an Irish merchant who asked at once:
"Is he an O.O.?"
"Out and Out"--that was what "O.O." stood for.
"Out and Out" for God--that was what this merchant meant. He indeed is but a wooden man, and a poor stick at that, who is decided in everything else, but who never knows "where he is at" in all moral relations, being religiously nowhere.
The early books of the Hebrews have much to say about "The Valley of Decision" and the development of "Out and Out" moral character.
Wofully lacking in a well-balanced will power is the man who stands side by side with moral evil personified, in hands with it, to serve it willingly as a tool and servant.
Morally made in God's image, what is more sane, more wholesome, more fitting, for a man than his rising up promptly, decidedly, to make the Divine Will his own will in all moral action, to take it as the supreme guide to go by? It is the glory of the human will to coincide with the Divine Will. Doing this, a man's Iron Will, instead of being a malignant selfish power, will be useful in uplifting mankind.
God has spoken, or he has not spoken. If he has spoken, the wise will hear.
We search the world for truth; we cullThe good, the pure, the beautiful,From graven stone and written scroll,From all the flower-fields of the soul:And, weary seekers of the best,We come back laden from our quest,To find that all the sages saidIs in the BOOK our mother read.Whittier.O earth that blooms and birds that sing,O stars that shine when all is dark!In type and symbol thou dost bringThe Life Divine, and bid us hark,That we may catch the chant sublime,And, rising, pass the bounds of time;So shall we win the goal divine,Our immortality.Carrol Norton.
We search the world for truth; we cullThe good, the pure, the beautiful,From graven stone and written scroll,From all the flower-fields of the soul:And, weary seekers of the best,We come back laden from our quest,To find that all the sages saidIs in the BOOK our mother read.Whittier.O earth that blooms and birds that sing,O stars that shine when all is dark!In type and symbol thou dost bringThe Life Divine, and bid us hark,That we may catch the chant sublime,And, rising, pass the bounds of time;So shall we win the goal divine,Our immortality.Carrol Norton.
We search the world for truth; we cullThe good, the pure, the beautiful,From graven stone and written scroll,From all the flower-fields of the soul:And, weary seekers of the best,We come back laden from our quest,To find that all the sages saidIs in the BOOK our mother read.Whittier.O earth that blooms and birds that sing,O stars that shine when all is dark!In type and symbol thou dost bringThe Life Divine, and bid us hark,That we may catch the chant sublime,And, rising, pass the bounds of time;So shall we win the goal divine,Our immortality.Carrol Norton.
We search the world for truth; we cullThe good, the pure, the beautiful,From graven stone and written scroll,From all the flower-fields of the soul:And, weary seekers of the best,We come back laden from our quest,To find that all the sages saidIs in the BOOK our mother read.
Whittier.
O earth that blooms and birds that sing,O stars that shine when all is dark!In type and symbol thou dost bringThe Life Divine, and bid us hark,That we may catch the chant sublime,And, rising, pass the bounds of time;So shall we win the goal divine,Our immortality.
Carrol Norton.
THE MARDEN
INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS
Be Good to YourselfEvery Man a KingExceptional EmployeeGetting OnHe Can Who Thinks He CanHow to Get What You WantJoys of LivingKeeping FitLove's WayMaking Life a MasterpieceMiracle of Right ThoughtOptimistic LifePeace, Power, and PlentyProgressive Business ManPushing to the FrontRising in the WorldSecret of AchievementSelf-InvestmentSelling ThingsTraining for EfficiencyVictorious AttitudeWoman and the HomeYoung Man Entering Business
SUCCESS BOOKLETSAn Iron WillGood MannersEconomyAmbitionDo it to a FinishOpportunityCheerfulnessCharacterThriftPower of PersonalitySPECIAL BOOKS AND BOOKLETSHints for Young WritersSuccess NuggetsI Had a FriendWhy Grow Old?Not the Salary but the OpportunitySend for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
OPINIONS OFThe Exceptional EmployeeUplifting to Humanity"I assure you that the present and future generations must look uponsuch a work as most uplifting to humanity."CHARLES FRANCIS,Charles Francis Press, New York City.Fresh Efforts after Reading"No one will fail to put forth fresh and better directed efforts to workto the front after reading the book."Good Health.The Ladder of Success"The author writes with a purpose in view; that purpose is found on thetopmost rungs of the ladder of success. In order to find the purpose thereader must ascend this ladder. The rest is easy."Chamber of Commerce Bulletin(Portland, Ore.).A Wise Investment"Any one who employs labor where it requires character and intelligencewould make a wise investment by presenting his employees a copy of thisbook. It has been some time since I have read a more wholesome,inspiring, and fascinating volume."J.J. COLE, inChristian Standard.Brimful of Anecdote and Illustration"The book is not all theory and principle. It is brimful of the anecdoteand illustration from actual business life which gives vigor andacceptance to the writer's ideas."Christian Advocate.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
Opinions and Reviews of Dr. Marden'sThe Secret of AchievementExasperating"'The Secret of Achievement' is one of those exasperating books whichyou feel you ought to present to your young friends, yet find yourselfunwilling to part with." WILLIAM B. WARREN,Former President Boston University.Art of Putting Things"I have studied Dr. Marden's books with deep interest. He has the art ofputting things; of planting in the mind convictions that will live. Iknow of no works that contain equal inspiration for life."HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH.A Great Service"I thoroughly feel that you are rendering a great service to young menand women in America and throughout the world."REV. R.S. McARTHUR, D.D.,New York City.The Difference"'Pushing to the Front' is a great book and 'Rising in the World' is amagnificent book, but 'The Secret of Achievement' is a superb book."Success against Odds"This volume contains a series of stimulating anecdotes and adviceshowing how energy, force of well-directed will, application, loftypurpose, and noble ideals serve to win success even against the greatestodds. Many a young man will draw inspiration from it which will aid himin making his life work a success."School Journal.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
PRESS REVIEWS OFThe Young Man Entering Business"A readable volumeon a substantial topic, which discusses actual questions. The counsel ofan experienced person."Pittsburgh Post.Abounds in Specific Advice"We can easily conceive that a young man who gets this book into hishands may, in after life, date his success from reading it. It is sound,wholesome, stimulating. The treatment is concrete. It abounds inspecific advice and telling illustration."Southern Observer.Stimulates and Encourages"Packed as it is with sensible, practical counsels, this volume can becordially recommended to stimulate and encourage young men starting outin business life."Brooklyn Times.A Necessity to Earnest Young Men"There is such a thing as the science of success. Dr. Marden has made astudy of it. He writes in simple, attractive style. He deals with facts.The book should be in the hands of every earnest young man."Christian Advocate.Entertaining as Well as Helpful"So interwoven with personal incident and illustration that it is anentertaining as well as a helpful book."Christian Observer.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
Opinions ofThe Miracle of Right ThoughtDr. Sheldon Leavitt says:"I wish to state that I am unusually well pleased with Dr. Marden's'Miracle of Right Thought.' It is the best work of the author."Ralph Waldo Trine says:"This is one of those inspiring, reasonable and valuable books that arebringing new life and new power to so many thousands all over ourcountry and all over the world to-day.""You have formulated a philosophywhich must sooner or later be universally accepted. Your book shows howthe right mental attitude helps one in the realization of every laudableambition, and the value of cultivating a bright, self-reliant habit ofthought. I congratulate you on it."G.H. SANDISON,Editor, The Christian Herald."It is marked by sanctified common sense;it is in line with the advance thought of to-day, and yet it is sosimple in statement that unlettered men and untrained youths can masterits best thoughts and translate them into their daily lives."REV. R.S. MacARTHUR, D.D.,New York City.REV. F.E. Clark, President United Societyof Christian Endeavor, says:"I regard 'The Miracle of Right Thought' as one of Dr. Marden's verybest books, and that is saying a great deal. He has struck the modernnote of the power of mind over bodily conditions in a fresh and mostinteresting way, while he has not fallen into the mistake of some NewThought writers of eliminating the personal God from the universe. Noone can read this book sympathetically, I believe, without being happierand better."Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
Selling ThingsBy ORISON SWETT MARDENA Book For Salesmen"Deals with the training of salesmen and the necessary attributes tomake them successful. All phases of the subject are considered: clothes,presence, ability to talk, persuasive powers, tact, helping and gettingthe customer to buy."Bookseller.Will be Welcome"A book that will be gladly welcomed by sales managers and salesmen inevery field."Philadelphia Public Ledger.Helps to Prosperity"One of the best things that you have written, and ought to be in thehands of every man who would call himself a salesman. There are manypoints therein that will certainly help him to prosperity."Samuel Brill.A Masterful Work"A masterful work and is filled from cover to cover with practicalusable information for young men and women. I consider this book one ofthe best things you have done, and that is saying a great deal when theexcellence of your previous works is taken into consideration."Hudson Maxim.A Powerful Factor"In our opinion, if 'selling' would be given more thought by such worldfamous writers as you, it would be a powerful factor in the completerevolution of business, and eliminate to a great extent the waste oftime, money and human life that is so recklessly thrown away under thepresent ignorance of true salesmanship."N.A. Corking, Sales Mgr., Ford Motor Company.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
OPINIONS OFRising in the World"A storehouse of incentive,a treasury of precious sayings; a granary of seed-thoughts capable,under proper cultivation, of a fine character harvest."--EDWARD A. HORTON."A stimulating bookwhich is pitched at a high note and rings true."--EDWIN M. BACON."Has all the excellences of styleand matter that gave to 'Pushing to the Front' its signal success. Dr.Marden's power of pithy statement and pertinent illustration seemsinexhaustible."--W.F. WARREN,Former President of Boston University.Touches the Springs of Life"Dr. Marden has touched the springs of life and set forth withmarvellous and convincing power the results obtained by those inspiredby high resolves, lofty aspirations, and pure motives. No one can risefrom reading this book without cleaner desires, firmer resolutions, andsublime ambition."--MYRON T. PRITCHARD,Master of Everett School, Boston.Its Immortal Possibilities"Has the same iron in the blood, the same vigorous constitution, thesame sanguine temperament, the same immortal possibilities as 'Pushingto the Front.'"--THOMAS W. BICKNELL,Ex-U.S. Commissioner of Education.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
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The Victorious AttitudeBy ORISON SWETT MARDENA Soul Doctor"This book should be read by all discouraged people. It is a tonic--anda moral bracer of the first order. Most of us need to have ourself-confidence stimulated, and Dr. Marden stimulates it. He is a soul doctor."Richmond Times Dispatch.Buoyant and Breezy"Full of fresh ideas couched in straightforward language. Buoyant,breezy and highly stimulating.San Francisco Bulletin.A Wallet of Truth"There is a crammed wallet of truth in your book. May it go forth toinspire men with the fine courage of life."Edwin Markham.Excellent Advice"The homely truths and excellent bits of advice contained is Dr.Marden's book will make instructive reading. It is written in forcibleand easily understandable style."Buffalo Commercial.Cannot Fail to Help"Clear, direct and vigorous in expression, and so uplifting andwholesome in subject matter, that it cannot fail to be of help to manypeople who are in need of just such advice."Des Moines Register.Nothing More Valuable"One of the very best books that you ever produced. The book is like amedicine to me. I commended it to our students put it in our library andit has been in great demand. I know of nothing finer or more valuablefor young people who are struggling for an education."Rev. O.S. Krisbel, D.D.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
Letters to Dr. Marden concerningHe Can Who Thinks He CanWill Do Amazing Good"I believe 'He Can Who Thinks He Can,' comprising some of youreditorials, which appear akin to divine inspiration in words of cheer,hope, courage and success, will do amazing good."JAMES PETER,Independence, Kas.Greatest Things Ever Written"Your editorials on the subjects of self-confidence and self-help arethe greatest things ever written along that line."H.L. DUNLAP,Waynesburg, Pa.Gripping Power"Presents the truth in a remarkably clear and forcible manner, with agripping power back of the writing. It is beautiful and inspiring."C.W. SMELSER,Coopertown, Okla.Beginning of My Success"Your editorials have helped me mere than any other reading. Thebeginning of my success was when I commenced to practise your teachings."BRUCE HARTMAN,Honolulu, T.H.Wishes to Reprint It"I have been very much impressed by the chapter on 'New Thought, NewLife.' I would like to send a copy of it to two thousand of mycustomers, giving due credit of course."John D. MORRIS,Philadelphia, Pa.Full of Light and Joy"I have studied the subject of New Thought for ten years, but have neverseen anything so comprehensive, so full of light and joy, as yourtreatment of it. When I think of the good it will do, and the thousandsit will reach, my heart rejoices."LOUISE MARKSCHEFFEL,Toledo, O.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO., NEW YORK
OPINIONS OFThe Joys of LivingIn Every Sense Worth While"A ringing call for a joyful life is just what this old world needs tohear and to heed. A saner, wiser, more helpful book than this we haverarely read.... In every sense well worth the while."The Examiner.Wholesome Reading"The book makes wholesome reading. One lays it down with a resolve tofind more happiness in his life and a determination to live more in the present."Springfield Republican.One of the Author's Best"The author has been doing uniformly good work, work that has elicitedwarmest commendations from leading men of the country. 'The Joys ofLiving' is one of Dr. Marden's best books."Chicago Standard.More Such Teachers Wanted"Give us more such teachers and writers, more such heralds of the newand ever present kingdom of Good, of joy, of Opulence! Just read thisbook yourself and you will change your whole mental attitude."The Truth-Seeker.A Book for the Nerve-worn"The book is one that our rushing American world needs. If you feelcompassion for any nerve-worn, unhappy man or woman, tell them of thismessage. Better still, send the book to some one who needs it."Portland Oregonian.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY
Press Reviews of Dr. Marden'sBe Good to Yourself"The author is a wonder,--one of the very best preachers, through the pen, of our time."Zion's Herald."Just such a discussion of personalityas we all need. The titles of the chapters are appetizing and the adviceand lessons taught are good. It will help many a reader to understand himself better."The Advance."The kind counsel of a new bookby Orison Swett Marden, who says there are many people who are good toothers but not to themselves This is a fine volume from every point of view."The Religious Telescope."Of a thoroughly inspirational character,these essays are calculated to awaken and sustain the right sort ofambition and evolve a manly type of character. They are surcharged withfaith, optimism, and common sense."The Boston Herald."Dr. Marden's friends,who are to be found in all quarters of the globe, wait eagerly for suchadvice as this, on how to be happy, hearty, and healthy."Seattle Post Intelligencer.Send for Publishers' Special Circular of these Great BooksTHOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY