|
The rain may fall on the just and unjust alike,
but some seem to live on earth not alone in a rain but a deluge; some
deluged by so-called blessings and some by obstacles. The
deluge of blessings in the way of worldly riches and
prosperity is much harder to stand than that of adverse
circumstances. The deluge of blessings in the majority of
cases weakens and produces little to show for in manhood or
womanhood. Those born in a deluge of blessings, unless born
to the inheritance of a throne, and their name necessary to show
an unbroken line, are seldom known to the second generation while
virtually all of earth's luminaries were born in a deluge of
adverse environment and conditions. One is amazed in
considering their lives, how they survived and became such strong
characters. The sons of the rich, seldom, if ever, have
saved any nation or people. The deluge of blessings and
opportunities have engulfed them. The world could not exist
overnight on the product of all the hot houses on earth. Our
existence depends upon that which survives in God's pure air that withstands
the drought and deluge.
The hot house product --those born in marble
halls-- are like the hot hose plants. They do not live in
the atmosphere of sturdy, ennobling desire. Their lives are
artificial, not self-created. They wither when out of the
environment others have created for them. They need
gardeners.
The Saviors of the world have stood the deluge of
adversity and like the oak on the mountain tops, buffeted by the
winds and tornadoes, have sent their roots deep into mother earth
and become strong and sturdy, drawing nourishment seemingly from
the very rocks. They have developed such a radiant
atmosphere that it is as wecome to man as the shade of
trees. They, like Noah, have weathered the deluge and left
us blessings great in the wisdom expressed in the lives they have
lived.
"No pent up Utica contracts their power,"
God and achievement brought them their hour.
The deluge of opportunity usually leaves those
born in such surroundings noting to express. They have no
strength of mind to develop sturdy manhood, while those born in a
deluge of want and adversity make their own opportunities.
The emery of adversity has sharpened their faculties and enabled
them to withstand the deluge. Their world and their place in
it has been the product of the within, the product of a strong
determination which has been developed like the muscles of the
athlete until it is like sword steel.
So let all those born in a deluge of adversity
realize that while the path may be stony and the road long and
rough, there are opportunities ahead of them and a golden future
if they will remember that they are on that great highway that
practically all of earth's benefactors have trod and that each
seeming obstacle, if surmounted, has only strengthened their
atmosphere and brought the desired result nearer. It is from
such conditions that achievements have come, and that the
worthwhile men have in nearly all cases reached the splendor and
glory of an historic name by weathering the deluge of adversity in
the Ark of Hope with the hatches of doubt and despondency down
until the deluge has passed and they are resting safely on the
mountain top of fulfillment.
If a hot house product, leave the stifling atmosphere;
come out where you can be your own gardener and exist on your own
atmosphere.
To those born in a deluge of adversity, it is for
them to create, build and develop a name and place in the world,
while perhaps not so lasting as the granite hills, will yet be
engraved on the hearts of men and as the generations pass, lustre
will be added to their name and so journeying, break the mesmerism
of age, reach the golden heights of achievement the fruition of
their endeavors.
Understand that the fable of
three-score-years-and-ten is only a fable. To Live and Grow
Yong is one of the greatest achievements of life. Realize
that it is possible with the same vision as the victorious future
was discerned, to cause the mesmerism of age to be broken, and
those who have been victorious over the deluge of obstacles and
not been engulfed by adversity, can climb to any height.
To all born in a deluge of adversity comes the
possibility that they may break the mesmerism of years and remain
on earth to enjoy the fruition of their endeavors. They will
indeed be among earth's greatest benefactors, for to see that
three-scour-years-and-ten is only a fable, to be able to Live and
Grow Young, is the greatest achievement of them all.
|
