Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1915 — Dr. Marden’s Uplift Talks [ARTICLE]

Dr. Marden’s Uplift Talks

By ORISON SWETT MARDEN.

Copyright kg McClure Newspaper Syndicate THE ELEMENTS OF TRUE GREATNESS. A lawyer who recently died In New York city left Instructions In hi* will that one-half of his fortune of $300,000 should bo devoted to establishing and maintaining a “bread line” for the hungry of the city. Obsessed with the idea of perpetuating his name, he stipulated that it should appear in raised letters on (Bach and every loaf of bread distributed by his agents to the poor and needy who might apply for aid. It is said that this man had often expressed the opinion that the only immortality of which the individual can be certain is in the perpetuation of his name and acts through bequests in one form or another to posterity. Thus we can somewhat account tor his ambition to have his name so prominently associated with his good deed. While we would not belittle this man’s philanthropy, which will undoubtedly prove a blessing to many a poor unfortunate, yet we cannot but regret his methods of gaining “immortality” and contrast him with the two great men whose birth we celebrate this month —Washington and Lincoln. How undimmed is their renown after all these years, and yet without any self-laudation, or advertisement on their part. They gave themselves to their country and thus engraved their names on the hearts of their countrymen, and immortalized themselves for all time. Abraham Lincoln, one of the most colossal figures in all history, was the apostle of modesty and simplicity. An analysis of Lincoln’s character shows that his marvelous career was due more to the moral qualities which everyone can cultivate than to any particular mental brilliancy or genius. Lincoln illustrates in a remarkable degree the power of common qualities, everyday virtues, in the making of manhood. His great horse-sense, his tenacity of purpose, his force of character, his keen sense of humor, and his power of self-expression; these were the foundations upon which he reared his great life* structure. When we think of Lincoln we form a picture of a great, hearty, kindly, helpful, accommodating, sympathetic soul, more than of a great intellecUial genius. To this sort of a man the world builds its monuments. Pure genius without a heart which matches it; great brilliancy without the virtues which are common to humanity, or mere wealth without character does not live very long in a people’s regard. The world builds its monuments to those who have sacrificed self to the public good; it builds no monuments to selfishness or greed, however brilliant. All through life Lincoln was true to the best, the highest that was in him, and so he never was, never could be, false to himself or to any man. “1 am not bound to win,” he said, "but I am * bound to be true, I am bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right” A rich life is worth a thousand times more to the world than a rich bank account. Who would have thought of asking how much money Lincoln left? Yet, is not the whole world richer for his life and example? Lincoln’s great ambition was to make the most he possibly could of himself. Who cannot have such an ambition? Who cannot succeed in it?