Doyourememberthatgreenthingsgrow？
"Isnotshethelimit？"theyoftspakeonetoanother。Shewas。Shemademanyblunders。Butitisnowrecalledthatshenevermadethesameblundertwice。Shelearnedthelessonwithonehelpingtothebumps。
Andshenever"gotdone。"Whenshehadfinishedherwork，theworkshehadbeenputat，shewoulddiscoversomethingelsethatoughttobedone，andshewouldgorightonworking，contrarytotherulesoftheunion！Withoutbeingtold，mindyou。Shehadthatrarefacultytheworldisbiddingfor——initiative。
Theothergirls"gotdone。"Whentheyhadfinishedtheworktheyhadbeenputat，theywouldwait——O，sopatientlytheywouldwait——tobetoldwhattodonext。
WithinthreemonthseveryothergirlinthatofficewasaskingquestionsofthelittleDutchgirl。Shehadlearnedmoreaboutbusinessinthreemonthsthantheothershadlearnedinallthetimetheyhadbeenthere。Nothingeverescapedher。Shehadbecomethemostcapablegirlintheoffice。
Thebarreldidtherest。Todaysheisgivingorderstoallofthem，forsheistheofficesuperintendent。
Theothergirlsfeelhurtaboutit。Theywilltellyouinconfidencethatitwastherankestfavoritismeverknown。"Therewasnothingfairaboutit。Jennieoughttohavebeenmadesuperintendent。Jenniehadbeenherefouryears。"
The"Unlucky"OneTheotherdayinapaper-millIwasstandingbesidealongmachinemakingshinysuper-calenderedpaper。Iaskedthemanworkingtheresomequestionsaboutthemachine，whichheansweredfairlywell。
ThenIaskedhimaboutamachineinthenextroom。Hesaid，"I
don’tknownothingaboutit，boss，Idon’tworkinthere。"
Iaskedhimaboutanotherprocess，andhereplied，"Idon’tknownothingaboutit，Ineverworkedinthere。"Iaskedhimaboutthepulpmill。Hereplied，"No，Idon’tknownothingaboutthat，neither。Idon’tworkinthere。"Andhedidnotbetraytheleastdesiretoknowanythingaboutanything。
"Howlonghaveyouworkedhere？"
"Abouttwelveyears。"
Goingoutofthebuilding，Iaskedtheforeman，"Doyouseethatmanoverthereatthesupercalenderedmachine？"pointingtothemanwhodidn’tknow。"Isheahumanbeing？"
Theforeman’sfaceclouded。"Ihatetotalktoyouaboutthatman。
Heisoneofthekindest-heartedmenweeverhadintheworks，butwe’vegottolethimgo。We’reafraidhe’llbreakthemachine。Heisn’tinterested，doesnotlearn，doesn’ttrytolearn。"
Sohehadbeguntorattle。Nobodycanstaywhereherattles。Itisgroworgo。
Life’sBarreltheLevelerSobookscouldbefilledwithjustsuchstoriesofhowpeoplehavegoneupanddown。Youmayhavenoticedtwobrothersstartwiththesamechance，andpresentlynoticethatoneisgoingupandtheotherisgoingdown。
Someofusbeginlifeonthetopbranches，rightinthesunshineofpopularfavor，andgetournamesintheblue-bookatthestart。
Someofusbegindownintheshadeonthebottombranches，andwedonotevengetinvited。Weoftenbecomediscouragedaswelookatthetop-branchers，andwesay，"O，ifIonlyhadhischance！IfI
wereonlyupthereImightamounttosomething。ButIamtoolowdown。"
Wecangrow。Everybodycangrow。
Andafterwhileweareallinthebarreloflife，shakenandbumpedabout。Theretherealpeopledonotoftenaskus，"Onwhatbranchofthattreedidyougrow？"Buttheyofteninquire，"Areyoubigenoughtofillthisplace？"
TheFatalRattle！
Nowlifeismainlyroutine。YouandIandeverybodymustgoondoingprettymuchthesamethingsoverandover。Everydayweappeartohaveaboutthesameroundofduties。
Butifweletlifebecomeroutine，weareshakingdown。Theveryroutineoflifemusteverydayflashanewattractiveness。Wemustbelearningnewthingsanddiscoveringnewjoysinourdailyroutineorwebecomeunhappy。Ifwegoondoingjustthesamethingsinthesamewaydayafterday，thinkingthesamethoughts，oureyesgluedtoprecedents——justturningroundandroundinourplacesandnotgrowingany，prettysoonwebecomemeremachines。Wewearsmaller。Thejoyandjuicegooutofourlives。Weshrivelandrattle。
Thesuccess，joyandgloryoflifeareinlearning，growing，goingforwardandupward。Thatistheonlywaytoholdourplace。
Thefarmermustbelearningnewthingsaboutfarmingtoholdhisplacethisprogressiveageasafarmer。Themerchantmustbegrowingintoagreater，wisermerchanttoholdhisplaceamonghiscompetitors。Theministermustbegettinglargervisionsoftheministryashegoesbackintothesameoldpulpittokeeponfillingit。Theteachermustbeseeingnewpossibilitiesinthesameoldschoolroom。Themothermustbegettingalargerhorizoninherhomemaking。
Weonlyliveaswegrowandlearn。Whenanybodystaysinthesameplaceyearafteryearandfillsit，hedoesnotrattle。
Unlesstheplaceisagrave！
IshiverasIseethepagesofschooladvertisementsinthejournalslabeled"FinishingSchools，"and"APlacetoFinishYourChild。"Iknowtheschoolsgenerallymeanallright，butIfearthestudentswillgettheideatheyarebeingfinished，whichfinishesthem。Weneverfinishwhilewelive。Aschoolfinishingisacommencement，notanend-ment。
Iamsorryfortheonewhosays，"Iknowallthereistoknowaboutthat。Youcan’ttellmeanythingaboutthat。"Heisgenerallyrattling。
Thegreaterandwisertheman，themoreanxiousheistobetold。
Iamsorryfortheonewhostrutsaroundsaying，"Iownthejob。
Theycan’tgetalongwithoutme。"ForIfeelthattheyaregettingreadytogetalongwithouthim。Thatnoiseyouhearisthedeath-rattleinhisthroat。
Bigbusinessmenkeeptheirearsopenforrattlesintheirmachinery。
Iamsorryfortheman，communityorinstitutionthatspendsmuchtimepointingbackwardwithprideandtalkingabout"inmyday！"
Foritismostlyrattle。Theliveone’s"myday"istodayandtomorrow。Thedeadone’sisyesterday。
WeMustGetReadytoGetWeyoungpeoplecomeupintolifewantinggreatplaces。Iwouldnotgivemuchforayoungperson（oranyotherperson）whodoesnotwantagreatplace。Iwouldnotgivemuchforanybodywhodoesnotlookforwardtogreaterandbetterthingstomorrow。
Weoftenthinkthewaytogetagreatplaceisjusttogoafteritandgetit。Ifwedonothavepullenough，getsomemorepull。Getsomemoretestimonials。
Wethinkifwecouldonlygetintoagreatplacewewouldbegreat。
Butunlesswehavegrownasgreatastheplacewewouldbeagreatjoke，forwewouldrattle。Andwhenwehavegrownasgreatastheplace，thatsizedplacewillgenerallycomeseekingus。
Wedonotbecomegreatbygettingintoagreatplace，anymorethanaboybecomesamanbygettingintohisfather’sboots。Heisingreatboots，butherattles。Hemustgrowgreaterfeetbeforehegetsgreaterboots。Buthemustgetthefeetbeforehegetstheboots。
Wemustgetreadyforthingsbeforewegetthem。
Alllifeispreparationforgreaterthings。
Moseswaseightyyearsgettingreadytodofortyyearswork。TheMasterwasthirtyyearsgettingreadytodothreeyearswork。Somanyofusexpecttogetreadyin"foureasylessonsbymail。"
Wecanbeapumpkininonesummer，withtheaccentonthe"punk。"
Wecanbeamushroominaday，withtheaccentonthe"mush。"Butwecannotbecomeanoakthatway。
Theworldisnotgreatlyimpressedbytestimonials。Themanwhohasthemosttestimonialsgenerallyneedsthemmosttokeephimfromrattling。Atestimonialsooftenbecomesacrutch。
Manyamanwritesatestimonialtogetridofsomebody。"Well，I
hopeitwilldohimsomegood。Anyhow，Ihavegottenhimoffmyhands。"IheardaChicagosuperintendentsaytohisforeman，"Givehimatestimonialandfirehim！"
Itisdangeroustooverboostpeople，forthehigheryouboostthemthefarthertheywillfall。
TheMenaceofthePress-NoticeNowtestimonialsandpress-noticesveryoftenserveusefulends。Inlyceumwork，inteaching，inverymanylines，theyareoftenusefultointroduceastranger。Aletterofintroductionisuseful。A
diploma，adegree，acertificate，alicense，arebutdifferentkindsoftestimonials。
Thedangeristhattheheroofthemmaygettoleaninguponthem。
Thentheybecomeamirrorforhisvanityinsteadofamonitorforhisvitality。
Mosttestimonialsandpress-noticesarefrankflatteries。Theymagnifythegoodpointsandsaylittleaspossibleaboutthebadones。IlookbackovermylyceumlifeandseethatIhinderedmyprogressbyreadingmypress-noticesinsteadoflisteningtotheverdictofmyaudiences。Iavoidedfrankcriticism。Itwouldhurtme。WheneverIheardanadversecriticism，Iwouldgoandreadafewpress-notices。"There，Iamallright，forthisclippingsaysIamthegreatestever，andshouldhereturn，nohallwouldbeabletocontainthecrowd。"
Andmyvanitybumpwouldagainrise。
Alas！HowoftenIhavelearnedthatwhenIdidreturnthehallthatwasfilledbeforewasentirelytoobigfortheaudience！TheeditorsofAmerica——Godblessthem！Theyarealwaystryingtoboostahomeenterprise——notforthesakeoftheimportedattractionbutforthesakeofthehomefolkswhoimportit。
Wemustreadpeople，notpress-notices。
Whenyougettotheplacewhereyoucanstandasideand"seeyourselfgoby"——whenyoucankeepstillandseeeveryfibreofyouandyourworkmercilesslydissected，shakehandswithyourselfandrejoice，forthekingdomofsuccessisyours。
TheArtificialUpliftTherearesomanyloving，sincere，foolish，cruelupliftmovementsintheland。Theyspringup，fail，wail，disappear，onlytobesucceededbytwiceasmanymore。Theyfailbecauseinsteadofhavingthebarreldotheuplifting，theytrytodoitwithaderrick。
Thevictimsoftheartificialupliftcannotstayuplifted。Theyrattleback，and"thelastestateofthatmanisworsethanthefirst。"
Youcannotupliftabeggarbygivinghimalms。Youareusingthederrick。Wemustfeedthehungryandclothethenaked，butthatisnothelpingthem，thatisproppingthem。Thebeggarwhoasksyoutohelphimdoesnotwanttobehelped。Hewantstobepropped。Hewantsyoutolicensehimandprofessionalizehimasabeggar。
Youcanonlyhelpamantohelphimself。Helphimtogrow。Youcannothelpmanypeople，fortherearenotmanypeoplewillingtobehelpedontheinside。Notmanywillingtogrowup。
WhenPeterandJohnwentuptothetempletheyfoundthelamebeggarsittingatthegateBeautiful。Everydaythebeggarhadbeen"helped。"Everydayastheylaidhimatthegatepeoplewouldpassthruthegateandseehim。Hewouldsay，"Helpme！""Poorman，"
theywouldreply，"youareinabadfix。Hereishelp，"andtheywouldthrowhimsomemoney。
Andsoeverydaythatbeggargottobemoreofabeggar。Thepublic"helped"himtobepoorerinspirit，morehelplessandamorehopelesscripple。Nodoubthebelongedafterafewdaysofthe"helping"totheJerusalemBeggars’Unionandcarriedhiscard。
Maybehepaidacommissionforsuchachoicebeggars’beat。
ButPeterreallyhelpedhim。"SilverandgoldhaveInone;butsuchasIhavegiveIthee：InthenameofJesusChristofNazarethriseupandwalk。"
FixthePeople，NottheBarrelIusedtosay，"Nobodyusesmeright。Nobodygivesmeachance。"
Butifchanceshadbeensnakes，Iwouldhavebeenbittenahundredtimesaday。Weneedoculists，notopportunities。
Iusedtoworkonthe"section"andgetadollarandfifteencentsaday。Irattledthere。Ididnotearnmydollarfifteen。ItriedtoseehowlittleIcoulddoandlooklikeIwasworking。IwastheArtfulDodgerofSectionSixteen。Whenthewhistlewouldblow——O，joyfulsound！——Iwouldleavemypickhangrightupintheair。I
wouldnotbringitdownagainforasoullesscorporation。
IusedtowonderasIpassedBillBarlow’sbankonthewaydowntothesection-house，whyIwasnotpresidentofthatbank。IwonderedwhyIwasnotsittingupononeofthosemahoganyseatsinsteadofpumpingahandcar。Iwasnaturallybright。Iusedtosay"Iftherichwasn’tgettingricherandthepoorpoorer，I’dbepresidentofabank。"
Didyoueverhearthatlineofconversation？Itgenerallycomesfromsomebodywhorattleswhereheis。
IamsogladnowthatIdidnotgettobepresidentofthebank。
Theyareglad，too！Iwouldhaverattleddowninaboutfifteenminutes，downtothepeanutrow，forIwasonlyapeanut。Remember，thehand-carjobisjustashonorableasthebankjob，butasIwasnotfaithfuloverafewthings，Iwouldhaverattledovermanythings。
Thefairybookslovetotellaboutsomeclodhoppersuddenlyenchantedupintoaking。Butlife’sgoodfairiesseetoitthattheclodhopperisenchantedintoreadinessforkingshipbeforehelandsuponthethrone。
Theonlywaytoruleothersistolearntoruleourself。
Iusedtosay，"JustwaittillIgettoCongress。"Ithinktheyareallwaiting！"I’llfixthings。I’llpasslawsrequiringallapplestobethesamesize。Yes，I’llpasslawstoturnthebarrelupsidedown，sothelittleoneswillbeonthetopandthebigoneswillbeatthebottom。"
ButIhadnotseenthatitwouldn’tmatterwhichendwasthetop，thebigoneswouldshakerightuptoitandthelittleoneswouldshakedowntothebottom。
Thelittlemanhasthechancenow，justasfastashegrows。Youcannotfixthebarrel。Youcanonlyfixthepeopleinsidethebarrel。
Haveyouevernoticedthatthemanwhoisnotwillingtofixhimself，istheonewhowantstogetthemostlawspassedtofixotherpeople？Hewantssomethingfornothing。
ThatCruelFateO，IamsogladIdidnotgetthethingsIwantedatthetimeI
wantedthem！Theywouldhavebeencoffee-pots。Thankgoodness，wedonotgetthecoffee-potuntilwearereadytohandleit。
TodayyouandIhavethingswecouldn’thaveyesterday。Wejustwantedthemyesterday。O，howwewantedthem！Butacruelfatewouldnotletushavethem。Todaywehavethem。Theycometousasnaturallytoday，andweseeitisbecausewehavegrownreadyforthem，andthebarrelhasshakenusuptothem。
TodayyouandIwantthingsbeyondourreach。O，howwewantthem！
Butacruelfatewillnotletushavethem。
Doyounotseethat"cruelfate"isourownsmallnessandunreadiness？Aswegrowgreaterwehavegreaterthings。Wehavetodayallwecanstandtoday。Morewouldwreckus。Morewouldstartustorattling。
Gettingupisgrowingup。
Andthisblessedoldbarreloflifeisjustwaitingandanxioustoshakeeverybodyupasfastaseverybodygrows。
ChapterV
GoingUpHowWeBecomeGreatWEgoupaswegrowgreat。Thatis，wegoupaswegrowup。Butsomanyaretryingtogrowgreatontheoutsidewithoutgrowinggreatontheinside。Theyrattleontheinside！
Theyfoolthemselves，butnobodyelse。
Thereisonlyonegreatness——insidegreatness。Alloutsidegreatnessismerelyanincidentalreflectionoftheinside。
Greatnessisnotmeasuredinanymaterialterms。Itisnotmeasuredininches，dollars，acres，votes，hurrahs，orbyanyotheroftheworld’syardsticksorbarometers。
Greatnessismeasuredinspiritualterms。Itiseducation。Itislifeexpansion。
Wegoupfromselfishnesstounselfishness。
Wegoupfromimpuritytopurity。
Wegoupfromunhappinesstohappiness。
Wegoupfromweaknesstostrength。
Wegoupfromlowidealstohighideals。
Wegoupfromlittlevisiontogreatervision。
Wegoupfromfoolishnesstowisdom。
Wegoupfromfeartofaith。
Wegoupfromignorancetounderstanding。
Wegoupbyourownpersonalefforts。Wegoupbyourownservice，sacrifice，struggleandovercoming。Wepushoutourownskyline。Weriseaboveourownobstacles。Welearntosee，hear，holdandunderstand。
Wemaybecomeverygreat，veryeducated，riseveryhigh，andyetnotleaveourkitchenorblacksmithshop。Wetakethekitchenorblacksmithshoprightupwithus！Wemakeitagreatkitchenorgreatblacksmithshop。Itbecomesourthrone-room！
Come，letusgrowgreater。Thereisathroneforeachofus。
"GettingtotheTop"
"Gettingtothetop"istheworld’spetdelusion。Thereisnotop。
Nomatterhowhighwerise，wediscoverinfinitedistancesabove。
Thehigherwerise，thebetterweseethatlifeonthisplanetisthegoingupfromtheFinitetotheInfinite。
Theworldsaysthattogetgreatnessmeanstogetgreatthings。Sotheworldisinthebusinessofgetting——gettinggreatfortunes，greatlands，greattitles，greatapplause，greatfame，andfolderol。Afterwhilethepooroldworldhearstheemptyrattleoftheinside，andwails，"Allisvanity。Ifindnopleasureinthem。
Lifeisafailure。"Alloutsidelifeisafailure。Reallifeisinbeingthingsontheinside，notingettingthingsontheoutside。
Iwearyoftheworld’spink-sheetextrasabout"GettingtotheTop"
and"ForgingtotheFront。"Toooftentheyarethesordidstoryofafewscramblingovertheheadsoftheweakerones。Sometimestheyarethestoryofonepigcrowdingtheotherpigsoutofthetroughandcorneringalltheswill！
TheSecretofGreatnessChristJesuswasagreatTeacher。Hismissionwastoeducatehumanity。
Therecametohimthosetwodiscipleswhowantedto"gettothetop。"ThosetwosonsofZebedeewantedtohavethegreatestplacesinthenewkingdomtheyimaginedhewouldestablishonearth。
Theygotverybusypursuinggreatness，butIdonotreadthattheywerehalfsobusypreparingforgreatness。Theyevenhadtheirmotheroutelectioneeringforthem。
"O，Master，"saidthemother，"grantthatthesemytwosonsmaysit，theoneonthyrighthand，andtheotherontheleft，inthykingdom。"
TheMasterlookedwithloveandpityupontheirunpreparedness。
"Areyeabletodrinkofthecup？"Thenhegavetheonlydefinitionofgreatnessthatcaneverstand："Whosoeverwillbegreatamongyou，lethimbeyourminister;andwhosoeverwillbechiefamongyou，lethimbeyourservant。"
Thatiswecannotbe"borngreat，"nor"havegreatnessthrustupon"
us。Wemust"achievegreatness"bydevelopingitontheinside——developingabilitytoministerandtoserve。
Wecannotbuyagreatarm。Ourarmmustbecomeagreatservant，andthusitbecomesgreat。
Wecannotbuyagreatmind。Ourmindmustbecomeagreatservant，andthusitbecomesgreat。
Wecannotbuyagreatcharacter。Itisearnedingreatmoralservice。
TheFirstStepatHandThisistheBigBusinessoflife——goingup，gettingeducated，gettinggreatnessontheinside。Gettinggreatnessontheoutsideislittlebusiness。Muchofitmightylittle。
Everybody’sprivilegeanddutyistobecomegreat。Andthejoyofitisthatthefirststepisalwaysnearestathand。WedonothavetogoofftoNewYorkorChicagoorgochasingaroundtheworldtobecomegreat。Itisagreatstairwaythatleadsfromwhereourfeetarenowupwardforaninfinitenumberofsteps。
Wemusttakethefirststepnow。Mostofuswanttotakethehundredthsteporthethousandthstepnow。Wewanttomakesomespectacularstrideofathousandstepsatoneleap。Thatiswhywefallsohardwhenwemissourstep。
Wemustgorightbacktoouroldplace——intoourkitchenorourworkshoporourofficeandtakethefirststep，solvetheproblemnearestathand。Wemustmakeouroldworkluminouswithanewdevotion。Wemustbattleupovereveryinch。Andasfastaswesolveanddissolvethedifficultiesandturnourburdensintoblessings，wefindlove，theuniversalsolvent，shiningoutofourlives。Wefindourspiritualinfluencesgoingupward。Sothewindsofearthareborn;theyrushinfromthecoldlandstothewarmupwardcurrents。Andsoasourproblemsdisappearandourlifecurrentssetupward，theworldisdrawntowarduswithitsproblems。
Wefindourkitchenorworkshoporofficebecominganewthroneofpower。Wefindtheworldaroundusrisinguptocallusblessed。
Aswegrowgreaterourtroublesgrowsmaller，forweseethemthrugreatereyes。Weriseabovethem。
Aswegrowgreaterouropportunitiesgrowgreater。Thatis，webegintoseethem。Theyarearoundusallthetime，butwemustgetgreatereyestoseethem。
Generallyspeaking，thesmallerourvisionofourwork，themoreweadmirewhatwehaveaccomplishedand"pointwithpride。"Thegreaterourvision，themoreweseewhatisyettobeaccomplished。
Itwasthesweetgirlgraduatewhoatcommencementwonderedhowonesmallheadcouldcontainitall。ItwasNewtonaftergivingtheworldanewsciencewholookedbackoveritandsaid，"Iseemtohavebeenonlyaboyplayingontheseashore***whilethegreatoceanoftruthlayallundiscoveredbeforeme。"Thatgreatoceanisbeforeusall。
TheWidow’sMitesThegreatTeacherpointedtothewidowwhocasthertwomitesintothetreasury，andthentotherichmenwhohadcastinmuchmore。
"Thispoorwidowhathcastinmorethantheyall。ForallthesehaveoftheirabundancecastinuntotheofferingsofGod：butsheofherpenuryhathcastinallthelivingthatshehad。"
Thotherichmenhadcastinmore，yetitwasonlyapartoftheirpossessions。Thewidowcastinless，butitwasallshehad。TheMastercaredlittlewhatthefootingsofthemoneywereinthetreasury。Thatisnotwhywegive。Wegivetobecomegreat。Thewidowhadgivenall——hadcompletelyovercomeherselfishnessandfearofwant。
Becominggreatisovercomingourselfishnessandfear。Hethatsavethhislifeshallloseit，buthethatlosethhislifefortheadvancementofthekingdomofhappinessonearthshallfinditgreatandglorified。
Ourgreatnessthereforedoesnotdependuponhowmuchwegiveoruponwhatwedo，whetherpeelingpotatoesorrulinganation，butuponthepercentageofouroutputtoourresources。Upondoingwithourmightwhatourhandsfindtodo。Quitworryingaboutwhatyoucannotgettodo。Rejoiceindoingthethingsyoucangettodo。
Andasyouarefaithfuloverafewthingsyougouptoberulerovermany。
Theworldsayssomeofushavegoldengiftsandsomehavecoppergifts。Butwhenwecastthemallintothetreasuryofrightservice，thereisanalchemythattransmuteseverygiftintogold。
Everyworkisdrudgerywhendoneselfishly。Everyworkbecomesgoldenwhendoneinagoldenmanner。
FindingtheGreatPeopleIdonotknowwhofittedtheboardsintothefloorIstandupon。I
donotknowallthegreatpeoplewhomaycomeandstanduponthisfloor。ButIdoknowthattheonewhomadethefloor——andtheonewhosweepsit——isjustasgreatasanybodyintheworldwhomaycomeandstanduponit，ifeachbedoinghisworkwiththesamelove，faithfulnessandcapability。
Wehavetolookfartherthanthe"Who’sWho"andDunandBradstreettomakearosterofthegreatpeopleofacommunity。YouwillfindthecommunityheartintheprecioushandfulwhobelievethattheserviceofGodistheserviceofman。
Thegreatpeopleofthecommunityserveandsacrificeforabettertomorrow。Theyarethefaithfulfewwhogetbehindthechurches，theschools，thelyceumandchautauqua，andalltheothermovementsthatgoupward。
Theyaretheoneswhoare"alwaystryingtorunthings。"Theyarethehappyones，happyforthelargervisionthatcomesastheygohigherbyunselfishservice。Theyarediscoveringthattheirsweetestpaycomesfromdoingmanythingstheyarenotpaidfor。
Theyrarelygetthanked，forthecommunitydoesnotoftenthinkofthankingthemuntilitcomestimetodraftthe"resolutionsofrespect。"
Ihadtogotothemouthofacoal-mineinalittleIllinoistown，tofindthemanthebureauhadgivenaslyceumcommitteemanthere。
Iwonderedwhatthegrimy-facedmanfromtheshaft，wearingtheminer’slampinhiscap，couldpossiblyhavetodowiththelyceumcourse。ButIlearnedthathehadalltodowithit。Hehadsoldtheticketsandhaddoneallthemanaging。HewassuperintendentoftheSundayschool。Hewasthestorm-centerofeveryaltruisticeffortinthetown——thegreatestmanthere，becausethemostserviceable，thoheworkedeverydayfulltimewithhispickathisbread-and-butterjob。
Thegreatpeoplearesobusyservingthattheyhavelittletimetostrutandposeintheshowplaces。Fewofthemare"prominentclubmen。"Yourarelyfindtheirnamesinthesocietypage。Theyrarelygive"brilliantsocialfunctions。"Theiridlefamiliesattendtosuchthings。
AGlimpseofGunsaulusIfoundagreatmanlecturingatthechautauquas。HepreachesinChicagoonSundaystothousands。Hewritesbooksandrunsacollegehefoundedbyhisownpreaching。Heisthemainspringofsomanyupliftmovementsthathisnamegetsintothepapersabouteveryday，andyoureaditinalmosteverycommitteedoinggoodthingsinChicago。
HehadbrokenawayfromChicagotohaveavacation。Manypeoplethinkthatavacationmeansgoingoffsomewhereandstretchingoutundertreesorlettingthemindbecomeablank。ButthisChicagopreacherwentfromonechautauquatowntoanother，andtookhisvacationgoingupanddownthestreets。Hedugintothelocalhistoryofeachplace，andbeforedinnerheknewmoreabouttheplacethanmostofthenatives。
"Thereisasermonforme，"hewouldexclaimeveryhalf-hour。Hewenttoseepeoplewhoweredoingthings。Hewenttoseepeoplewhoweredoingnothing。Ineverytownhewoulddiscoversomebodyofunusualattainment。Hemadeeverytownanunusualtown。Heturnedthehumdrumtravelmapintoawonderland。Hescoldedlazytownsandpraisedenterprisingones。Hestoppedyoungfellowsonthestreets。
"Whatareyougoingtodoinlife？"Perhapstheyoungmanwouldsay，"Ihavenochance。""YoucometoChicagoandI’llgiveyouachance，"themanonhisvacationwouldreply。
SothisChicagopreacherwasbusyeveryday，workingovertimeonhisvacation。Hewasbusyaboutotherpeople’sbusiness。Hedidnotonceaskthepriceofland，norwheretherewasagoodinvestmentforhimself，buteverydayhewastryingtomakeaninvestmentinsomebodyelse。
Hisfriendswouldsometimesworryabouthim。Theywouldsay，"Whydoesn’tthedoctortakecareofhimself，insteadoftakingcareofeverybodyelse？Hewearshimselfoutforotherpeopleuntilhehasn’tstrengthenoughlefttolectureanddohisownwork。"
Sometimestheywererightaboutthat。
Buthethatsavethhislifeshallloseit，andhethatlosethhislifeinlovingservicefindsitreturningtohimgreatandglorious。Thisman’spreachingdidnotmakehimgreat。Hiscollegedidnotmakehimgreat。Hisbooksdidnotmakehimgreat。Thesearetheby-products。Hislifeofserviceforothersmakeshimgreat——makeshispreaching，hiscollegeandhisbooksgreat。
ThisChicagomangiveshislifeintotheserviceofhumanity，anditbecomesthefueltomakethesteamtoaccomplishthewonderfulthingshedoes。Lethimstopand"takecareofhimself，"andhiscareerwouldstop。
Ifhehadbegunlifeby"takingcareofhimself"and"lookingoutfornumberone，"stipulatinginadvanceeverycenthewastogetandwritingitalldowninthecontract，mostlikelyDr。FrankW。
Gunsauluswouldhaveremainedastruggling，discouragedpreacherinthebackwoodsofMorrowcounty，Ohio。
GiveItNowGunsaulusoftensays，"Youareplanningandsavingandtellingyourselfthatafterwhileyouaregoingtogivegreatthingsanddogreatthings。Giveitnow！Giveyourdollarnow，ratherthanyourthousandsafterwhile。Youneedtogiveitnow，andtheworldneedstogetitnow。"
ChapterVI
TheProblemof"Preparedness"
PreparingChildrentoLiveTHEproblemof"preparedness"istheproblemofpreparingchildrenforlife。Allotherkindsof"preparedness"fadeintoinsignificancebeforethis。Thehistoryofnationsshowsthattheirstrengthwasnotinthesizeoftheirarmiesandinthevastnessoftheirpopulationandwealth，butinthestrengthandidealsoftheindividualcitizens。
Aslongasthenationwasyoungandgrowing——aslongasthepeoplewerestrugglingandovercoming——thatnationwasstrong。Itwas"prepared。"
Butwhenthestrugglestopped，thestrengthwaned，forthestrengthcamefromthestruggle。Whenthepeoplebecamemateriallyprosperousandsurrenderedtoeaseandindulgence，theybecamefat，stall-fedweaklings。
Thentheyfellapreytoyounger，hardierpeoples。
HastheAmericannationreachedthatperiod？
Manyhomesandcommunitieshavereachedit。
AlloverAmericaarefathersandmotherswhohavestruggledandhavebecomestrongmenandwomenthrutheirstruggles，whoaresaying，"Ourchildrenshallhavebetterchancesthanwehad。Wearelivingforourchildren。Wearegoingtogivethemthebesteducationourmoneycanbuy。"
Then，forgetfulofhowtheybecamestrong，theyplantotakeawayfromtheirchildrentheirbirthright——theiropportunitytobecomestrongand"prepared"——thrustruggleandserviceandovercoming。
Most"advantages"aredisadvantages。Givingachildachancegenerallymeansgettingoutofhisway。Manyanorphancanbegratefulthathewasjoltedfromhislife-preserverandcruellyforcedtosinkorswim。Thushelearnedtoswim。
"Wearegoingtogiveourchildrenthebesteducationourmoneycanbuy。"
Theythinktheycanbuyaneducation——buywisdom，strengthandunderstanding，andgiveittothemC。O。D！Theyseemtothinktheywillbuyanybrandtheysee——buythehomebrandofeducation，orelsesendofftoNewYorkorParisorto"SearsRoebuck，"andgetabucketfuloratankfulofeducation。Iftheyarerichenough，maybetheywillhaveaprivatepipelineofeducationlaidtotheirhome。Theyaregoingtoforcethiseducationintothemregularlyuntiltheygetthemfullofeducation。Theyaregoingtogetthemfullyinflatedwitheducation！
Tollthebell！There’sgoingtobea"blowout。"Thoseinflatedchildrenaregoingtohavetorunon"flattires。"
Fatherandmothercannotbuytheirchildreneducation。Alltheycandoistobuythemsometools，perhaps，andopenthegateandsay，"Sic’em，Tige！"Thechildrenmustgetitthemselves。
Afatherandmothermightaswellsay，"Wewillbuyourchildrenthestrengthwehaveearnedinourarmsandthewisdomwehaveacquiredinalifeofstruggle。"Aswellexpecttheathletetogivethemhisphysicaldevelopmenthehasearnedinyearsofexercise。
Aswellexpectthemusiciantogivethemthetechnichehasacquiredinyearsofpractice。Aswellexpectthescholartogivethemtheabilitytothinkhehasdevelopedinyearsofstudy。AswellexpectMosestogivethemhisspiritualunderstandingacquiredinalonglifeofprayer。
Theycanshowthechildrentheway，buteachchildmustmakethejourney。
Hereisatypicalcase。
TheStoryof"Gussie"
TherewasafactorytownbackEast。Notaprettytown，butjustagreat，dirtymillandalotoflittledirtyhousesaroundthemill。
Thehandslivedinthelittledirtyhousesandworkedsixdaysoftheweekinthebigmill。
Therewasalittle，oldmanwhowentaboutthatmill，oftensaying，"Ihain’tgotnobookl’arnin’liketherestofyou。"Hewasthemanwhoownedthemill。Hehadmadeitwithhisowngeniusoutofnothing。Hehadbecomerichandhonored。Everymaninthemilllovedhimlikeafather。
Hehadanidolatryforabook。
Healsohadalittlepinkson，whosenamewasF。GustavusAdolphus。
Thelittleoldmanoftensaid，"I’mgoingtogivethatboythebesteducationmymoneycanbuy。"
Hebegantobuyit。HebegantopolishandsandpaperGussiefromtheminutethechildcouldsitupinthecradleandnoticethings。
Hesenthimtotheastrologer，thephrenologerandallother"ologers"theyhadaroundthere。WhenGussiewasoldenoughtoexport，hesenttheboytooneofthegreatestuniversitiesintheland。Thefaultwasnotwiththeuniversity，notwithGussie，whowasbrightandcapable。
Thefaultwaswiththelittleoldman，whowassowiseandgreatabouteverythingelse，andsofoolishabouthisownboy。Intheblindnessofhisloveherobbedhisboyofhisbirthright。
Thebirthrightofeverychildistheopportunityofbecominggreat——ofgoingup——ofgettingeducated。
Gussiehadnochancetoserve。Everythingwashandedtohimonasilverplatter。GussiewentthruthatuniversityaboutlikeasteerfromTexasgoesthruMr。Armour’sinstituteofpacknologyinChicago。DidyouevergooverintoPackingtownandseeasteerreceivehiseducation？
Youremember，then，thatafterhematriculates——afterhegetsthegrandbump，saidsteerdoesnothavetodoanotherthing。Hiseducationisallarrangedforinadvanceandhemerelyridesthruandreceivesit。Thereisarowofprofessorswiththeirsleevesrolledupwhogivehimthedegrees。SoasMr。T。SteerofPanhandlegoesridingthruonthatendlesscablefromhisA-B-C’stohiseternalcoldstorage，eachprofessorhitshimadab。Heridesalongfromdepartmenttodepartmentuntilheiscanned。
They"canned"Gussie。Hehadamanhiredtostudyforhim。Herodefromdepartmenttodepartment。Theyupholsteredhim，enameledhim，manicuredhim，sugar-curedhim，embalmedhim。FinallyGussiewasdoneandthepaintwasdry。Hewasathingofbeauty。
GussieandBillWhackemGussiecamebackhomewithhiseducationinthebaggage-car。Itwaschecked。Themillshutdownonaweekday，thefirsttimeinitshistory。Thehandsmarcheddowntothedepot，andwhentheyounglordalighted，thefactorybandplayed，"See，theConqueringHeroComes。"
Afewyearslaterthemillshutdownagainonaweekday。Therewascrapehangingontheofficedoor。Menandwomenstoodweepinginthestreets。Thelittleoldmanhadbeentranslated。
Whentheynextopenedupthemill，F。GustavusAdolphuswasatitshead。
Hehadinheritedtheentireplant。"F。GustavusAdolphus，President。"
Poorlittlepeanut！Herattled。Hehadnevergrowngreatenoughtofillsogreataplace。Intwoyearsandsevenmonthsthemillwasawreck。Themonumentofafather’slifetimewaswreckedintwoyearsandsevenmonthsbytheboywhohadallthe"advantages。"
Sothemillwasshutdownthethirdtimeonaweekday。Itlookedasthoitnevercouldopen。Butitdidopen，andwhenitopenedithadanewkindofboss。IfIweretogivethenewbossadescriptivename，Iwouldcallhim"BillWhackem。"Hewasanorphan。Hehadlittlechance。Hehadanewblackeyealmosteveryday。Butheseemedtofattenonbumps。Everytimehewasbumpedhewouldswellup。Howfasthegrew！Hebecamethemostusefulmaninthecommunity。PeopleforgotallaboutBill’slowlyorigin。Theygottolookinguptohimtostartandrunthings。
Sowhenthecourtswerelookingforsomebodybigenoughtotakechargeofthewreckedmill，theysimplyhadtoappointHon。WilliamWhackem。
ItwasHon。WilliamWhackemwhoputthewreckagetogetherandmadethewheelsgoround，andfinallygotthehungrytownbacktowork。
CollegesGiveUsToolsAfterthatagoodmanypeoplesaiditwasthecollegethatmadeafoolofGussie。TheysaidBillsucceededsowellbecauseheneverwenttooneof"themhighbrowschools。"IamsorrytosayIthoughtthatwayforagoodwhile。
ButnowIseethatBillwentupinspiteofhishandicaps。IfhehadhadGussie’sfineequipmenthemighthaveaccomplishedvastlymore。
Thebookandthecollegesufferatthehandsoftheirfriends。Theysaytothebookandthecollege，"Giveusaneducation。"Theycannotdothat。YoucannotgetaneducationfromthebookandthecollegeanymorethanyoucangettoNewYorkbyreadingatravelers’guide。
Youcannotgetphysicaleducationbyreadingabookongymnastics。
Thebookandthecollegeshowyoutheway，giveyouinstructionandfurnishyoufinerworkingtools。Buttherealeducationisthejourneyyoumake，thestrengthyoudevelop，theserviceyouperformwiththeseinstrumentsandtools。
Gussiewasinthepositionofamanwithaveryfineequipmentoftoolsandnoexperienceinusingthem。Billwasthemanwiththepoor，homemade，crudetools，butwiththeenergy，visionandstrengthdevelopedbystruggle。
The"HardKnocksGraduates"
Foreducationisgettingwisdom，understanding，strength，greatness，physically，mentallyandmorally。IbelieveIknowsomepeopleliberallyeducatedwhocannotwritetheirownnames。Buttheyhaveservedandovercomeanddevelopedgreatliveswiththepoor，crudetoolsattheircommand。
Inalmosteverycommunityarewhatwesometimescall"hardknocksgraduates"——peoplewhohaveneverbeentocollegenorhavestudiedmanyoranybooks。Yettheyareeducatedtothedegreetheyhaveacquiredtheseelementsofgreatnessintheirlives。
Theyrealizedhowtheyhavebeenhandicappedbytheirpoormentaltools。
Thatiswhytheysay，"AllmylifeIhavebeenhandicappedbylackofproperpreparation。Don’tmakemymistake，children，gotoschool。"
Theyoungpersonwithelectricalgeniuswillmakeanelectricalmachinefromafewbitsofjunk。ButsendhimtoWestinghouseandseehowmuchmorehewillachievewiththesamegeniusandwithfinerequipment。
Getthebesttoolsyoucan。Butrememberdiplomas，degreesarenotaneducation，theyaremerelypreparations。Whenyouarethruwiththebooks，remember，youarehavingacommencement，notanend-ment。Youwilldiscoverwiththepassingyearsthatlifeisjustoneseriesofgreatercommencements。
Gooutwithyourfineequipmentfromyourcommencementsintotheschoolofserviceandwriteyoureducationintheonlybookyouevercanknow——thebookofyourexperience。
Thatiswhatyouknow——whatthecourtswilltakeasevidencewhentheyputyouuponthewitnessstand。
TheTragedyofUnpreparednessThestoryofGussieandBillWhackemisbeingwrittenineverycommunityintears，failureandheartache。ItispeculiarlyatragedyofourAmericancivilizationtoday。
Thesefathersandmotherswhotoilandsave，whogetgreatfarms，finehomesandlargebankaccounts，sooftenthinktheycangivegreatnesstotheirchildren——theycanmakegreatplacesfortheminlifeandputthemintothem。
Theydoallthisandthechildrenrattle。Theyhavehadnochancetogrowgreatenoughfortheplaces。Thechildgetstheblameformakingthewreck，evenasGussiewasblamedforwreckinghisfather’splant，whenthechildisthevictim。
AmanheardmetellingthestoryofGussieandBillWhackem，andhewentoutofmyaudienceveryindignant。Hesaidhewasverygladhisboywasnottheretohearit。Butthatgood，deludedfathernowhashisheadbowedinshameoverthecareerofhisspoiledson。
Irarelytellofitonaplatformthatatthecloseofthelecturesomebodydoesnottakemeasideandtellmeastoryjustassadfromthatcommunity。
ForyearspoorHarryThawwasfront-pagedonthenewspapersandgibbetedinthepulpitsastheshockingexampleofyouthfuldepravity。Heseemsnevertohavehadafightingchancetobecomeaman。Heseemstohavebeenrobbedofhisbirthrightfromthecradle。YetthefatherofthisboywhohascostAmericamillionsincourtanddetentionexpenseswasoneofthegreatestbusinessgeneralsoftheKeystonestate。Hecouldplatgreatcoalempiresandcommandarmiesofmen，butheseemstohavebeenpitifullyignorantofthefactthatthebarrelshakes。
Itistheeducated，therichandtheworldlywisewhoblundermostinthetrainingoftheirchildren。Povertyisabettertrainerfortherest。
ThemenaceofAmericaliesnotintheswollenfortunes，butintheshrunkensoulswhoinheritthem。
ButNature’seliminatingprocessiskindtotheraceinthebarrelshakingdowntherattlers。Somebodysaiditisonlythreegenerationsfromshirtsleevestoshirtsleeves。
HowlongthisnationwillenduredependsuponhowmanyGussieboysthisnationproduces。Steamheatisafinething，butdoyounoticehowfewofourstrongmengettheirstartwithsteamheat？
Children，LearnThisEarlyYouboysandgirls，Godblessyou！Youliveingoodhomes。Fatherandmotherloveyouandgiveyoueverythingyouneed。Yougettothinking，"Iwon’thavetoturnmyhandover。Papaandmammawilltakecareofme，andwhentheyaregoneI’llinheriteverythingtheyhave。I’mfixedforlife。"
No，youareunfixed。Youareacandidatefortrouble。Youaregoingtorattle。Fatherandmothercanbegreatandyoucanbeapeanut。
Youmustsolveyourownproblemsandcarryyourownloadstohaveastrongmindandback。Anybodywhodoesforyouregularlywhatyoucandoforyourself——anybodywhogivesyouregularlywhatyoucanearnforyourself，isrobbingyouofyourbirthright。
Fatherandmothercanputmoneyinyourpocket，ideasinyourheadandfoodinyourstomach，butyoucannotownitsaveasyoudigestit——putitintoyourlife。
Ihavereadsomewhereaboutamanwhofoundacocoonandputitinhishousewherehecouldwatchitdevelop。Onedayhesawalittleinsectstrugglinginsidethecocoon。Itwastryingtogetoutoftheenvelope。Itseemedintroubleandneededhelp。Heopenedtheenvelopewithaknifeandsetthestrugglinginsectfree。Butoutcameamonstrositythatsoondied。Ithadanover-developedbodyandunder-developedwings。Helearnedthathelpingtheinsectwaskillingit。Hetookawayfromittheverythingithadtohave——thestruggle。Foritwasthisstruggleofbreakingitsownwayoutofthatenvelopethatwasneededtoreduceitsbodyanddevelopitswings。
NotPackhorseWorkButrememberthereislittlevirtueinworkunlessitisgettingussomewhere。Justworkthatgetsusthreemealsadayandaplacetoliedowntosleep，thenanotherdayofthesamegrind，thenayearofitandyearsfollowinguntilourmachineiswornoutandonthejunkpile，meanslittle。"Onedaynearerhome"forsuchaworkermeansonedaynearerthescrapheap。
Suchaworkerislikethepackhorsewhogoesforwardtokeepaheadofthewhip。Suchaworkeristhehorseweusedtohavehitchedtothesorghummill。Roundandroundthathorsewent，seeingnothing，hearingnothing，hisheaddown，withoutambitionenoughtoprickuphisears。Suchworkdeadensandstupefies。Themassesworkaboutthatway。Theyregardworkasanecessaryevil。Theyareright——suchworkisanecessaryevil，andtheymakeitsuch。Theyfollowtheirnose。"Dumb，drivencattle。"
Butgettingavisionoflife，andworkingtogrowupwardtoit，thatistheworkthatbringsthejoyandthegreatness。
Whenwearegrowingandlettingourfacultiesdevelop，wewillloveeventhepackhorsejob，becauseitisour"mealticket"thatenablesustotravelupward。
"Helping"theTurkeysOnetimeIputsometurkeyeggsunderthemotherhenandwaiteddaybydayforthemtohatch。Andsureenough，onedaytheeggsbegantocrackandthelittleturkeysbegantosticktheirheadsoutoftheshells。Someofthelittleturkeyscameoutfromtheshellsallright，butsomeofthemstuckintheshells。
"Shellout，littleturkeys，shellout，"Iurged，"forThanksgivingiscoming。Shellout！"
Buttheystucktotheshells。
"Littleturkeys，I’llhavetohelpyou。I’llhavetoshellyoubyhand。"SoIpickedtheshellsoff。"Littleturkeys，youwillneverknowhowfortunateyouare。Ordinaryturkeysdonothavetheseadvantages。Ordinaryturkeysdonotgetshelledbyhand。"
DidIhelpthem？Ikilledthem，orstuntedthem。Notoneoftheturkeyswas"right"thatIhelped。Theywererunts。OneofthemwasaregularHarryThawturkey。Theyhadtoomanysilksocks。Toomany"advantages。"
Children，youmustcrackyourownshells。Youmustovercomeyourownobstaclestodevelopyourownpowers。
Arichboycansucceed，buthehasapoorerchancethanapoorboy。
Thecardsareagainsthim。Hemustsucceedinspiteofhis"advantages。"
Iampleadingforyoutogetagreatarm，agreatmind，agreatcharacter，forthejoyofhavingalargerlife。Iampleadingwithyoutoknowthejoyofovercomingandhavingtheangelscomeandministertoyou。
HappinessinOurWorkChildren，Iampleadingwithyoutofindhappiness。Alltheworldisseekinghappiness，butsomanyareseekingitbyrattlingdowninsteadofbyshakingup。
Thehappinessisingoingup——indevelopingagreaterarm，agreatermind，agreatercharacter。
Happinessisthejoyofovercoming。Itisthedelightofanexpandingconsciousness。Itisthecryoftheeaglemountingupward。Itistheproofthatweareprogressing。
Wefindhappinessinourwork，notoutsideofourwork。Ifwecannotfindhappinessinourwork，wehavethewrongjob。Findtheworkthatfitsyourtalents，andstopwatchingtheclockandplanningvacations。
Lovingfriendsusedtowarnmeagainst"breakingdown。"Theyscaredmeinto"takingcare"ofmyself。AndIgottotakingsuchgoodcareofmyselfandwatchingforsymptomsthatIbecameaphysicalwreck。
Isavedmyselfbygettingbusier。IplungedintoworkIlove。I
foundmyjobinmywork，notawayfromit，andtheworkrefreshedmeandrejuvenatedme。NowIdotwomen’swork，andhavegrownfromaskinny，fretful，nervouswreckintoahearty，happyman。Thishasbeenagreatsurprisetomyfriendsandagreatdisappointmenttotheundertaker。Iamaneditorinthedaytimeandalectureratnight。
Ieditalldayandtakeavacationlecturingatnight。Ilecturealmosteverydayoftheyear——maybetwoorthreetimessomedays——andthentakeavacationbyeditingandwriting。Thuseverydayisjamfullofplayandvacationandgoodtimes。Theyearisoneroundofjoy，andIoughttopaypeoplefortheprivilegeofspeakingandwritingtotheminsteadofthempayingme！
IfIdidnotlikemywork，ofcourse，Iwouldbecarryingaterribleburdenandwouldspeedilycollapse。
Yousee，Ihavenotimenowadaystobreakdown。Ihavenotimetothinkandgruntandworryaboutmybody。AndlikePaulIamhappytobe"absentfromthebodyandpresentwiththeLord。"ThusthisoldbodybehavesjustbeautifullyandwagsalonglikethetailfollowsthedogwhenIforgetallaboutit。Thegrunterletsthetailwagthedog。
Ihaveneverknownacaseofgenuine"overwork。"Ihaveneverknownofanyonekillinghimselfbyworking。ButIhaveknownofmultitudeskillingthemselvesbytakingvacations。
Thepeoplewhothinktheyareoverworkingaremerelyoverworrying。
Thisisonespeciesofselfishness。
ToworryistodoubtGod。
Toworkatthethingsyoulove，orforthoseyoulove，istoturnworkintoplayanddutyintoprivilege。
Whenweloveourwork，itisnotwork，itislife。
ManyKindsofDrunkardsTheworldistryingtofindhappinessinbeingamused。Theworldisamusement-mad。Vacations，CocaColaandmoviemania！
Whatasad，emptylotofrattlers！Lookoverthebillsofthemovies，lookoverthenewsstandsandseeapictureofthepopularmind，fortheseplaceskeepjustwhatthepeoplewanttobuy。Whatalotofmentalfrog-pondandmoralslumourboysandgirlswadethru！
Therearetenliterarydrunkardstoonealcoholicdrunkard。Thereareahundredamusementdrunkardstoonevictimofstrongdrink。
Andalljustashardtocure。
Wehavetohaveamusement，butifwefillourliveswithnothingbutamusement，wenevergrow。Wegothruourlivesbabieswithnewrattleboxesand"sugar-tits。"
AlmosteverydayasIgoalongthestreettosomehalltolecture，Ihearsomebodyasking，"Whataretheygoingtohaveinthehalltonight？"
"Goingtohavealecture。"
"Lecture？"saidwithashiverasthoitwas"smallpox。""Iain’tgoin。’Idon’tlikelectures。"
Thespeakerisperfectlyhonest。Hehasnoplacetoputalecture。
Iamnotsayingthatheshouldattendmylecture，butIamgrievingatwhatunderlieshisremark。Hedoesnotwanttothink。Hewantstofollowhisnosearound。Otherpeoplegenerallyleadhisnose。
Themanwhowillnotmaketheefforttothinkisthegreatmenacetothenation。Thecrowdthatdriftsandlivesforamusementisthecrowdthatfindsitselfbacknearthecaboose，andasthetrainofprogressleavesthem，theywail，they"neverhadnochanct。"Theywanttostartanewpartytoreformthegovernment。
TheLureoftheCityDoyouevergetlonelyinacity？Howfewmenandwomenthere。A
jamofpeople，mostofthemimitations——mostofthemtryingtolookliketheygetmoresalary。Poor，hungry，dopedbutterfliesofthebrightlights，——hopers，suckersandstraphangers！Downthegreatwhitewaytheygochasingamusementtofindhappiness。Theymustbeamusedeverymoment，evenwhentheyeat，ortheywillhavetobealonewiththeiremptylives。
TheProdigalSoncametohimselfafterwhileandthoughtuponhisways。Thenhearoseandwenttohisfather’shouse。Wheneveronewillstopchasingamusementslongenoughtothinkuponhisways，hewillariseandgotohisfather’shouseofwisdom。Butthereisnohopeforthepersonwhowillnotstopandthink。Andthedevilworksdayandnightshiftskeepingthecrowdmovingon。
Thatiswhythecrowdisnotfurnishingthestrongmenandwomen。
Wemusthaveamusementandrelaxation。Studyyourmuscles。Firsttheycontract，thentheyrelax。Butthemusclethatgoesoncontinuallyrelaxingisdegenerating。Andtheindividual，thecommunity，thenationthatgoesonrelaxingwithoutcontracting——withoutstrugglingandovercoming——isdegenerating。
Themoreyoustudyyourmuscles，themoreyoulearnthatwhileonemuscleisrelaxinganotheriscontracting。Soyoumustlearnthatyourrealrelaxation，vacationandamusement，aremerelychangingovertocontractinganothersetofmuscles。
Gotothebankpresident’soffice，gototherailroadmagnate’soffice，gotothegreatpulpit，tothecollegechair——gotoanyplaceofgreatresponsibilityinacityandasktheonewhofillstheplace，"Wereyouborninthiscity？"
Thereplyisalmostamonotony。"Iborninthiscity？No，IwasborninPoseyville，Indiana，andIcametothiscityfortyyearsagoandwenttoworkatthebottom。"
Heglowsashetellsyouofsomelog-cabinhome，hillsideorfarmsidewherehestruggledasaboy。Personally，Ithinkthislog-cabinancestryhasbeenover-confessedforcampaignpurposes。
Giveussteamheatandpush-buttons。Thereisnovirtueinalog-cabin，savethattherethenecessityforstrugglethatbringsstrengthismostinevidence。Theretheyoungpersongetsthestruggleandservicethatmakesforstrengthandgreatness。Andasthatyoungpersoncomestothecityandshakesinthebarrelamongtheweaklingsoftheartificiallife，herisesabovethemliketheeaglesoarsabovealotofchatteringsparrows。
Thecitiesdonotmaketheirownsteam。Thelittleminorityfromthefarmscontrolsthemajority。Theredbloodofredemptionflowsfromthecountryyearbyyearintothenationalarteries，elsethesecitieswoulddropoffthemap。
IfitwerenotforPoseyville，Indiana，Chicagowoulddisappear。
IfitwerenotforPoseyville，NewYorkwoulddisintegrateforlackofleaders。
"Hep"and"Pep"fortheHomeTownButsomanyofthehometownsofAmericaaresick。Manyaredying。
Manyaredead。
Itisthelureofthecity——andthelure-lessnessofthecountry。
Thetowntheyoungpeopleleaveisthetowntheyoungpeopleoughttoleave。Somebodysays，"Thereasonsomanyyoungpeoplegotohellisbecausetheyhavenootherplacetogo。"
Whatisthematterwiththesmalltown？Donotblameitalluponthecitymailorderhouse。Withruraldelivery，dailypapers，telephones，centralizedschools，automobilesandgoodroads，therearenomoredelightfulplacesintheworldtolivethaninthecountryorinthesmalltown。Theyhavethecityadvantagesplussunshine，airandfreedomthatthecrowdedcitiescannothave。
IaskedthekeeperwhowasshowingmethrutheinsaneasylumatWeston，WestVirginia，"Yousayyouhavenearlytwothousandinsanepeopleinthisinstitutionandonlyascoreofguardstokeepthemin。Aren’tyouindanger？Whatistohindertheseinsanepeoplefromgettingtogether，organizing，overpoweringthefewguardsandbreakingout？"
Thekeeperwasnotintheleastalarmedatthequestion。Hesmiled。
"Manypeoplesaythat。Buttheydon’tunderstand。Ifthesepeoplecouldgettogethertheywouldn’tbeinthisasylum。Theyareinsane。Notwoofthemcanagreeuponhowtogettogetherandhowtobreakout。Soafewofuscanholdthem。"
Itwouldbealmostunkindtocarrythisfurther，butIhavebeenthinkingeversincethataboutthree-fourthsofthesmalltownsofAmericahaveonethingincommonwiththeasylumfolks——theycan’tgettogether。Theycannotorganizeforthepublicgood。Theybreakupintolittleantagonisticsocial，businessandevenreligiousfactionsandneutralizeeachother’sefforts。
Alotofstrugglingchurchescompetewitheachotherinsteadofmassingforthecommongood。Andwhenthechurchesfight，thedevilstaysneutralandfurnishesthemunitionsforbothsides。
Sothehometownsstagnateandtheyoungpeoplewithvisionsgoawaytothecitieswhereopportunityseemstobeckon。Ninety-nineoutofahundredofthemwilljostlewiththestraphangersalltheirlives，merewheelsturningroundinahugemachine。
Ninety-nineoutofahundredofthemmighthavehadalargeropportunityrightbackinthehometown，hadthetownbeenawakeandunitedandinviting。
Wemustmakethehometownthebrightest，mostattractive，mostpromisingplacefortheyoungpeople。Nohometowncanaffordtospenditsyearsraisingcropsofyoungpeopleforthecities。Thatistheworstkindofsoilimpoverishment——allgoingoutandnothingcomingback。Thatisthedrainthatdevitalizesthehometownsmorethanallthecitymailorderhouses。
Americaistobegreat，notinthegreatnessofafewcrowdedcities，butinthegreatnessofinnumerablehometowns。
Theslogantodayshouldbe，ForGodandHomeandtheHomeTown！
ASchoolofStruggleDr。HenrySolomonLehr，founderoftheOhioNorthernUniversityatAda，Ohio，oneofOhio’sgreatesteducators，usedtosaywithpride，"Ourstudentscometoschool;theyarenotsent。"
Heencouragedhisstudentstobeself-supporting，andmostofthemwereworkingtheirwaythruschool。Hemadetheschoolcalendarandcourseselastictoaccommodatethem。Hesawtheneedofcombiningtheschoolofbookswiththeschoolofstruggle。Heorganizedhisschoolintocompetinggroups，sothatthestudentwhohadnostruggleinhislifewouldatleasthavetostrugglewiththeothersduringhisschooling。
Hepittedclassagainstclass。Heorganizedgreatliteraryanddebatingsocietiestocompetewitheachother。Hearrangedcontestsforthemilitarydepartment。Hisschoolwasonesurgingmassofcontestants。Yeteachstudentfeltnocompulsion。Ratherhefeltthathewasinitiatinganindividualorclassefforttowin。Theliterarysocietiesviedwitheachotherintheirprogramsandingettingnewmembers，goingeverytermtounbelievableeffortstowinovertheothers。Theywouldgomilesoutonthetrainstointerceptnewstudents，eventotheirhomesinotherstates。Eacholdstudentpledgednewstudentsinhishomecountry。Themilitarycompaniesturnedtheschoolintoamilitarycampforweekseachyear，scarcelysleepingwhiledrillingforacontestflag。
Thosestudentswentoutintotheworldtrainedtostruggle。IdonotbelievethereisaschoolinAmericawithagreateralumnirollofmenandwomenofuniformlygreaterachievement。
Ibelievethemostusefulschoolstodayareschoolsofstruggleschoolsofferingencouragementandfacilitiesforyoungpeopletoworktheirwaythruandtoactupontheirowninitiative。
MenNeededMoreThanMillionsWearetryinganeweducationalexperimenttoday。
Theold"deestrick"schoolispassing，andwithitthesmallacademiesandcolleges，eachwithitshandfulofstudentsaroundateacher，asintheolddaysofthelyceuminAthens，whenthepupilssataroundthephilosopherinthegroves。
Fromtheseschoolscamethemakersandthepreserversofthenation。
Todaywearebuildingwonderfulpublicschoolswithequallywonderfulequipment。Todaywearereplacingthemanysmallcollegeswithafewgreatcentralizedstatenormalschoolsandstateuniversities。Wearespendingmillionsupontheminlaboratories，equipmentandmaintenance。Todaywescourtheearthforspecialiststositinthechairsandspeakthelastwordineverydepartmentofhumanresearch。
O，howthestudentsofthe"darkages"wouldhaverejoicedtoseethisday！Manyofthemneversawagerm！
Buteachstudenthasthesamedefiniteefforttomakeinassimilationtodayasthen。Knowingandgrowingdemandthesamepersonalstruggleinthecushionsofthe"frat"houseasbackontheoldoak-slabbenchwithitssplinteredsideup。
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