Reading Made Easy for Foreigners - Third Reader Part 10

LESSON x.x.xIII

SELF-RELIANCE

Of all the elements of success none is more vital than self-reliance,--a determination to be one's own helper, and not to look to others for support. It is the secret of all individual growth and vigor, the master-key that unlocks all difficulties in every profession or calling. "Help yourself, and Heaven will help you," should be the motto of every man who would make himself useful in the world. He who begins with crutches will generally end with crutches. Help from within always strengthens, but help from without invariably enfeebles.

It is said that a lobster, when left high and dry among the rocks, has not instinct and energy enough to work his way back to the sea, but waits for the sea to come to him. If it does not come, he remains where he is and dies, although the slightest effort would enable him to reach the waves. The world is full of human lobsters,--men stranded on the rocks of business, who, instead of putting forth their energy, are waiting for some grand billow of good fortune to set them afloat.

There are many young men, who, instead of carrying their own burdens, are always dreaming of some Hercules, in the shape of a rich uncle, or some other benevolent relative, coming to give them a "lift." In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, pecuniary help to a beginner is not a blessing, but a calamity. Under the appearance of aiding, it weakens its victims, and keeps them in perpetual slavery and degradation.

Let every young man have faith in himself, and take an earnest hold of life, scorning all props and b.u.t.tresses, all crutches and life-preservers. Instead of wielding the rusted swords of valorous forefathers, let him forge his own weapons; and, mindful of the Providence over him, let him fight his own battles with his own good lance.

SELECTION XIII

PRAYER IN BATTLE

Father, I call to Thee.

Roaring enshrouds me, the din of the battle, Round me like lightning the leaping shots rattle.

Leader of battles, I call to Thee.

Father, Thou lead me.

Father, Thou lead me.

Lead me to victory, lead me to death; Lord, at Thy pleasure I offer my breath.

Lord, as Thou wilt, so lead me.

G.o.d, I acknowledge Thee.

G.o.d, I acknowledge Thee.

So when the thunders of battle are breaking, As when the leaves of the autumn are shaking, Fountain of grace, I acknowledge Thee.

Father, Thou bless me.

Father, Thou bless me.

Into Thine hand I my being resign; Thou didst bestow it--to take it be Thine.

Living and dying, O bless me.

Father, I honor Thee.

Father, I honor Thee.

Not for earth's riches unsheath we the sword; 'Tis our hearts we protect; 'tis Thy temples, O Lord; So railing or conquering, I honor Thee.

To Thee, G.o.d, I yield me.

To thee, G.o.d, I yield me.

Round me when death's fiery tempest is rushing, When from my veins the red currents are gushing, To Thee, O my G.o.d, do I yield me.

Father, I call to Thee.

_Theo. Korner_.

LESSON x.x.xIV

FRANKLIN'S TOAST

Long after Washington's judicious and intrepid conduct in respect to the French and English had made his name familiar to all Europe, Dr.

Franklin chanced to dine with the English and French amba.s.sadors, when the following toasts were given:--

The British amba.s.sador, rising, said: "England,--the sun whose bright beams enlighten and fertilize the remotest corners of the earth."

The French amba.s.sador, glowing with national pride, but too polite to dispute the previous toast, said: "France,--the moon whose mild, steady, and cheering rays are the delight of all nations, consoling them in darkness, and making their dreariness beautiful."

Dr. Franklin then arose, and, with his usual dignified simplicity, said: "George Washington,--the Joshua who commanded the sun and moon to stand still, and they obeyed him."

LESSON x.x.xV

HUMANITY REWARDED

Joseph the Second, Emperor of Germany, once received a pet.i.tion in favor of a poor old officer, with a family of ten children, who was reduced to the utmost poverty.

After making inquiries respecting the man, and satisfying himself of his worth, the Emperor determined to judge of his necessities by personal observation.

Accordingly he went alone to the house of the officer, whom he found seated at table, with eleven children around him, dining upon vegetables of his own planting.

The Emperor, who was disguised as a private citizen, after some general conversation with the officer, said: "I heard you had ten children, but I see here eleven."

"This," replied the officer, pointing to one, "is a poor orphan, whom I found at my door. I have endeavored to obtain for him the a.s.sistance of persons who could better afford to provide for him, but have not been able to succeed; and of course, I could do no better than share my little portion with him."

The Emperor, admiring the generous humanity of the poor man, immediately made himself known to him, and said, "I desire that all these children may be my pensioners, and that you will continue to give them examples of virtue and honor.

"I grant you one hundred florins per annum. for each, and also, an addition of two hundred florins to your pension. Go tomorrow to my treasurer, where you will receive the first quarter's payment, together with a lieutenant's commission for your eldest son. Henceforth I will be the father of all the family."

LESSON x.x.xVI

WORK PROCLAIMS A WORKMAN

A certain baron had an only son, who was not only a comfort to his father, but a blessing to all who lived on his father's land. Once, when the young man was away from home, a gentleman called to see his father, and using the name of G.o.d irreverently, the good old baron reproved him.

"Are you not afraid," said he, "of offending the great Being who reigns above, by thus using His name in vain?" The gentleman said he neither feared nor believed in a being he could not see.

The next morning the baron showed the gentleman a beautiful painting that adorned his hall. The gentleman admired the picture very much, and, when told by the baron that his son painted it, said: "Your son is an excellent painter."

The baron then took his visitor into the garden, and showed him many beautiful flowers, arranged in the most perfect order. "Who has the direction of this garden?" said the gentleman. "My son," said the baron. "Indeed," said the gentleman; "I begin to think he is something uncommon."