23fl
Tide of Battle.
Vol. vi,
sue that all proper employments arc equal
1' honorable. That mon ma be content
eel in their various occupations, nature has
caused them to dill'or one from another in
mental constitution. Hence we sec the
necessity that one bhould form a careful
estimate of his own abilities, and guide
his course accordingly. A desire to en
gage in some high calling is a praisu-wor-thy
motive, if it be within the limit of his
capacity. Remembering thai places of
uminencc are rare, we should shape our
ideals 03 the structure of our own minds,
so that, even if wo do chose an humble
calling, we shall thereby gain the appro
bation of our own conscience. M.
TIDE OF BATTLE.
The tide of tho battle cvr changes.
The result of conllicLs and contests de
cides the dcsteiiies of nations, kingdoms,
and empires. As the sentence of life or
death depends upon the resullof a contest,
how anxiously the poeplc await their
doom, in almost breathless suspense. Yot
while the result may hang on the most
brittle thread; while doubl comes, borne
on the moaning breeze, above the din of
battle; how desperately the light goes on,
and with what tenacity do the paiticipants
cling to the last cherished hope of success.
While the result hangs in the balance, and
while there seems to be a w.ivering from
one sido to the other, a little Miccor upon
either side might turn the tide of battle.
Just so it is in the lire of individuals.
"When one encounters the storms of life
singly and alone, quite frequently the op.
position is too strong: and beaten back by
the driving storm, he fails to accomplish
his desigu on account of his own weak
ness. Yot in this direful dilemma, a lit
tle succor from a fellow-man might ena
ble him to over-come the obstacle, and fit
him for safe sailing upon the angry bil
jows uuvu uucouuuireu in me more se
vere storms of after life.
This leaches our mutual dependence up.
on each other. A little help from a fellow
man is not only now and then acceptable,
but absolutely indispensable. Yes indeed
we are mutually dependent, mid we cannot
conceive of un individual so high in the
scale of wealth ; so potent in the scale of
being, or with such an innate faculty of
self-regulation and self-government thai
he could, even for a limited time, dispense
with the assistance of his fellows, much
less could he dispense with the assistance
and protection of an infinite and omnis
cient God. In view of these facts, our du
ty becomes plain. "Hear ye one another's
burdens." He judicious in your move
incuts; take care of the present momenta;
and as you travel up the hill, encounter
ing the oppositions which almost con
stantly present themselves, remember that
as your fellow man's advice and assistance
is oft-times needed; so your fellow com
panion has a right to expect your help in
times of trouble. Justice demands that
we lend a helping hand to the weak and
erring ones. Surety the tide of battle wa
vers. In tho loudest roar of battle;
In the darkest cccnro of life;
If a helping hand is IcdI mc,
I am sure to wiu the strife.
Upon the groat battle fields of human
carnage, when the scale stands, quivering
in the balance, how many eager eyes are
turned towards the scene of strife; and
when the news of victory comes, how ma
ny hearts beat with a quickened pulse at
fie thought of success. How muck more
confident do the victorious people cuter
upon the next campaign, knowing that one
victory opens the way for another, and
they arc inspired with the hope that the
final triumph shall be theirs.
As Alexander aroused and conquered
the world; as all Europe stood spell-bound
as if from an electi ic shock, at the won
derful achievmenls of Charles XII of
Sweden ; as the Czar of Russia trembled
at the approach of Napoleon ; so we find
that the people of nearly the whole habit
able globe have, at different limes, been
