The Chemawa American, April 01, 1914, Page 21, Image 21

THE CHEM AW A
AM ERICAN
19
grace to fail in an honest effort but it is a serious reflection on the char­
acter of any student to endeavor at the last moment to cheat his instruc­
tors, and himself, that he may secure a ‘ ‘sheepskin. ’ ’ Above all, he is by
such a course cheating himself for life; robbing himself of that which
would have proved of greatest value to himself and no one else.
Some there are who must fail. But in such event the pupil should not
feel bitter at his instructors, nor at himself, provided he has made an hon­
est and energetic effort. If he has not done his best he will have cause to
taste the bitterness of his failure, but should realize that he can blame no
one but himself. Out of this bitterness with self, if he is at all wise,
will grow a strong resolution to do better in the future.
Y O U T H A N D S P R IN G - T IM E
In Nature there are many similarities. Perhaps the greatest of these
lies in Youth and Spring-time. In Youth’s golden period all is glori­
ous, everything is fresh and joyous, the breath of life is strong, strength
and vigor are growing day by day, and the great mysteries of life are be­
ginning to attract, bewilder, and enlighten. The future seems to hold
unlimited promise of great things, and this adds to the joys of each suc­
ceeding day. Youth is, or should be, optimistic, for the world and its
beauties and treasures lie just ahead, calling Youth to follow on and on
In some ways the call of the Future to Youth is like that of a Siren—
except that it need not necessarily allure to destruction. But it calls
with a voice of sweetness all its own. Such is Youth, and it was an
All-wise Creator who willed it so.
Spring-time on earth is the time of promise—as in Youth, the harvest
must come later. Spring is full of beauty; all Nature assures us that
ere long old Earth will fulfill those promises which sprouts and buds
foretell. Flowers bud and later burst into full bloom much after the
manner of Youth, making the world brighter and better. How glorious
it is to sense these things! It is a great pleasure, and privilege as well,
to live and see Nature’s work those wonders of Youth and Spring.
How many of us stop to realize the blessings which are ours? We ac­
cept things as they are without stopping to think of the many seeming
miracles which confront us on every hand. The vastness of it a ll-th e
great plan of the Infinite—is bewildering to the human mind, bound up
as it is in limitations. But all of us should feel the affinity of Youth
and Nature, that beautiful period of human life and buds and blossoms.