Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/431



are by space, not subject as they are to material assaults, and not dependent as they are on shelter or on food.—

(1814)

LIFE, SPENDING

A good life is never lost. It yields cumulative results. This rime expresses the truth:

A life spent with a purpose grand Has simply not been "spent"; It's really an investment, and Will yield a large per cent. (Text.)

(1815)

LIFE, THE SIMPLE

Washington loved the simple life of home and countryside, of friend and neighbor, of master and servant. "To make and sell a little flour annually," he wrote, "to repair houses going fast to ruin, to build one for the security of my papers of a public nature, will constitute employment for the few years I have to remain on this terrestrial globe." But he was still ready for the summons of duty, whether it was to put his shoulder to the wheel of a stranger's broken-down carriage on the roadside, to serve on the petty jury of his country, or to accept command of the army preparing to meet the French. Washington would never have identified effective citizenship with prominence. The citizen who was never mentioned in the news-*letters might be quite as great as the general and President. At Ipswich, Mass., on one occasion, Mr. Cleaveland, the minister of the town, was presented to him. As he approached, hat in hand, Washington said, "Put on your hat, parson, and I will shake hands with you." "I can not wear my hat in your presence, general," said the minister, "when I think of what you have done for this country." "You did as much as I," said Washington. "No, no," protested the parson. "Yes," said Washington, "you did what you could, and I have done no more."—, Northwestern Christian Advocate. (1816)   Life, The Whole, the Test of Character—See. LIFE, THE WINGED  The story is told of how the birds received their wings. Created originally without wings, they hopped about, until one day God said to them: "You are beautiful and hop finely and sing sweetly, but I want you to fly. Let me give you wings." At first they refused, saying that wings would be weights. Besides, they liked to hop. But at length they consented to receive wings and flew. (1817)  LIFE, USES OF   In this world we have but brief glimpses of the best and brightest things. Sunset splendors linger but a little while; spring blossoms are scattered by the winds while we watch their unfolding; and autumn leaves soon fade and fall and dissolve into forest mold; the dull landscape glows for a time with supernal splendor, giving us a foretaste of the glory that shall be revealed; the wind passes over it and it is gone. For the leaves there are other and higher uses than to enrobe the branches with autumnal tints. They live and die to serve God in the mysterious economy of life. It is so with human destiny; our noblest achievements seem to perish in a day, but no life of faithful service can be lost in the consummation of God's plan.—The Living Church.

(1818)

LIFE AS AN ART

These verses are from a poem by John Kendrick Bangs in The Century:

He'd never heard of Phidias, He'd never heard of Byron; His tastes were not fastidious, His soul was not aspirin': But he could tell you what the birds were whisp'ring in the trees, And he could find sweet music in the sounding of the seas, And he could joy in wintry snows, And summer's sunny weather, And tell you all the names of those Who frolic in the heather.

He nothing knew of sciences, Of art, or eke of letters; Nor of those strange appliances That fill the world with debtors: But happiness he knew right well; he knew from A to Z The art of filling life with song, and others' souls with glee; And he could joy in day and night, Heart full of pure thanksgiving— I am not sure he was not right In using life for living.

(1819)

LIFE, VALUE OF

There is a suggestive and saddening passage in Miss Ellen Terry's recent "Reminiscences." The great actress was talking