Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/620



which to deposit them. Gradually the car fills up and all who pass by look wistfully at my seat. If I continue to keep my parcels on it by what arguments can I pretend that it is right?" We bring out together all the half-conscious sophistry that clings like a burr to selfishness. "There may be seats farther on; if they want the seat they can ask for it; it would only crowd any one to sit with me; it is really more comfortable for her to stand. Every one in the class realizes that these excuses are weak subterfuges; for as one girl said, "Such sputtering people deceive themselves."—, "Proceedings of the National Education Association," 1909.

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REBUFFS A STIMULANT

I knew a student paying his way through college who was so poor that the wealthier students made fun of him. They were always guying him about his short trousers, seedy clothes, and general out-at-elbow condition. He was so stung by their jibes that he made a vow not only to redeem himself from ridicule, but to make himself a power in the world.

This young man has had most remarkable success, and he says that the rebuffs he met with and the ridicule that was heaped upon him in his student days have been a perpetual stimulus to his ambition to get on in the world.

A successful business man tells me that every victory he has gained in a long career has been the result of hard fighting, so that now he is actually afraid of an easily won success. He feels that there must be something wrong when anything worth while can be obtained without a struggle. Fighting his way to triumph, overcoming obstacles, gives this man pleasure. Difficulties are a tonic to him. He likes to do hard things because it tests his strength, his overcoming ability, his power. He does not like to do easy things because it does not give one the exhilaration, the joy that is felt after a victorious struggle.—Success.

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Rebuke, Appropriate—See.

Rebuke, Results of—See.

RECALL, THE POWER OF

Many persons are under the impression that a letter once mailed is no longer the property of the sender, but belongs to the person to whom it is addrest. This is an error. Under the postal regulations of the United States and the rulings of the highest courts in the land, a letter does not belong to the addressee until it is delivered to him.

The writer has a right to reclaim and regain possession of it provided he can prove to the satisfaction of the postmaster at the office from which it was sent that he was the writer of it.

Even after the letter has arrived in the office which is its destination and before it has been delivered to the addrest it may be recalled by the writer by telegraph through the mailing office.

It would be a great boon to all of us who speak in haste and repent at leisure if we could as easily recall our spoken messages.

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RECEPTIVENESS

The British Weekly gives a good rule in rime to those who need more openness to good influences and blessings:

Open the door, let in the air; The winds are sweet and the flowers are fair. Joy is abroad in the world to-day; If our door is wide, it may come this way. Open the door!

Open the door, let in the sun; He hath a smile for every one; He hath made of the rain-drops gold and gems; He may change our tears to diadems Open the door!

Open the door of the soul; let in Strong, pure thoughts which shall banish sin. They will grow and bloom with a grace divine, And their fruit shall be sweeter than that of the vine. Open the door!

Open the door to the heart; let in Sympathy sweet for stranger and kin; It will make the halls of the heart so fair That angels may enter unaware. Open the door!

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Art thou a beggar at God's door? Be sure thou gettest a great bowl, for as thy bowl is, so will be thy mess. "According to thy faith," saith He, "be it unto thee."—

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