Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/811



White Plague—See.

White Robes—See.

"White Slaves"—See.

WHOLE, SEEING THINGS

Our lives should be so organized and ordered as to move on at God's pace so that they will produce a whole effect, a unitary total. Some men live by jerks, showing no conviction between to-day and yesterday.

If a spark or point of flame be rapidly swung around in a circular path it is no longer seen as a spark or point, but as a continuous circle. Drops of falling rain appear to the eye as continuous slanted lines or streams. This is due to the fact that the motion is too rapid to enable the eye to compass the diameter of the rain-drop, or the spark, before it has moved the distance of its diameter to a new position.

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WHOLENESS

A Chicago tailor displays a sign which announces that he makes trousers at "$1.75 per leg." Inquiry reveals the fact that altho he uses a goose he is not foolish enough to furnish trousers with only one leg. One can not get trousers at his shop except their two legs be properly sewed together and one pays $3.50 for them. But the tailor compels editors to read his sign.

This fable teaches that two things even apparently complete when separate ought to be brought together if they are to be made practical.

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WHOLENESS OF CHARACTER

Foster, the distinguished essayist, said to a friend one day, "There is a want of continuity in your social character. You seem broken into fragments." To this plain dealing the gentleman replied good-naturedly, "Well, I sparkle in fragments." "But," rejoined Foster, "how much better to shine whole, like a mirror."

As the glory of gems is realized best when shown in a splendid necklace, so virtues impress most when many are combined in unity in the one character.

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WILFULNESS

Young America in feathers is almost as bumptious and self-assertive and needs almost as much guidance as Young America in flannels and lawns. Tho the parents may be as wise as Solomon, the youngster will be foolish and headstrong; he will call and shout when enemies are near; he will leave the nest before his wings are ready for service, and so place himself at the mercy of cats and other prowlers. As soon as he has even partial use of his wings he will wander into a thousand dangers and draw his devoted parents after him, for they can not desert him, and he will not heed their coaxing. In such cases the distracted parents have been known to attack and beat off their great enemy, the cat, and even to fly at man himself, sometimes with success.—, "The Bird Our Brother."

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Will, Doing God's—See.

WILL OF GOD

The following verses are by John Hay:

Not in dumb resignation, we lift our hands on high; Not like the nerveless fatalist, content to do and die. Our faith springs like the eagle's, who soars to meet the sun, And cries exulting unto thee, "O Lord, Thy will be done."

When tyrant feet are trampling upon the common weal, Thou dost not bid us bend and writhe beneath the iron heel. In thy name we assert our right by sword or tongue or pen, And even the headsman's ax may flash thy message unto men.

Thy will! It bids the weak be strong; it bids the strong be just; No lips to fawn, no hand to beg, no brow to seek the dust. Whenever man oppresses men beneath the liberal sun O Lord, be there! Thine arm made bare, thy righteous will be done. (Text.)

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Will, Our, and God's—See.