The great were young as you,
  Dreaming the very dreams you hold,
  Longing yet fearing to be bold,
  Doubting that they themselves possessed
  The strength and skill for every test,
  Uncertain of the truths they knew,
  Not sure that they could stand to fate
  With all the courage of the great.

  Then came a day when they
  Their first bold venture made,
  Scorning to cry for aid. 
  They dared to stand to fight alone,
  Took up the gauntlet life had thrown,
  Charged full-front to the fray,
  Mastered their fear of self, and then
  Learned that our great men are but men.

  Oh, Youth, go forth and do! 
  You, too, to fame may rise;
  You can be strong and wise. 
  Stand up to life and play the man—­
  You can if you’ll but think you can;
  The great were once as you. 
  You envy them their proud success? 
  ’Twas won with gifts that you possess.

Edgar A. Guest.

SLOGAN

Some men want ideal conditions with pay in advance before they will work.  But the world does not want such men, and has little place for them.

  Don’t prate about what is your right,
  But bare your fists and show your might;
  Life is another man to fight
  Catch as catch can.

  Don’t talk of Life as scurvy Fate,
  Who gave you favors just too late,
  Or Luck who threw you smiles for bait
  Before he ran.

  Don’t whine and wish that you were dead,
  But wrestle for your daily bread,
  And afterward let it be said
  “He was a man.”

Jane M’Lean.

SMILES

Smiles bring out the latent energies within us, as water reveals the bright colors in the stone it flows over.

  Smile a little, smile a little,
    As you go along,
  Not alone when life is pleasant,
    But when things go wrong. 
  Care delights to see you frowning,
    Loves to hear you sigh;
  Turn a smiling face upon her,
    Quick the dame will fly.

  Smile a little, smile a little,
    All along the road;
  Every life must have its burden,
    Every heart its load. 
  Why sit down in gloom and darkness,
    With your grief to sup? 
  As you drink Fate’s bitter tonic
    Smile across the cup.

  Smile upon the troubled pilgrims
    Whom you pass and meet;
  Frowns are thorns, and smiles are blossoms
    Oft for weary feet. 
  Do not make the way seem harder
    By a sullen face,
  Smile a little, smile a little,
    Brighten up the place.

  Smile upon your undone labor;
    Not for one who grieves
  O’er his task, waits wealth or glory;
    He who smiles achieves. 
  Though you meet with loss and sorrow
    In the passing years,
  Smile a little, smile a little,
    Even through your tears.