Article October 31, 1903 Issue

A Timely Lesson

F. M.

Henry Ward Beecher used to give the following incident of how his teacher in mathematics taught him to depend on himself.

All unconscious of the life within, Beecher was a timid fellow at the age of twelve, doubtless the result, in part, of a strict New England training, added to the severity of school discipline, which was then supposed to be a necessity in developing the future man. Some hard problems were required on this occasion, and Henry was sent to the blackboard where, trembling and uncertain, he failed.

"That lesson must be learned," said his teacher quietly, but with great intensity. "I don't want any reason for failure; I simply want the lesson." All excuses and explanations were disallowed.

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