Article July 2, 1910 Issue

TIMELY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

FRANK B. HOMANS

To withhold credit for good deeds done is one of the peculiar characteristics of human nature. One must not only conceive a valuable idea, but he must fight to secure its merited position in the world. The greater the ultimate success, the harder he must struggle to make it secure, and in face of the fact that the very ones who oppose it may be those whom it will most benefit. It is the other man's success which is opposed, not the idea itself. Fear that some other star may dim the brillancy of our own light, and a selfish desire to hold back the success of others, are the stumbling-blocks that stand in the way of every pioneer who starts in any direction which may suggest new or improved ideas. When one's success is attained and secure, then all men bow before it and do homage to him who has succeeded.

It is truly said that "nothing succeeds like success." The recognition of good deeds done, which would be so much appreciated by the toiler, and which he has a reasonable excuse for expecting, is too often withheld until after his departure from this earthly scene. The price of the flowers on the grave of many a man would have saved him from dying of hunger or perhaps paid the debt which caused his death. Had the tears shed and the kind words spoken at the bier found expression during the life of the departed, many an otherwise darkened life would have been brightened and many a sad heart made glad, but too often these generous impulses are withheld until it is too late

Christ Jesus, the wisest, purest, and best man that ever lived, was scorned, persecuted, and crucified not because of what he said or did, but from fear that he might succeed and establish some church, religion, or government which would interfere with the interests of the rulers. It was not Jesus, it was the pure thoughts which he presented that men hated. It was not Jesus, but the success of Jesus' doctrines they feared. It was not Jesus, but the Christ-power that they wished to crush out. Judged from a material standpoint they accomplished their object, thereby losing their greatest and best friend. While Jesus failed to receive but slight recognition from the Jews of his age, today his greatness, his wisdom, and his teachings are proclaimed far and wide by all nations; and yet Jesus' works and life were as great and grand and noble nineteen hundred years ago as they are now.

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