Two ships pass, each with its sails filled out by the same wind.
The difference in direction is accounted for by the handling of
the rudder and the adjustment of the sails.
What the force of the wind is to the ship, our varying emotions,
passions, ambitions, appetites and aspirations are to us. All of
these constitute the power which may be called HUMAN FORCE.
This power differs in different individuals, as the wind differs
on different days. It may blow from the east or the west or the
north or the south. However it may blow, it can be forced, by
proper steering, to send the ship in any direction desired.
It is harder to beat against the wind, of course, and many men
have hard struggles to steer themselves to a good port in the
face of an adverse start, a hard beginning, or inclinations
difficult to overcome. ----
But in all of us the force exists which can be made to move us in
the right direction--the force within us can be MADE to obey
our will, if the will be strong and the hand on the rudder
steady. This can be proved--for instance:
There is a certain force in human beings called LOVE. This
force leads sometimes, and happily it leads usually, to
domesticity, morality, care of children and lifelong devotion.
Then the force is used properly.
The same human passion leads to murder, suicide, theft, to almost
all forms of crime.
There is another human passion called AMBITION.
This human force of ambition, with a Lincoln's conscience to
guide it, saves a republic.
The same force guided by Benedict Arnold seeks to betray the
nation. ----
Consider yourself a ship launched on the sea of life under
certain conditions--but with the essential condition in your own
control.
The wind may be feeble, you may drift for a while or move very
slowly--move at least in the right direction.
The wind may blow a gale, and you may feel, as so many do, that
you cannot control your emotions and your appetites. But if that
comes show at least as much interest in yourself as a sailor does
in his ship. Take in sail and fight the storm, instead of going
willingly to destruction. ----
Four things puzzled and impressed the wise man that wrote the
nineteenth verse of the thirtieth chapter of Proverbs.
Think to-day about the third of these things:
"The way of a ship in the midst of the sea"
The way of a human being in the midst of life is like that of a
ship on the ocean.
Make up your mind that your own way at least shall be controlled
by the rudder of conscience, and learn from the passing ships a
lesson of use in your own life.