Confidence is well placed when it rests upon a proved experience.
A traveler, following his guide amid the Alpine heights, reached
a place where the path was narrowed by a jutting rock on one
side and a terrible precipice on the other. The guide passed
over, and holding on to the rock with one hand, extended the
other over the precipice for the traveler to step upon it and
so pass around the jutting rock. He hesitated, but the guide
said, “That hand has never lost a man.” He stept on the hand and
passed over safely.
(523)
* * * * *
The medical missionary among the Afghans, Dr. T. L. Pennell, on
one of his journeys came to a village across the border late at
night. Many outlaws infested the village, but the chief to whose
care he had entrusted himself took the precaution of putting his
bed in the center of six of his men, fully armed, each of whom
was to keep guard in turn. Dr. Pennell being very tired after
a hard day’s work, soon fell sound asleep. This proved to be
his safety. Some of the fanatical spirits wanted to kill him in
sheer wantonness, but the others said, pointing to his prostrate
form peacefully sleeping, “See, he has trusted himself entirely
to our protection, and because he trusts us he is sleeping so
soundly; therefore no harm must be done to him in our village.”
His confidence disarmed their deadly impulse. (Text.)
(524)
* * * * *
Two men were once standing by a building on which a little boy
had climbed who was afraid to get down. Looking up at him, one
man opened his arms and, with a kind voice, said: “Jump, my
little fellow, and I will catch you.” But the boy shrank back
and would not jump. Then the other man opened his arms and said:
“Come, my boy, jump, and I will catch you.” Instantly the little
face cleared, a smile chased away the tears, and with a rush
he jumped and was safely caught in the outstretched arms. Why
was the boy afraid of one man and willing to trust the other?
Because the first man was a stranger and the second man was his
father. He knew his father would not let him fall.
(525)
* * * * *
A story is told by Colonel William Conant Church, of the _Army and
Navy Journal_, which illustrates how unshaken was the President’s
confidence in Grant’s ability to march the army of the Potomac against
the army of northern Virginia and capture the stronghold of the
rebellion. The incident took place just before Grant established his
headquarters in the field.
When he called upon the Secretary of War, the latter said:
“Well, General, I suppose you have left us enough men to
garrison the forts strongly?”
“No, I can’t do that,” was the General’s quiet reply.
“Why not? Why not?” repeated the nervous Secretary.
“Because I have already sent the men to the front, where they
are needed more than in Washington.”
“That won’t do,” said Stanton. “It’s contrary to my plans. I
will order the men back.”
Grant maintained a quiet determination, and replied:
“I shall need the men there, and you can not order them back.”
“Why not? Why not?” cried the Secretary.
“I believe I rank the Secretary of War in this matter,” remarked
Grant.
“Very well, we will see the President,” sharply responded the
Secretary.
“That’s right; he ranks us both.”
Going to the President, Secretary Stanton, turning to Grant,
said:
“General, state your case.”
But the General calmly replied:
“I have no case to state. I am satisfied as it is.”
When Stanton had given his view of the matter, Lincoln
crossed his legs, leaned back in his chair, and like the wise
philosopher that he was, said:
“Now, Mr. Secretary, you know we have been trying to manage this
army for nearly three years, and you know we haven’t done much
with it. We sent over the mountains and brought Mr. Grant, as
Mrs. Grant calls him, to manage it for us, and now I guess we’d
better let Mr. Grant have his own way.”
The winter of 1863 was a trying time for General Grant. It was a
winter of floods in the South, and a winter of discontent among
the people of the North. He could not move his army, and many
began the old cry after Donelson, “idle, incompetent, and unfit
to command in an emergency,” and again arose a clamor for his
removal. It was a season of false alarm and sensational rumors.
But there were two men in the land from whence came words of
cheer. One was listening quietly in a store in Cincinnati to a
great deal of rambling and grumbling talk about the way General
Grant was trying to take Vicksburg. When all others present had
given vent to their feelings, this man said in a moderate tone:
“I think he’ll take it. Yes, I know he’ll take it. ’Lis’ always
did what he set out to do. ’Lis’ is my boy, and he won’t fail.”
The other man who believed in General Grant was in the White
House. He was too good to be unkind, and too wise and prudent to
err. While men of large political influence were urging General
Grant’s removal for the good of the country, the philosopher
at the White House said: “I rather like the man; I think we’ll
try him a little longer.” By these thirteen words the fate of
Vicksburg was sealed.--Col. NICHOLAS SMITH, “Grant, the
Man of Mystery.”
(526)
* * * * *
When Alexander once was about to engage in battle with Darius,
having completed his arrangements, he lay down to sleep. Next
morning Tarmenio exprest surprize that he could sleep so soundly
when such vast issues were impending. “You seem as calm,” said
he, “as if you had had the battle and gained the victory.” “I
have done so,” replied Alexander, “for I consider the whole work
done when we have gained access to Darius and his forces, and
find him ready to give us battle.” (Text.)
(527)
See ESSENTIALS; VERSATILITY.
=Confidence in His Own Ability=--See VERSATILITY.