There is a greater demand for a skilled and wise leader now than ever
before, and in preparing for that leadership, let each man of the race
look to himself as a possible aspirant and successor to the present
leaders. The very thought of such a possibility, based upon the
necessity for such leadership, is an inspiration, an incentive to
action, and a motive to take advantage of the opportunities. The path
has been cleared and you can not lose your course.
Let us revert to the question: “Who are the coming men?” Who will take
the places of the men now leading the race, when they have done their
work, fulfilled their mission loaded with honors and fame? They can not
go on forever, for they are human and must yield to the inevitable.
Perhaps you are one of the possible leaders to reach honor and fame. Why
not? Many a man living in apparent obscurity has suddenly come forth out
of his retirement at the call of demand following opportunity. This is
life and the natural progress of the world. You are living under
auspicious circumstances, surrounded by events that must cause you to
think, and know just what is required to advance along the lines of
human betterment.
Every man thinks he knows just what he would do under certain
circumstances if he had the opportunity, and that he has the power to do
it. Very well, here are the opportunities, and if you develop your
natural ability and capacity and take hold with a firm hand, you will
attain the power. It is characteristic among all men, an attribute of
modern affairs, that to obtain anything an effort must be made to get
it. Everybody knows this by experience. It has been the experience of
all men, and of all nations. A man must reach out and take what is
before him within his reach. A wise man never attempts to try to take
what is beyond his reach. Children do that, but a modern man is no
child. There is an old maxim which says: “A bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush.” Wherefore, take the bird in hand and hold on to it,
and you will get the two in the bush by and by.