The desire to spare one's energies is natural to man. To gain
wealth with the least expenditure of energy is said to be the chief
economic motive. Most men are by nature lazy. This law of inertia
applies not only in the physical world, but also in the
intellectual, moral and spiritual fields. The great majority of
men follow the line of least resistance. In politics and morals
they accept the standards of their associates. Unconsciously they
join the great army of the drifters, or followers, who preserve the
traditions of the past, but contribute little to the future
progress of the race. To deliver man from the control of his
natural inertia he must be touched by some strong compelling power.
Ambition is one great force that enables most men to overcome this
inertia. The influences, therefore, which kindle ambition are
among the most important which enter the life of man.
In the Orient the mother stands in especially close relation to the
son. How far was Jacob's desire to surpass his brother inspired by
his mother? Many of the world's greatest leaders trace the impulse
which has led them to achieve directly to their parents and
especially to their mothers. The mother of Charles and John Wesley
is but one of the many mothers to whom the human race owes an
inestimable debt. Of all the heritages which parents can leave
their children none is greater than a worthy ambition. Sometimes
it is the personality of a great teacher which inspires the
youthful ambition and directs it in lines of worthy achievement.
How much of England's greatness may be traced to the quiet
influence of Arnold of Rugby! Consider the unparalleled influence
of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle--all primarily teachers.
The true pastor with the spirit of a prophet is often able to guide
those with whom he comes into intimate contact to great fields of
service. In encouraging Sophia Smith to found Smith College that
quiet New England pastor, the Reverend John M. Greene, won a high
place among those in America who first appreciated the importance
of education of woman. Equally great opportunities may lie before
every pastor and teacher and citizen. Frequently it is the contact
through literature or in life with men or women who have done
heroic deeds or have won success in the face of great obstacles
that kindles the youthful ambition and stirs the latent motives
which in turn develop strong and noble characters. Therein lies
the perennial value of the Biblical narratives.
For many men that which arouses their ambitions is the call of a
great opportunity or responsibility. Note the change in General
Grant's life with the outbreak of the Civil War. The unambitious
tanner becomes the untiring, rigid, unconquerable soldier.
Striking illustrations of this fact are many men, whose character,
as well as conduct after they have been called to positions of
political or judicial trust, is in marked contrast to their
previous record. A corrupt lawyer has sometimes become an upright
judge. The pride of office, the traditions of the bench have
sustained him. It is the privilege and duty of each man, by
thoughtful deliberation and study to shape and develop his own
individual ambitions that they may conform to the highest ideals
and thus guide him to the noblest and most worthy achievement. Of
what value to a man is biography in forming his ambitions? Mention
some biographies that you consider of the greatest help. In what
ways are the life and teachings of Jesus of practical service in
developing the ambitions of a man to-day?
_Questions for Further Consideration_.
Is it possible for a man without ambition to develop or to achieve
anything really significant?
In your judgment, what percentage of the men in your community
really think out and carefully plan their lives? What proportion
drift or take the way shown them by others?
Some people consider mental or moral inertia the chief force that
sustains the corrupt political boss. Is this true?
What proportion of the voters in your voting district actually
study and appreciate the issues in each election?
What proportion of church members drift into their church
membership, and what proportion join only after a careful study of
the relative merits of the different churches?
What are the chief ambitions that stir men to action?
What was Jesus' ambition? Paul's? Florence Nightingale's?
Abraham Lincoln's? Peter Cooper's? Garibaldi's? Dwight L.
Moody's? Was there a common element in the ambition of each of
these leaders of men?
Is the realization of the ambition to serve one's fellow-men
limited to those who possess unique powers or opportunities?
_Subjects for Further Study_.
(1) The Law of Inheritance among the Early Semites. Hastings,
_Diet. Bib_. II, 470-473; Kent, _Student's O. T_., III; Johns,
_Bab. and Assyr. Laws, Contracts and Letters_, 161-167.
(2) The Arameans. Hastings, _Dict. Bible_ I, 138-139; _Encyc.
Bib_. I, 276-280; Peters, _Early Heb. Story_, 45-47, 115-116;
133-134; Maspero, _Struggle of the Nations_, 126.
(3) The Psychological Connection between Ambition, Habits,
Character and Public Life. _Prin. of Politics_ Ch. II and III.
James, _Talks to Teachers_ Ch. II.