Everard Jack Appleton.

From “The Quiet Courage.”

PRESS ON

The spirit that has tamed this continent is the spirit which says, “Press on.”  It appeals, not so much to men in the mass, as to individuals.  There is only one way for mankind to go forward.  Each individual must be determined that, come what will, he will never quail or recede.

  Press on!  Surmount the rocky steps,
    Climb boldly o’er the torrent’s arch;
  He fails alone who feebly creeps,
    He wins who dares the hero’s march. 
  Be thou a hero!  Let thy might
    Tramp on eternal snows its way,
  And through the ebon walls of night
    Hew down a passage unto day.

  Press on!  If once and twice thy feet
    Slip back and stumble, harder try;
  From him who never dreads to meet
    Danger and death they’re sure to fly. 
  To coward ranks the bullet speeds,
    While on their breasts who never quail,
  Gleams, guardian of chivalric deeds,
    Bright courage like a coat of mail.

  Press on!  If Fortune play thee false
    To-day, to-morrow she’ll be true;
  Whom now she sinks she now exalts,
    Taking old gifts and granting new,
  The wisdom of the present hour
    Makes up the follies past and gone;
  To weakness strength succeeds, and power
    From frailty springs!  Press on, press on!

Park Benjamin.

MY CREED

We all have a philosophy of life, whether or not we formulate it.  Does it end in self, or does it include our relations and our duties to our fellows?  General William Booth of the Salvation Army was once asked to send a Christmas greeting to his forces throughout the world.  His life had been spent in unselfish service; over the cable he sent but one word—­OTHERS.

  This is my creed:  To do some good,
    To bear my ills without complaining,
  To press on as a brave man should
    For honors that are worth the gaining;
  To seek no profits where I may,
    By winning them, bring grief to others;
  To do some service day by day
    In helping on my toiling brothers

  This is my creed:  To close my eyes
    To little faults of those around me;
  To strive to be when each day dies
    Some better than the morning found me;
  To ask for no unearned applause,
    To cross no river until I reach it;
  To see the merit of the cause
    Before I follow those who preach it.

  This is my creed:  To try to shun
    The sloughs in which the foolish wallow;
  To lead where I may be the one
    Whom weaker men should choose to follow. 
  To keep my standards always high,
    To find my task and always do it;
  This is my creed—­I wish that I
    Could learn to shape my action to it.