Let it not be suspected for one moment that all this is merely a preachment on the question of morals.  It is that, but much more, for it touches the whole man—­his imaginative nature, his ability to control his feelings, the mastery of his thinking faculties, and—­perhaps most largely—­his power to will and to carry his volitions into effective action.

Right thinking constantly assumes that the will sits enthroned to execute the dictates of mind, conscience and heart. Never tolerate for an instant the suggestion that your will is not absolutely efficient. The way to will is to will—­and the very first time you are tempted to break a worthy resolution—­and you will be, you may be certain of that—­make your fight then and there.  You cannot afford to lose that fight.  You must win it—­don’t swerve for an instant, but keep that resolution if it kills you.  It will not, but you must fight just as though life depended on the victory; and indeed your personality may actually lie in the balances!

Your success or failure as a speaker will be determined very largely by your thoughts and your mental attitude.  The present writer had a student of limited education enter one of his classes in public speaking.  He proved to be a very poor speaker; and the instructor could conscientiously do little but point out faults.  However, the young man was warned not to be discouraged.  With sorrow in his voice and the essence of earnestness beaming from his eyes, he replied:  “I will not be discouraged!  I want so badly to know how to speak!” It was warm, human, and from the very heart.  And he did keep on trying—­and developed into a creditable speaker.

There is no power under the stars that can defeat a man with that attitude.  He who down in the deeps of his heart earnestly longs to get facility in speaking, and is willing to make the sacrifices necessary, will reach his goal.  “Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you,” is indeed applicable to those who would acquire speech-power.  You will not realize the prize that you wish for languidly, but the goal that you start out to attain with the spirit of the old guard that dies but never surrenders, you will surely reach.

Your belief in your ability and your willingness to make sacrifices for that belief, are the double index to your future achievements.  Lincoln had a dream of his possibilities as a speaker.  He transmuted that dream into life solely because he walked many miles to borrow books which he read by the log-fire glow at night.  He sacrificed much to realize his vision.  Livingstone had a great faith in his ability to serve the benighted races of Africa.  To actualize that faith he gave up all.  Leaving England for the interior of the Dark Continent he struck the death blow to Europe’s profits from the slave trade.  Joan of Arc had great self-confidence, glorified by an infinite capacity for sacrifice.  She drove the English beyond the Loire, and stood beside Charles while he was crowned.