The Art of Manliness - Manvotionals - Brett McKay [52]
Since writing the above we have got to within 11 miles of our depot with one hot meal and two days cold food and we should have got through but have been held for four days by a frightful storm – I think the best chance has gone. We have decided not to kill ourselves but to fight it to the last for that depot but in the fighting there is a painless end so don’t worry.
I have written letters on odd pages of this book – will you manage to get them sent? You see I am anxious for you and the boy’s future – make the boy interested in natural history if you can, it is better than games – they encourage it at some schools – I know you will keep him out in the open air – try and make him believe in a God, it is comforting.
Oh my dear my dear what dreams I have had of his future and yet oh my girl I know you will face it stoically – your portrait and the boy’s will be found in my breast and the one in the little red Morocco case given by Lady Baxter – There is a piece of the Union flag I put up at the South Pole in my private kit bag together with Amundsen’s black flag and other trifles – give a small piece of the Union flag to the King and a small piece to Queen Alexandra and keep the rest a poor trophy for you!
What lots and lots I could tell you of this journey. How much better it has been than lounging in too great comfort at home – what tales you would have for the boy but oh what a price to pay – to forfeit the sight of your dear dear face – Dear you will be good to the old mother. I write her a little line in this book. Also keep in with Ettie and the others – oh but you’ll put on a strong face for the world – only don’t be too proud to accept help for the boys sake – he ought to have a fine career and do something in the world. I haven’t time to write to Sir Clements – tell him I thought much of him and never regretted him putting me in command of the Discovery. – Give messages of farewell to Lady Baxter and Lady Sandhurst keep friends with them for both are dear women & to also both the Reginald Smiths
“Stand firm and immovable as an anvil when it is beaten upon.” —Saint Ignatius
The Man With the Iron Will
FROM BALLADS OF THE HEARTHSTONE, 1901
By Henry H. Johnson
Give me the man with an iron will
And a purpose firm and strong;—
Who dares to stand by the right until
He has crushed to death the wrong;
Who treads where the path of duty leads,
Though the way be blocked by foes;—
Whose heart and hand a good cause speeds,
No matter who oppose.
Give me the man with an iron will,
Who knows no such word as fail;
Who will, if need, his heart’s blood spill
To make the good prevail;
Who guards the right with his strong arm,
And dares to stand ’gainst might;
Who shields the poor and weak from harm,
And does right because ’tis right.
Give me the man with an iron will
And a heart as true as gold;—
Whose God-given mission he will fulfill,
Who cannot be bought nor sold.
Give me the man whom no power can bend
From a purpose grand and high;—
Whose all, for a righteous cause will spend,
For a righteous cause will die.
Let No Feeling of Discouragement
Prey Upon You
A LETTER FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO GEORGE LATHAM, 1860
Abraham Lincoln wrote the following letter to George Latham, who was a close friend of Lincoln’s son Robert. Both young men hoped to attend Harvard. Robert passed the entrance exams; George did not. George’s father had died several years before, and Lincoln wrote to George with paternal concern and as a man who knew something about perseverance.