304 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



EFFORT, ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS. 



BY FLOYD W. BECK, Nazareth, Pa. 

 READ AT HECKTOWN INSTITUTE, NORTHAMPTON CO., JAN. 5, 1901. 



All creation is the result of effort made somewliere, sometime, by 

 somebody. Long ago, thousands of years before the Christ-child 

 lay cradled in a manger, this world which we call ours was created 

 by eifort — effort divine. After its creation, God ordained that from 

 thenceforth to the end of time it should be run by human effort. 

 And how the latter succeeds in running it — sometimes in a gallop — • 

 and then again it will be centuries passing a given point. 



My friends, open wide the annals of the world's history, and on its 

 pages, made sacred by the noblest deeds and holiest sacrifices of 

 ages, you will ever find that where the most was accomplished, the 

 greatest victories gained and highest honors won, there was put forth 

 some grand, some sublime effort. In our struggle for wealth and 

 fame we must never forget that all true greatness, I care not where- 

 ever it be, is gained only by mighty eifort and persevering toil. "Ah," 

 you say, "some men have greatness thrust upon them." Thus it 

 seems, and sometimes may be so; but unless they back it up with 

 strenuous effort and honest toil it will be a curse rather than a bles- 

 sing to them. 



"The heights of great men reached and kept. 



Were not attained by sudden flight; 

 But they, while their companions slept, 



"Were toiling upward in the night." 



Some of you may think that President McKinley who has the honor 

 of being twice elected to the highest office in the gift of the American, 

 people had some of his greatness thrust upon him. Some of you may 

 even feel as if you had a hand in thrusting it there. Well, now, you 

 are badly mistaken. Our President, like all other great men, 

 achieved his greatness. 



Regardless of all the men of eminence whom the past century has 

 produced in this dear "land of the free and the home of the brave," 

 jjcrhaps the grandest figure, the noblest example of mighty effort 

 and unceasing perseverance is Abraham Lincoln. I have often con- 

 templated his life. Have you ever heard of a boy or girl starting out 

 in life surrounded by less auspicious circumstances? Born in a 



