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.

 

These all realized their strongest desires. The law is universal. Desire

greatly, and you shall achieve; sacrifice much, and you shall obtain.

 

Stanton Davis Kirkham has beautifully expressed this thought: "You may be