Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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BROCKTONIA I7 HELEN F, McKENNEY Class Essayist Class Essay CONFIDENCE Everyone who watches an aero- plane maneuvering in space marvels at the skill and daring of the pilot, for today no one calls fliers fools. In truth, the rapid progress which has been made in the field of aviation de- mands the world's respect. To the pioneer airmen who have charted the sky trails around the world cred- it for this new faith in the air is due. These men suffered hardships pa- tiently, because they had confidence in themselves to perfect the aero- plane, confidence in mankind to rec- ognize the benefits of aviation, and --most important of all-conHd- ence in God to carry them safely through their high adventure, We. too, are pilots, each of his own life's plane. To guide this plane through the treacherous air pockets of life, we, like those gallant heroes of the air, must believe in ourselves, in mankind, and in God. The necessity for securing self- conlidence cannot be over-estimated, since without faith in ourselves we are like an aeroplane that lacks a pro- peller. Certainly we cannot expect to soar above others if we do not be- lieve in our own competence! But what of the time when we face fail- ure-utter defeat of all our plan- ning? We shall find that nothing is more destructive of self-confidence than failure. Nevertheless, there is no other time in our lives when we need more faith in ourselves than at this crisis. Even the failure itself may be more easily remedied than the impairment of self-confidence. We can avoid this risk of losing faith in ourselves by remembering that a few failures do not spell com- plete ruin. From our reading here in school, we can recall many exam- ples of self-confidence which. not- withstanding repeated failure, en- abled men to achieve success. Those of us who have enjoyed Richard Harding Davis's sparkling story, Gallagher , may be surprised to

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16 BROCKTONIA been deprived of the educational ad- vantages which we are so fortunate in possessing. In both these cases, the relationship should be stimulat- ing and inspirational. It is likely. however, that most of us will desire comrades who are neither illiterates nor pedants, but rather those who recognize and appreciate the value of knowledge. Again. shall we select our com- panions by the standard of influ- ence? Truly, influence is a powerful magnet. Such authority which might further advance the realization of our ambitions frequently offers a most tempting friendship. Never- theless, while considering this issue. let us realize that a friendship based purely upon it will necessarily be fleeting. We will admit, however. the potency of influence which I be- lieve should be regarded as a com- ponent part of friendship, not its foundation. As Emerson once said, We should seek our friends not sacredly, but with an adulteration passion which would appropriate him to our- selves. Lasting friendship must be a compromise. That is, real com- radeship should have mutual bene- Hts. We do not desire a prospective friend to undergo a complete altera- tion of his habits and inclinations: nor does he wish for a like surrender on our part. Our friend should be one who furnishes entertainment without requiring us to stoop, or to cquivocate, or to mask the real self. In spite of all that we may say regarding the choice of friends, the finest, truest type of friendship is quite involuntary: in fact, it is the by-product of co-operative endeav- or. The essence of friendship is entireness, a total magnanimity and trust. In conclusion, these two funda- mental problems. choosing a life work wisely and selecting friends prudently, are indeed closely inter- woven. May we realize the pro- digious importance of both, and that the forming of friendships without preparation for a career would be an iv unsound basis for living. while even the greatest success in a career void of friendships would be but hollow mockery. Lawrence M. Nelson, '29. THE DISCOVERY SCIENCE NOW SEEKS Science is delving deep into the realms of the unknown, seeking to provide for the public a benefit so far not known to mankind. The solution of this mystery will be of great pleasure to the skeptical populace, who, now in comparative agony, hopefully await the day when termination shall greet their trials. The man of the house, who rises cheerfully at the sound of his Big Ben , and who, still cheerful, takes his morning bath, gleeful in that he realizes his one source of happiness, his cake of Ivory will ever greet him from the top, rather than the bot- tom, of the tub, leaves for work cursing inwardly at the established impossibility of the one thing that would make his life complete. Mrs. Van Dalwinkle leaves her home one bright spring afternoon confident that the bridge lunch at the Country Club will be a huge suc- cess. She returns as the sun is slow- ly sinking in the west, her head drooping, the realization burning hot within her that the afternoon a total failure. And for reason! has been only one Dinner parties, tea parties, almost all kinds of parties are ruined only because-I But why should one fret and be so unhappy because of a thing proved, throughout the that has ages, inevitable? So goes the world! Fussing and fuming, all society impatiently lives For the day when science shall pro- claim before the awe-stricken mass, Here is the article which makes democracy safe! Here is the reliant, the ever-ready! Here is the grapefruit without the squirt! ' Frances Hale, '29.

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I8 BROCKTONIA learn that this manuscript was not accepted immediately. On the con- trary, Davis's masterpiece was re- jected by several editors and revised many times before it was finally published in Scribner's Magazine. Yet Gallagher marked Davis as a successful writer of fiction. The his- tory of the World reveals many other instances of famous men who re- fused to allow previous failures to deter them from the success of which they were capable. But in our effort to secure self- confidence we should guard against self-complacency. There is. after all, a vast difference between faith in ourselves and satisfaction with our- selves. Self-coniidence is the foun- dation for magnificent achievement. but self-complacency is the death of creative work. More specifically. the life of Louis Pasteur is an excel- lent illustration of self-confidence unmarred by any trace of self-adula- tion. ln spite of the scepticism of his colleagues, Pasteur persevered in his experiments with inoculation, until today he is acknowledged as the scientist whose discoveries with regard to disease are of greater value than those of all the medical acade- mies in the world. Yet we need only look about us to observe many individuals who are allowing self- complacency to kill any impulse they may have towards aiding humanity and improving their own condition. Let us. therefore, forget foolish van- ity, and strive for a justifiable faith in ourselves. When we have gained this desir- able confidence in ourselves, it does not follow, unfortunately, that we shall have equal confidence in other people. Nevertheless, belief in hu- manity is essential to the preserva- tion of a well-balanced life. The pessimist, with restricted outlook. lacks that incentive to action which only faith can give. lf we could, in fact, believe in those about us as simply as the Bishop trusted Jean Valjean, the criminal from the gal- leys, we, as well as mankind, should reap the reward. For confidence, like the quality of mercy, Ublesseth him that gives and him that takes. There is. however, one precaution which we should observe, and that is not to believe so unreservedly in our friends that we shall approach idolatry. Since everyone is human and subject to error, we are likely to be disillusioned: for unscrupulous persons may use our confidence in them to their own advantage. Thus we encounter the difficulty of know- ing whom we may trust. Obvious- ly, we shall discover no infallib'c zn- dex of trustworthiness. It is, in fact, only by experience that we may gain worthy friendships. Probably many of us have al- ready realized that self-confidence and trust in others is of no avail without faith in a Supreme Power. Too often we hear that the younger generation believes faith in this Power is futile, and that modern youth is replacing God and religion by science and belief in material things. Some of us, unquestion- ably, pay undue attention to lux- uries and indulgences. and neglect the spiritual side of living. Yet the experience of man has shown that occasions arise when neither trust in our own resources nor the support of our friends will uphold us. ln such crises we must rely upon the power of God. Now whether we recognize it or not. we are all confirmed believers: otherwise, we should not continue to live! However loudly we main- tain that we are doubters, by every deed we prove that we believe in life We all hope to reach some goal and, consequently, we plan for the future. Everyone of us who makes plans for tomorrow testifies unconsciously to his faith in life, his faith in God. Unbelief? There is no unbelief: Whoever says beneath the sky. 'Be patient. heart: light breaketh by and by.' Trusts the Most High. He'en F. Mclienney,