Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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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,

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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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BROCKTONIA , ESTEEIE NKATZ Class Poem Swifter than Time had ever sped before Passed June, and now we were to graduate. Into the world we were to graduate, to shape Our joint possession, Life. that did await. The night had come, all awesome and immense, Our solemn graduation: silent, sat Six hundred Seniors, sad, expectant, tense. And while the master gave a scroll to each, Reading the name of every youth and maid, Strange fear stabbed at my heart: frightened. I turned, And saw that every Senior was afraid. An icy coat of mail encased my heart. Oh God, I whispered, why should this be so? . Why are we not content? Should we not rejoice For what will be: not merely sad to go? Ah. what is coming? We must stand alone. Here, we've been sheltered, guarded: we're so young! What is this Thing called Life? Is it so dread? Then through the hall divine reply was rung. I think it was God's voice: none else could be So sweetly safe. secure, dispelling fear. I raised my head: for, hearing, now I knew His firm assurance. He is always near! Ah, child, like thunder rang the voice: Have heed You are upon a threshold, soon not youth, But world-wise. 'What is Life?' you ask, afraid. Life is God's gift, a wondrous thing: in truth, Most wondrous-Life is Love itself. and growth? Just as the writer out of nothingness.