Lansing Central High School - Oracle Yearbook (Lansing, MI)

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them from love and a wish for their improvement. Is it not this which inspires missionaries to leave home and friends for foreign lands to endure privation and loneliness among uncivilized people? Was it not this spirit which gave the Sisters of Charity strength and determination to leave home for a distant and lonely isle in the Pacific ocean to work and live for the lepers there in banishment? The hero is not necessarily one of the world's fortunate beings, but the one who has been through the silent battles. which know the fiercest struggle, and who is ever self-forgetful in the needs of others. seeking the field Where no special greatness breaks the dull tumult of the strife. The self-considerate are not among the heroes. Who would consider the ultra fashionable man or woman who makes amusement and pleas- ure a vocation. a hero? Self-sacrifice is indispensable in the truly heroic and is the foremost element in unseen heroism. Self-sacrifice and unselfishness characterize the highest type of manhoodfand woman- hood. The more a man gives himself to the service of others. the more he forgets selfgthe more noble he becomes. lt is said that in war a soldier is often so devoted to that. in numberless instances. sheer exhaustion he sinks to He who isfaithful and loyal unshaken belief in his cause. and confident even in face of derstands his motive. A cle his cause and love for cou ntry and home wounds received are unnoticed until from the ground and is carried is most deserving. The whether great or small: defeat. He who is truly ar conception of the right from the field. true hero has he stands firm courageous un- gives power to resist the appeal of that which will be detrimental to the life. 'L The bravest battle that ever was fought. Shall I tell you where and when? On the maps of the world you 'll find it not- 'T was fought by the methers of men. What better example can be found of unseen heroism than among the noble, self-denying mothers of our country? Daily toil amidst privation and want to support a family of children. Sacrilices of the necessaries of life to their wants. Such heroic women have brought up famous men. The mention of the mothers of Garfield and Lincoln.

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The Unseen Heroic Song, story and the history of all nations furnish examples of heroic lives. For instance, those of such men and women as Caesar, Napol- eon, Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale and countless others. Their heroism is presented in many different forms fmilitary. political and religious, or in some great service rendered to humanity. Yet, those whom the world applauds are not the greatest heroes. Pages of history reveal the splendor and the beauty of these prominent lives, furnishing inspiration to the youth of today. But not so well known are many glorious lives of self-sacritice, high. noble purpose. and consecrated duty. Without notice or applause they have glided by. receiving no reward except the gratitude and love of those with whom they came in contact, and the self-satisfaction of service well performed. The world could ill spare them, for they touch those of every class, rank and condition with a mild and gentle in- Huence. lf. then, we judge such men and women as the most heroic. what shall be our standard of heroism? In the early centuries the main element of heroism was physical force. A single great achievement made a man a hero. Fortitude and courage on the field of battle or in the face of death were indeed heroic, but the man who was bravest in such circumstances was often the greatest coward from a moral point of view. The hero is not always the one who receives the greatest applause or who has splendid opportunities. lfVhen a wealthy man has endowed a college, built a church. or given money for some good purpose, he is rightly spoken of with honor but cannot be called heroic. Neither would that teacher or mother he a hero, who gives time and thought tu little children wholly from a feeling of duty. Heroism is not in helping fellowmen simply from a sense of duty or in a way which demands no sacrifice. but by linking our lives with theirs and serving

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our martyred presidents. recalls to us lives filled with self-denial and unsellishness. There are noble, self-sacrificing mothers in every part of our land who have helped inestimably to form a high standard of heroism. Imagine a soldier without enthusiasm or anyone who has no deep interest in his workg what is his worth? In order to have the arrow hit the mark there must be a firm, strong tension on the bow. No life has succeeded which does not have enthusiasm back of it to furnish inspiration and give it strength and vigor. A thrilling incident in the great Windsor hotel fire illustrates the combination of those qualities which make a hero ready for an emer- gency. W'arren Guion, in charge of the elevator, persisted in running it until he was taken out by main force, only to rush back and perish at his duty, He had first the desire to serve others, next the courage and perseverance, and finally fidelity to his work. This man was one of the vvorld's unseen heroes, and although such opportunities do not come to all, yet all may possess the characteristics which ennobled him. His were the traits which gave him discretion and readiness to act: although no one would have blamed him if he had first considered self. In the quiet retirement of the home life are frequently developed the qualities which bloom into heroism under the sunshine of destiny. In the service which preserves the unity and harmony of the home is bred the desire to aid in the happiness of others. In this small circle the greatest heroism may thrive and influences Will grow which may stimu- late the whole world. The father and mother who labor daily for the welfare of children in school or college are heroic in their self-denial, and inspire their own characteristics in the child. The student who painfully works his way through school or college, who, though insult- ed, does not retaliate: who, though accustomed to jeers and dislike, can still be gentle and courteous, meeting failure and disappointment with an amiability superior to any of his fellows, is truly noble. In the cities of our country is felt the iniiuence of the unseen hero. The sick are attended, the poor benefited, tenement houses improved, just laws are made, and much done for the improvement of the condi- tion of the people. Such lives are worthy of imitation and are inspira- tion to higher service. lVhen we read of the humble devotion of these lives we are thrilled and there comes a desire to emulate their examples and attain their revvard. Then we stop to consider what their rewards