to grovel at the feet of those about you, you
must expect to get stepped on and run over. Above all, cultivate a
habit of being so straightforward and above-board that no one will
ever doubt your sincerity. Don't wear a mask of sincerity when the
real character is less honorable. To do this is to cheat yourself more
than anyone else, for the deception is ofttimes but thinly veiled.

"In his early life, in the year 1844, Lord Beaconsfield, said, in an
address before the Literary and Scientific Institution of London: 'A
man can be what he pleases. Every one of you can be what he desires to
be. I have resolved to hold a certain position, and if I live I will.'
It is not known to what position Benjamin Disraeli referred, but he
attained to the highest position possible to any man in England,
notwithstanding that his status as a Jew was a strong barrier against
his progress. On his deathbed he said, 'Nothing can resist a will
which will stake even existence for its fulfillment.'

"That is determination. Such determination will make any man what he
wants to be. It will enable every one of us to reach his highest
ideal. And may that ideal be to shun the dishonest and seek the honest
life in its every element."

WASHINGTON'S STRENGTH
--Washington's Birthday
--Trust

Through His Great Trials He Remained Steadfast in His Hold on
God.

THE LESSON--That trouble either adds to our spiritual strength or
else casts us down, depending on the stability of our character and
our hold on God.

This illustration, especially useful on the occasion of the birthday
of George Washington, on the 22d of February, is adaptable to the
needs of the younger boys and girls, but its significance may give
hope and strength to the older ones as well.

~~The Talk.~~

"Boys, how many of you ever flew a kite? Well, that's fine! You will
be able, then, to answer the question I am going to ask you. Now,
listen. If the wind is blowing from the west, which way do you run to
make the kite go up? Yes, you run toward the west, right against the
wind. If you run with the wind, the kite won't go up at all, will it?
[Draw the kite as in Fig. 84; black outline, red tail.]

[Illustration: Fig. 84]

"One might think that when a strong wind blew against the kite, it
would be blown away like a piece of loose newspaper; but that isn't
so. And when a gentle breeze increases to a strong, steady wind, the
kite goes higher and higher, PROVIDED it i