Given sufficient determination, we can accomplish what set out to do.
The mountain ridges tower up to the sky,
And seem all human labor to defy,
But when the people wish to take a ride,
And see their neighbors on the other side,
Through rocks they dig: the train pursues its way,
And through the mountain rolls without delay
We see here a towering cliff belonging to a mountainous range which rises like a wall, or barrier, between the neighboring portions of the same country. The inhabitants desire very much to have a free communication with each other, but there is a mountain barrier which it is extremely difficult to get over, or around; they, therefore, determine to go through it. The human will brings to its aid the powerful elements of fire and water. Gunpowder and the steam engine work wonders — they force a way through the solid rock. The iron railway is made, and the traveler, instead of toiling through long tedious hours over a mountain pathway, in a few moments, while in an easy chair, finds himself on the other side.
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It is related of a certain gentleman, living in England, that at one period of his life he was reduced to the greatest extremities. He had, by a course of dissipation, spent all his patrimonial estate and had not a penny at his disposal. As he was looking at the paternal mansion in which he was born, he was seized with an earnest desire and determination to become again its possessor. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” He determined upon a course of getting and saving all he got to the utmost of his power. The first job that came in his way was that of carrying some coal into a celler, for which he obtained a sixpence. He soon found other jobs, and by a diligent attention to his business, he increased his means of getting larger sums. He at length became rich, and succeeded in purchasing the whole estate left by his father, with many additions. His case, among many others, afford a striking illustration of the truth of the proverb.
The human will is stronger and swifter than the winds, for it defies its power; it is swifter, for it can send its mandates with lightning speed. It is mightier than mountains, for they cannot stop the operation of its power. It was the will of the ancient Romans that the world should be brought under their power. It was accomplished, in spite of the stupendous obstacles to be overcome. Their motto was, “We find a road, at make one.” “I can’t” never did any thing yet, “I’ll try,” has accomplished great things, but “I will” has worked miracles. By it poor men have become rich, ignorant men, learned, and mean men, honorable.