The Measure of Success
By John M. Hopkins
A SUCCESSFUL life—what constitutes it? With some it is the acquisition of wealth, with others it is position and fame, with others it is pleasure. Wealth, if properly used, is desirable. Position, if in the discharge of legitimate duty, is also right. Pleasure of a proper kind and to a proper degree, is also highly beneficial as a recreation—a rest from toil and weariness. But the unlawful use of either or all of these is harmful. One may be in possession of them all and live many years, and still his life may be, viewed from the correct standard, a wretched failure. Wealth will not always bring happiness, but when used to bless the world, it is a means to success. But there have been thousands who were in possession of almost unlimited wealth; there are many who number their gold by the millions of dollars, yet whose lives are most unhappy, whose homes are places of strife, dissatisfaction, and unrest. Position is often fraught with danger, anxiety, criticism. Fame is a bubble,—exalted to-day, debased to-morrow. With even the most exalted, it can last only a few years at the longest. Of pleasure one becomes surfeited. It does not long satisfy. But we repeat that wealth, and position, and fame,—a good reputation,—and pure pleasure,—all are desirable if rightly possessed and employed. All are gifts of heaven to be used for the blessing of the receiver and the world. What, then, is the measure of success? What constitutes a successful life. First, it is being inwardly a true man, a true woman. It is to be in possession of, and controlled by, a principle of righteousness and purity. It is to have a pure, clean heart, an honest, honorable aim and motive. It is to have, as the foundation stone of character, a high sense of honor and truth. It is to have an unyielding purpose to adhere to the right under every condition and circumstance in life, to firmly stand for principle even through the darkest hour, through the strongest temptation. And not this alone, not only to resist evil, but to press forward manfully, in the discharge of duty; and it matters not what one's station in life may be. The humble toiler, the woman or the man pressed by poverty, by trials, yet firmly seeking to go forward in the discharge of duty, however humble or menial it may be,—such is a successful life. Such is the true measure of success. To be possessed of a spirit of gentleness, of kindness, of sympathy and love, of helpfulness, to scatter sunshine and blessing all along life's journey,—this is success. Were each one to endeavor to bring a ray of joy and happiness into the life of some fellow creature every day, even if only by a kind word, a helpful deed, a cheerful smile, what an amount of good would be done during a life of threescore years. Such a life would be like a stream of light and blessing. It would be indeed a successful life in this world, and such a life, if actuated by the Spirit of Christ, would run parallel with the life of God. Glorious life! How may we attain unto it. The secret is, Christ in the soul. Such was his holy, blessed life. No sin stained his character, no wrong deed ever disturbed his peace. Love ruled in his heart, and moved by this, ‘he went about doing good,’ everywhere blessing humanity. And though he died upon the cruel cross, even his death was a victory over sin, a victory for principle and right, a noble triumph. What the world might look upon as a defeat, might be indeed a splendid victory for the Christian. Even the loss of friends, of home, of life, for principles’ sake, would triumph, in vindication of righteousness. Eternity alone can tell the grand story of battles fought and victories won for principle. Scattered all over the earth are those whose lives are a glorious success. Unknown in the halls of fame, their names never appearing in the annals of earth’s great ones, are men and women, noble in character, true as steel to right, principle, and duty. God sees them, he knows just where you live, my brother, my sister. Though isolated from all who are dear to you, all alone in trying to obey God’s Word, perhaps bearing reproach, be of good courage, my brother; your name is written in heaven. That record is imperishable; and the life you are now living is but the stepping-stone to the glorious life in the kingdom of God. This is the true measure of success.