HAVING VISIONS AND BEING VISIONARY.
THERE is a great difference between seeing visions as a young man and being visionary,—as much difference as there is between being child-like and being childish. Being visionary is being filled with baseless fancies, led or misled by mere imaginings that have no sound reasons beneath them, and that can never be realized. Having visions is seeing with the mind’s eye, with the eye of expectation, or of hope, or of faith, beyond one’s present horizon or zenith, seeing that which may be as real as anything which is already within the sweep of unaided sight, having a reasonable basis, even though no superstructure is yet upreared upon it. Being visionary is likely to interfere with practical efficiency in one’s line of business, be he subordinate or principal. Seeing visions may be a help, an incitement, and an inspiration, in one’s practical duties, whatever is his business sphere. A young man who is visionary is not likely to succeed. A young man who is efficient now, and who is likely to rise above his present station, is well-nigh sure to have visions,—and he ought to have them.—Sunday School Times.