"A fire-mist and a planet,
A crystal and a cell,
A jelly-fish and a saurian,
cave where the cave-men dwell;
Then a sense of law and order,
A face upturned from the clod;
Some call it Evolution, And others call it God."
—Reprinted from
The New England Journal.
Foreword
If you had more money than time, more millions than you knew how
to spend, what
would be your pet philanthropy? Libraries? Hospitals? Churches? Homes for the Blind,
Crippled or Aged?
Mine would be "Homes"—but not for the aged or infirm. For young married couples!
I have often thought that, if ever I got into the "Philanthropic Billionaire"
class, I'd like to start an Endowment Fund for helping young married couples over
the rough spots in those first and second years of married life—especially the second
year, when the real troubles come.
Take a boy and a girl and a cozy little nest—add a cunning, healthy baby—and
there's nothing happier on God's green footstool.
But instead of a healthy babe, fill in a fretful, sickly baby—a wan, tired, worn-out
little mother—a worried, dejected, heart-sick father—and there's nothing more pitiful.
A nurse for a month, a few weeks at the shore or mountains, a "lift" on that
heavy Doctor's bill—any one of these things would spell H-E-A-V-E-N to that tiny
family. But do they get it? Not often! And the reason? Because they are not poor
enough for charity. They are not rich enough to afford it themselves. They belong
to that great "Middle Class" which has to bear the burdens of both the poor and
the rich—and take what is left for itself.
It is to them that I should like to dedicate this book. If I cannot endow Libraries
or Colleges for them, perhaps I can point the way to get all good gifts for themselves.
For men and women like them do not need "charity"—nor even sympathy. What they
do need is Inspiration—and Opportunity—the kind of Inspiration that makes a man
go out and create his own Opportunity.
And that, after all, is the greatest good one can do anyone. Few people appreciate
free gifts. They are like the man whom an admiring townsfolk presented with a watch.
He looked it over critically for a minute. Then—"Where's the chain?" he asked.
But a way to win for themselves the full measure of success they've dreamed
of but almost stopped hoping for—that is something every young couple would
welcome with open arms. And it is something that, if I can do it justice, will make
the "Eternal Triangle" as rare as it is today common, for it will enable husband
and wife to work together—not merely for domestic happiness, but for business
success as well.
Robert Collier.
Suggested Further Reading
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The Secret of the Ages, by Robert Collier, [1926].
This text has been reformatted for the web at
Hinduwebsite.com by Jayaram V. This text is not an
exact reproduction of the original edition which was
published in 1925 in seven small volumes. The title
pages, page numbers, contents and index pages of seven
volumes are not included in this electronic version.
Those who are interested in the entire version of the
text may refer the original copy. This text is in the
public domain in the US, but may not be so in some
countries. |
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