It is the building of character that should be our central aim in all life. Business, school, home, church, reading, pleasure, struggle. work, sorrow, all are but means to the one end. I do not care how much money you men made last year; but let me ask earnestly what mark last year's business made upon your character. The growth of one’s manhood is of infinitely more importance than the growth of one's fortune. Everything we do leaves its impress within, upon our soul. We are building life all the while, whatever we are doing. The work itself may fail, but in the worker's disappointment, amid the failure of his plans, the work on his character goes on. Even in defeats the struggling leaves a recompense within. Giving, though nothing good comes from the gift, blesses the giver.
“In the strength of the endeavour,
In the temper of the giver,
In the loving of the lover,
Lies the hidden recompense.
“In the sowing of the sower,
In the fading of the flower,
In the fleeting of each hour,
Lurks eternal recompense.”