The human concept of greatness invariably attaches itself to personality. A man may be termed great because he has built up a great commercial enterprise, or it may be that the exigencies of war have afforded opportunities for him to display great powers of generalship, great courage, or great faithfulness, and he stands out conspicuously because of his achievements. But after all, what is it that is conspicuous in such a case? However mortal mind may value its own classifications, its own naming of things, the fact remains that that which makes a definite impression of greatness is never person but the fundamental qualities of true being which mankind has been compelled to recognize.
That which made George Washington, for instance, "first in war first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." was certainly no mere personal accomplishment or power of leadership acquired through special education or preparatory training, although the general impression of Washington as compared to Lincoln, his only compeer in the affections and history of the people of the United States, is that he had all the advantages which wealth and education could give. Notwithstanding the more or less apocryphal anecdotes of his most popular biographer. Washington was in no way markedly different from other boys of the Virginia colony of his time. His education was elementary, and the "easy circumstances" of his parents would not be considered such to-day. But while still only a youth he evidenced great strength of character, trustworthiness, and clear judgment. As in the case of Lincoln, however, he was educated to greatness by the increasing weight of his responsibilities and the manner in which he met them.
What has really gone down in the annals of history, standing out more and more clearly in perspective, is a record of the qualities of fearlessness, of courage and energy, as well as of clear judgment and poise which, in the case of Washington as in that of every character in history whose achievements have proved to be abiding, resulted from his ability to get himself and his private considerations out of the way sufficiently to enable him to define clearly the issue at stake. These qualities were not peculiar gifts. They are the universal heritage of man. "For God has not given us the spirit of fear," the apostle Paul reminds us, "but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." And since "God is no respecter of persons" it stands to reason that the qualities which made a Washington or Lincoln of American history are available to all. We may personify these qualities in mortal mind's own way and give these personifications names and places as men of the hour in epoch-making events, but the fact remains that today, any one, in any country and under any circumstances, may manifest the fortitude of a David, the courage of a Daniel, the wisdom of a Solomon, the energy of a Paul, and ultimately the dominion of Jesus the Christ.
