LOYALTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5345, 31 October 1928, Page 3

LOYALTY.

ADDRESS AT ORPHAN S CLUB.

THE.PRESIDENT’S THEME.

At the Paeroa Orphan’s meeting on Thusrday last th© president, Bro. P. Williams, gave the following discourse on “Loyalty” :— “Amongst the earliest lessons learnt in childhood probably the most important is loyalty. Loyalty, first of ;al,l, to ourselves, our ideals, and our beliefs; to our country, qur family, and our friends. When we leave school and take our place in the world of business we learn a I! dw form qf loyalty—the loyalty towards a common ideal: that which binds together many as a whole beca.use of the unity of purpose and the desire to accomplish bigger and’ better things in the. particular work in which we are engaged. “Loyalty to a principal, an ideal, to Flag or King, has carried men fa,r beyond any pinnacle of endeavour which they have ever reached by any ether known sentiment. An unswerving trust to an object worthy of loyalty impels men, and women too, by a great inward urge to an, effort which nothing but this superlative principle could call forth. Loyalty will cause each one of us to endeavour to raise the standard! of our wqrk and thereby improve the whole. “All higher motives, ideals, conceptions, and sentiments in a, man are Of no account if they do not come forward to strengthen him fox* the better discharge of the duties which devolve upon him in. the ordinary affairs of life. Loyalty, therefore, from which all higher motives are inspired, strengthens man and increases the merit of his work. If we are not doing our work better this year than last year it is very certain we have not learnt anything, from, last year’s experience nor yet increased our knowledge.

■ “Loyalty dees not look fqr reward but draws its satisfaction from service. Therefore service characterised by loyalty is no mere service, but a high spiritual endeavour towards quo common, ideal. It is necessarily a quality of the spirit, for a man who may ■ h:a,ve great ability and yet lack loyalty will never become a successful leader of men, because loyalty is a commingling of spirits in enterprise ajid mus.t be called forth in a spiritual sense.

“Loyalty can see reward bestowed where merit has been earned, and still retain a. kindly spirit without grudgjng. This sterling quality is not easily provoked, does not become despondent, never despairs, and is prepared to put the best possible construction on the actions of others. Loyalty never'considers that merited glory will fade because others are receiving praise, but, rather, rejoic.es with them over success achieved. It takes no special talent, bra,ins, or character to go through life grumbling at everything and belittling qur fellow-beings and theix* work. Be generous ; give unstinted praise • and encouragement, and, be ever ready to help others as you jwquldi be helped. After all, co-operation is not sentiment, but a necessity.

“Loyalty is synonymous with conscientiousness. The ability to concentrate on the work at hand, completing each detail with thoroughness, is a trait to be acquired l by us all if we would win success. Ahead of yqur present position lies a greater success, and the measure of that success can only be attained by the hardest kind of hard work. Even then you will fail if you lack loyalty. Every one of us cap, look back and recall individuals whose success 'has Been largely due to loyalty, not only to their superiors, but loyalty to their Work and to themselves. That which marks the difference between the weak and the po.werfiil, the great and the insignificant, is energy, inyincjble determination, a purpose once formed, then Death or Victory.

“Loyalty, then, means success : and the straightest and shortest rqad! to success is merit. Although a man may. bluff his way through for years, in the endi he will fipd that unless his work- possesses merit he. will be a failure.

“We all know the things money can buy; i But w;hat about the things money cannot buy. Never part with yqur ’ideals; for 'they'a,re worth more than jail the wealth in the world — they are wealth. When they are gone, though you may still live, the best part .of >you will be gone. Then,, brother Orphans, let Loyalty ever be your watchword'.” •