Persistence

“Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian Science must abide strictly by its rules, heed every statement, and advance from the rudiments laid down. There is nothing difficult nor toilsome in this task, when the way is pointed out; but self-denial, sincerity, Christianity, and persistence alone win the prize, as they usually do in every department of life.” (SH, p. 13)

Author Orison Swett Marden on General Ulysses S. Grant:

“When Lincoln was asked how Grant impressed him as a general, he replied, ‘The greatest thing about him is cool persistency of purpose. He has the grip of a bulldog; when he once gets his teeth in, nothing can shake him off.’ It was ‘On to Richmond,’ and ‘I shall fight it out on this line if it takes all summer,’ that settled the fate of the Rebellion. . . .”

“Grant never looked backward. Once, after several days of hard fighting without definite result, he called a council of war. One general described the route by which he would retreat, another thought it better to retire by a different road, and general after general told how he would withdraw, or fall back, or seek a more favorable position in the rear. At length all eyes were turned upon Grant, who had been a silent listener for hours. He rose, took a bundle of papers from an inside pocket, handed one to each general, and said: ‘Gentlemen, at dawn you will execute those orders.’ Every paper gave definite directions for an advance, and with the morning sun the army moved forward to victory.

“Astonished at a command to storm an important but strongly defended position, an officer rode back and said: ‘General, if I understand your order aright, it may involve the sacrifice of every man in my command.’ ‘I am glad, sir, that you understand my order aright,’ replied the silent general.

“For thirty days he rained sledge-hammer blows upon Lee in the wilderness, fighting by day, advancing by night. The country shuddered at such unheard-of carnage, and demanded his removal; but ever to his inquiring officers came the cool command, ‘By the left flank, forward,’ while he electrified the nation by the homeward dispatch, ‘I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer.’ When, with the Confederacy at his feet, the storm of vengeance seemed about to burst, his magnanimous words, ‘Let us have peace,’ fell like a benediction upon the hearts of victors and vanquished alike.”