Henry Baldwin Hyde; A Biographical Sketch (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1902 Excerpt: ... HINTS AND MAXIMS FROM CIRCULARS TO AGENTS Mr. Hyde's circulars to agents were in the highest sense original, but he never hesitated to utilize the thoughts of others, or to accept assistance from his associates. His aim was not to make new or original assertions, but to impress the truth upon his readers. He iterated and reiterated the same thought in varying language, often quoting the maxim of Samuel Johnson that men need reminding rather than instruction. The following extracts are from circulars to agents. January, 1870 Be very particular about the class of risks presented to the Society. Much of our future success depends upon the faithfulness of our agents in this respect. Agents should not be willing to introduce every applicant who can be hurried through the hands of a medical examiner. They should feel that much of the responsibility rests upon them and act accordingly. February I, 1871 Let the problem be to produce a given result in your agency. Consider all the present means of accomplishing it; go out of the old ruts; think it over deeply; invent new ways; choose the best plan; develop it distinctly; weigh every point; when approved, change your anxious thought to determined action, and press through all discouragement; and if your energy increase in the same ratio that obstacles thicken around you, you will, as a rule, accomplish your purpose. February I, 1871 It may be that you do not think enough--that you are not thoroughly awake. Some men go all through life half asleep; others, until some tremendous event awakens them and they develop their latent energies: and then the world admires and respects what is called their genius. Let us give a name to this awakening and developing power. Call it pressure. Pressure makes those of us who are succ...