Official Organ Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897 BENEVOLENCE
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3 79 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P.O. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76501 VOLUME 62, NUMBER 49 DECEMBER 11, 1974
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Lodge No. 177, Academy dedicates their new building this Sunday, December 15. See letters by Brother Jerry Tomastik and the courtesy ad pertaining to the newest lodge home in our SPJST Society and make plans to do your utmost to be present to help our fellowmembers celebrate their dedication. From the reports we have received it seems that there will be plenty of entertainment and you will certainly have an opportunity to enjoy yourself. In this Vestnik are articles pertaining to the teaching of the Czech language at TJC, written by Brother Calvin Chervenka, and also a short notice informing us that Czech language courses are offered by mail through the University of Texas Correspondence Study Section. Please read these articles for your interest. Without doubt, interest in these Czech language courses throughout the state is at an all-time high, at least for the present modern-day times. With three weeks left in this year, we remind all of our sales representatives that they still have time to "shoot the works" in the personal, lodge, district, and state attempt to reach or surpass their quotas. This is a good time to use the message on our back page and
DON'T GIVE UP Twixt failure and success the point's so fine Men sometimes know not when they touch the line. Just when the pearl was waiting one more plunge, How many a struggler has thrown up the sponge! Then take this honey from the bitterest cup: "There is no failure save in giving up!" get your prospects to see the great wisdom in giving a Lasting Gift .. . a gift that keeps on giving through the years! As the year winds down to its final few days we ask you, upon whose shoulders depends our success, to work just a little harder to make this our best year in insurance production. Growth in membership is important — it is our very lifeline. So often, we are prone to relax our efforts and seek to ease up at, the end of a, year . . . a race . . a game .. . a day, or whatever the struggle may be. That's natural, but we must remember that many a conflict, contest, or goal has been won in the final moments of engagement. Growth brings with it the things we are striving for: respect and satisfaction of achieve-
ment. This does not happen when we became complacent and relax our efforts. This does not happen because we would wish for it. It requires individual effort, the setting of a goal, and, then working toward it with a fierce pride hi achieving it. First, we must realize that our Society has a great capacity for growth. Second, we must see that our Society will not grow unless we work hard at it. If we are to keep our SPJST strong and healthy, it must grow just like a tree with, a solid root of integrity and, character . .. There is still time! Here is a story of persistence to dramatize our point: During the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, the naval engagement was going badly for the English. Admiral Parker, observing the situation was doubtful, ordered his aide to run up a signal flag ordering a cease fire and withdrawal from the battle of the British ships. Lord Nelson, who was in direct charge of the battle, continued to walk the deck of his own ship, ignoring the admiral's signal. When a staff officer called it to his at tention, he raised his telescope to his blind eye and said, "I just can't see that flag. Run up my signal to close in on the enemy immediately " That was the decisive action that removed all doubt about the