HOPE Hope looms higher than a wish. It has more soul in it and better backing behind it. Hope is really the inspiration of life. It is the spring of effort, the backbone of resolution. The hopeless are the helpless. In temporal affairs hope is a float. It buoys a fellow up in trial, cheers him in suffering, and encourages him in trouble. Hope is the chief blessing of man on earth. It gives him vision. It points a straight path. Without it the average life would be a continuous circling around the whirlpool of despair. In spiritual matters hope is an anchor. It touches the Rock. It gives a sense of security. It reaches into that within the veil. It takes hold on eternity. It lifts upward. We are saved by hope. Hope is as various as human temperament, and as diversified as human conditions. It is riches to the poor, solace to the grieving, medicine to the sick, and soothing to the wronged. Let us believe That there is hope for all the hearts that grieve; Drifts to a morning beautiful with light, And that the wrong, Though now it triumphs, wields no scepter long. Throned where the waves of error beat in vain. Hope is a primary trait, and it is contagious too. It is the first to give inspiration, and it is the last thing to expire. It is worth more than millions to the world's workers, and when it dies work will end. Hope is death's polar star. It sees light ahead. It can see across the deepest, coldest, dreariest, darkest river that ever flowed, and can see forms and hear voices in the land beyond. Well may we all entreat with Byron: Be thou the rainbow to the storms of life, The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, CHARITY Charity is love in action, love to man springing from the love of God. Charity is the contrary of resentment and the antidote to indifference. It is a form of love which begets kindly interest. Charity is the most effective builder of heart riches known. No man can be poor who gives much because he loves much. Charity is never lost. Even though the receiver of it be an ingrate, the giver of it has laid up treasure in heaven. Charity never fails. Hope and faith may give way, but the practice of love has its foundation in eternal principles and must ever stand. Charity is our voucher for heaven's joy. Faith is our ticket of entrance, but charity implies the freedom of the city. Charity takes innumerable forms. Alms-giving is but a type, a hint, an inspiration. To put down anger, overcome jealousy, rise above suspicion, ignore faults, cultivate cheeriness, and intensify consideration for others is to become an exponent of charity. Charity is worship and service, too. To do good is an excellent form of praise. To bless many is worth more than intercessions. To show loving kindness is to proclaim the highest law. To relieve woe is to inaugurate heaven. Charity is a passport to world esteem. It is a language universally understood. It is a garment comely in any land. It is a spirit that elicits smiles from all races. In faith and hope the world will disagree, But all mankind's concern is charity; All must be false that thwart this one great end, CONSCIENCE A man's conscience is not his "better half," but his better self. Conscience, what art thou? thou tremendous power! And art within ourselves another self, A master-self, that loves to domineer. Conscience is not only man's bosom friend, but his most faithful friend. It tells him not only to live better, but to be better. It not only administers judgment, but it inflicts punishment. It never punishes as a judge until it has first warned as a witness and friend. It never legislates; it does not make law, but prompts to the doing of right. It turns into cowards those who befoul it, but into invincibles those who keep it clear. It brings joy and peace to those who attend to its remonstrances, and lashes into misery those who violate it. It is the biggest thing a man ever meets until he meets God. Luther said, “I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals-I have within me the great Pope, self." Consider all thy actions and take heed |