The three most powerful and most apparent means used by Rome to retain her power over the minds of her votaries are Ignorance, Superstition, and Persecution.
I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, and by a submission of our desires to His will.
Young men, trust God, and make the future bright with blessing. Old men, trust God, and magnify him for all the mercies of the past.
Few men would dare to read their own autobiography if all their deeds were recorded in it; few can look back upon their entire career without a blush.
The astronomer will believe that the most erratic comet will yet accomplish its journey and revisit our sphere; but we give up those for lost who have not wandered one-half the distance from the centre of light and life.
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
