April 26
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeFriday after Third Sunday in Lent
With cheerfulness. Romans 12:8.
A DEVOTIONAL writer of the present day, in answer to the question, "How are we to overcome temptations?" says, "Cheerfulness is the first thing, cheerfulness is the second, and cheerfulness is the third." It is very true. A faint heart never won anything that was worth winning, least of all a spiritual battle; whereas victories have often been won against fearful odds by some news which have raised the spirits of the troops. Lightness and brightness of heart, and an unfailing elasticity of spirit, must characterize the good soldier of Jesus Christ if he is to break his way to the heavenly country through the serried ranks of his spiritual foes.
What makes the calm and healthful mind
Cheerful alike through every kind
Of trial or distress;
That still on every scene doth throw
A light more soft than vernal glow,
By its own evenness?
Is it the flower of early youth,
The flow of innocence and truth,
That shows so sweetly fair?
Oh, no! the lightest heart I've seen
In the breast of an aged sire hath been,
When life was quenching there!
Is it the spring that health doth give
To cheeks where blooming roses live
With mirth and spirit high?
Then why should yonder suffering maid,
Long time on her restless pallet laid,
Bear up so cheerfully?
It is not youth, it is not health,
Nor flow of life, nor ease of wealth,
Can yield such steadfast joy:
A mind self-ruled by Christian laws
Alone hath that from whence it draws
What nothing can alloy.