Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-08-14
Ml0RAL AMID RELIGil0ws.
DIFFICULTIES.

DIFFICULTIES ore moro easily over.
come than is generally imagined. The
simple resolution to surmount an obsta.
Gle reduces it one.half IL concentrated
the po,oers Of the soul. There is much
exerlion in a retreating army; but il 10
of little avail, for il makes no impression
upon the foe. 1t is spent in taking care
OF the baggage and the wounded, gath.
ering up the slain, destroying property,
lest it should fall into the hands OF the
enemy, preparing the way for escape,
and projecting the rear from attack. Let
that army, however, resolve TO stand its
ground; and though there may be no
more energy expended than there was in
relreating, how different is the result =
Its powers are colectcd--every hand is
placed upon gun-evcry bayonet is
directed against the foe, and every mo.
mcnt works important issues. So, de.
(eated, staggering soul may make efor!
to escape from the disgrace Of defeat
effort 10 rise from beneath the pressure
Of its own humbling roproachcs effort
at planning some new enterprise--but it
is effort wasted.
Resolution brings ercry poaoer to thc
sane point, and moves the whole soul
forward, like Grecian phalanx, each par,
supported and supporting, and every
step making an opening before it. 1t
dissipates imaginary terrors. lmosina.
ton is very busy, but very humble scr.
want Of the soul. She obsequiousIy con.
suits predominant inclination, and paints
to suit its taste. She is never more &C.
tive than when fear sways sceptre over
The inner man. Hence difficulties are al.
ways magni6ed when viewed in the dis.
tance. The inner as we'll as the outer
optics are subject to illusions. When,
upon somo unknown coast, we view,
through the morning fog, the distant cot.
tage, we deem it q castle. Thus the
sluggard, standing at his door, sees o
lion in the way. Though the enemy be
hundred miles Of, the coward sees him
on the next hilltop. He only who says,
"Ican and IwiH," sees difficulties in
their true dimensions. How the terrors
Of The wilderness retreat before The ad'
vancing steps Of the fearless emisrant
O, how | like those words, 81 can and
will !" They are like words Of magic
they put 10 flight the hosts Of phan
toms and hobgoblins which fear con
jures up around US in moments Of hes
itation--they reduce giant enemies to or
d!nary foes--they level the mountains
fill the valleys. and make straight path'
for the feet. Would you be victors, in
scribe them on your banners, and, like
the vision OF Minerva which made
Achilles tremble, they will shake th'
knees of all your enemies.
Ye'mothers, at your cradles teach then
to your children, and bid the first pull
sations OF their little hearts beat music
10 them. These words, 81 will not le
thee 60 except thou bless me-" inspiret
mortal to contend with immortal pow
ers. Fathers, breathe resolution int
your sons; then, though you put then
unharmed, unfriended, and unshod int
this wide world, they will see their wa
to wealth and honor. Launch them o
the stormy ocean-they will exact ric
revenue from its pillows: exile them
The wilderness, and they will press mil
and honey from the rocks.
Resolution inspires SeE-confdence.
Before the Declaration Of lndeper
dence, the Continental Congress acte
, with fear and trembling; but as soon 9
that instrument was adopted, a nobl
sel(.conf dence inspired that gallar
band Of patriots. They found that the
had emerged from that dependence i
which they had been reared and til
t perception spread might and maes
over all their thoughts and actions.
The resolution to pursue the path
duty regardless Of enemies or obstacle
6egetS The conviction that we can pla
reliance on our oacn souls. Under tn
conviction, whatever is done, is don
firmly. Neat to a sense Of the Divi;
presence, there is nothing so invigor
ting to the spirit as the consciousness
o independence. In some respects it is n
proper that we should be independent.
f 1t is wisely ordained that our person
our tongues, our property, should be,
d some extent. under the control OF hum
Il law; but there is one l,lle territory oy
a which God designs that man shou
n sway an exclusive sceptre. That ter
/. tory is his own soul. On this no tyra
dare to rattle his chains-into this
,r monarch can push his bayonets. 1t
a holy inheritance-it is celestial sc
1T is guarded by the cherubic swol
4. He is degrad
to mortal, whomsoever he be, that stops
Ut ask man, or winds, or waves, or mou
IN tains, or storms or lightning whether
ID may do his duty, and weak as he is I
ofl graded. Would you be unembarrasee
ID Have but one wiil-the will Of God.
10 Inquire what duty is, then do it; a
IN though storms may rage around you.
will be calm within. From the couns'
Of your own soul. you will como for
IN as Gabriel from the light, doing nothi
% rashly, nothing doubtfully, nothing f
s. bly,. and before you difficulties will sir
Q, Under manly resistance. difficult
,e progressively diminish. II, when
er set out in life, wo fail, we shall be like
ul to do so throughout our career but
It's we conquer in the first onset, we sh
~. g. H. rowt ood ofn