The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-12-19
RELIGIOUS READING.
STIMULUS OF CONVICTION.

In nine cases out OF ten man OF strong
convictions Is q man OF force. His actions
are prompt, energetic. decisive. persistent
He accomplishes more than the man Of weak
or vacillating convictions, even when the
latter Is physically or mentally bctter
equipped. There seems to be something ir-
resistible and Titanic about q firm believer in
anything. Even the man who believes in
nothing but himself. so he believe honestly
aud ilrmly, Is distant power In whatever
movement he may take part. II is the best
thing In the world for young man or n
young woman TO be so flIled with believe in
any good thing that they cannot, even
for one moment, put 1t out OF their
thought and life. What n wonderful stimu-
lus there is in any abiding conviction 4!
Take, for instance faith in parents. The
child who believes utterly in the goodness
and wisdom Of father and mother IL inevitn-
bly, moved to pattern after them, TO grow
into the same likeness, to become wise and
good in its measure and kind. There is u
constant incentive IN every kind of faith
The man who believes earnestly in n princi-
pie finds that there II an undying impulse
within him to adjust his life. and all life, to
the measure of that principle. ~ believe.
therefore do, Is just as much an automatic
truth ne, III believe, therefore | am"
We have seen young people growing up
who had absolutely no convictions aud in
every instance their characters showed deli
cheney in force. There seemed to be nothing
IN them To overcome the mental and moral
inertia Of an unawakened soul-no cnthusi-
asia, no strong zestful grasp Of life. But on
the other hand, we have seen boys ami girls
who bclivcd in a truth, or u movement or u
science, or man, with all their hearts and
have marked the force, the directness, tho
persistent, definite activity OF these young
lives. They felt. and shndowcd that they
ielt, tho stimulus OF conviction. And the
greater. and deeper, aud stronger.
and more significant the belief, q.
course the more power IL puts into life. Glass
feeling, for instance. is a kind of belief in "a
prevailing social condition. that makes men
strongly and faithfully clanni-h but patriu-
tism l. higher and broader aud noblcr be-
liei IN the solidarity of "a nation, that makes
mcu heroes and martyrs when occasion calls.
The grundest and most potent conviction in
the world is the belief that God Is, aud that
He governs and loves the universe. Whom a
young person IS possessed of strong religious
ihith, the whole life springs into q Kind of
Joyous, triumphant enthusiasm. There Is
an uniaillng source Of inspiration in tho
soul, II glad, outlowing earncs,uc-4 Ia
the heart, that enrich life and make II
fruitful. The young Christian never knows
what II Is TO lack incentive. purpose. directed
energy Every day IS suTu-rd with mrau-
Ing, eloquent with opportunity. The listcS,-
ness which So often curses a life without
faith, has no place ia the life Of the Chris.
tnn. All u joyous activity. grateful earnest
ness, glowing hope. Blessed are they who
In their youth are baptized with the joy of
Gods service They will never lack tho de.
tcrminiug purpose and abundant energy
which alone can make life full. Joyous. tri-
umphant-a victory and song. and a
crown forever and ever.