The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-01-19

6u0 signs OF the G1meS ana
scant the prospects of business success,
the true policy is to keep on trying.
Nothing worse can happen to any man
than to sit down, fold his hands, dream
OF his past prosperity, bewail his pres
ent lot, and cor IRE up forbidding pic
lures OF future years. If he persists
In such a course for any considerable
length of time, he is sure to render
himself incapable of using the oppor-
tunities that may hereafter come to
him. Wise employment lends dignity
to human life and strength to human
character. In the case of an old man
there may be some excuse for that
paralysis of effort which is often the
immediate result of a great business
disaster, but not so in the cas- of a
young or middle-aged man. The first
stroke of misfortune naturally tends to
daze him. Let us not blame him if he
seems for a season unable to collect his
faculties and resume his customary en-
terprises. But after he had time to
look about him and to recover his eqU:-
librium, he ought to address himself
again with renewed diligence to all his
tasks.
8. The obligation to act nobly is no
wise impaired by reverses of fortune.
No matter what may come IN the way
of failure, loss, or bankruptcy, charac
ter is a precious possession that is to
be guarded with all care. To the
thoroughly upright man the battle is
never wholly lost. We are aware of
the temptations that are likely to fol
low in the train of financial adversely.
Too many persons, seeking for some
means to escape and recovery, have
not hesitated to compromise their hon
esty, their truthfulness, their general
integrity. Such persons need pity
above all others; for they have parted
company with everything that makes
life worth living. The giving up of
stocks and bonds and houses and lands,
bitter as the experience is, leaves the
manhood still in tact. But when
that is surrendered nothing is left thst
is worth taking into account. Far be
it from any of our readers to resort to
resort to tricks and shifts and mean
dishonesties in order to keep their
property in their own hands. The
straightforward and honest way is the
only one that is at all to be thought
of. These ~utterances, while holding
good of all, are especially applicable to
Christians.
4. A season of temporal adversely is
the best opportunity in the world for
testing the reality of a religious pro
fession. Almost anybody al make a
fair shore when times are good. 1t
takes little strength to float with the
tide. But it is altogether q different
and more difficult thing to staod up
and be q true man and a true Chris
tian in the teeth of tremendous odds.
If you believe in God, you must be-
lieve in Him when the days are dark
as truly as when then they are bright.
The manner in which you deport your
self in the midst of depressing losses
will be a revelation to your inmost
moral and spiritual quality. R9mem-
Der that God means all these things
for good. Whether He actually sends
them or only suffers them to come
makes no difference. He designs by
them to help and bless you. Look
aloft. The heavens are full of hope.
and hold fast your confidence in God.
When the load gets heaviest pray all
the more. SO shall you find strength
and peace.-The Christian Advocate,
Nashville.
How / May Show That Am a Christian.