Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-09-23
TOO MUCH OF OUR FAULTS
Why Should We Increase Their
Power Over Us by Too Con-
slant Dwelling Upon Them?


Carlyle was undoubtedly right when
he made the statement: ION the whole.
we make too much of faults. Faults?
The greatest OF faults, should say. Is
TO have none" A greater than Carlyle
declared that II we deny our sins-and
sins are faults-if we say We have none.
the truth is not In US. Thehlaster con
coded the presence Of grave faults IN
His followers. yet they were powerless
to prevent Him from loving them.
After all did not Carlyle merely voice
the Masters thought expressed in PauIs
Rdmonition TO forget" the things that
disturb our peace, that shadow the Joy
we hunger for? The things that dis
courage US and cause us to feel
ashamed of our record. the depressing
things" we try 10 put out of our minds
and out of our lives but which by long
brooding over We have woven into our
very being so il seems impossible TO for
get. Christ knew, and He gave Paul 70
understand that to be relieved from the
dominion of any fault we must never
consider IL too great 20 be overcome. or
of SO fixed a character that we cannot
put IL from US and forget it ever held
sway over our lives. The human mind
is strangely tenacious. Ii clings to the
things that have impressed it until they
seem 20 leave their impress too deeply
marked ever to be wholly erased.
1t may be that it is because-in spite
Of certain beliefs-the heart naturally
longs for and delights in the higher and
nobler things of life and the failure to
reach them is so disheartening that we
give too much anxious thought to our
Tailings. Strengthening their power by
believing in them and recognizing their
hold upon us
We always expect much from that
which possesses our firm faith. and If it
has power to harm US. our faith i'm that
power takes away our strength TO re-
sist. and soon we are dominated by the
very conditions against which we have
been striving
Make too much Of our faults" Yes.
when we allow them 20 weaken and dis
courage US. when we remember that
20 be human means that we are shot
through and through with tendencies
that invite. II they do not in reality
bring upon us. some stain OF sin. why
should we increase their power over US
by too constant dwelling upon them?
Why grow so disheartened that we lose
our faith. not only I'm ourselves. but in
the Fathers love. and His eagerness to
lift US out OF the depths into which we
have fallen and start us anew on the
right road? To live hopefully. 10 have
faith in the final outcome OF our efforts.
says the Burlington Hawkeye. we must
recognize the fact that we are not alone
In the struggle; Others are finding fl Just
as impossible 20 rid themselves OF their
faults, and II we can have faith for them
why not for ourselves? If we can ex-
cuse them and think IL not impossible
that they should win eventually. why
make so much OF our own failings
that we lose heart and declare Il useless
TO try 10 overcome? Rather. forget
ting the things that are behind" we
should press a little closer TO the Mas
ter's side where He can more readily
reach out and steady us when we STUN
BILE.
Each sin cast away shall make
MY soul more strong 10 soar"