88 THE LIFE OF JAMES D. FORBES. [CHAP. 



object be BO to use the endowments* and temporal advan- 

 tages wherewith Thou hast blessed me, as may most 

 redound to Thy glory, and to my own spiritual and 

 eternal welfare. Take from me all fear of the world's 

 frowns, all elation at its smiles. Enable me to fulfil 

 with integrity the new duties placed before me, to act 

 becomingly in the wider sphere to which Thy good- 

 ness has extended my exertions. Aid me to cultivate 

 Christian charity, to lay aside all feelings of animosity, 

 and to cherish a principle of universal benevolence. I 

 beseech Thee to preserve me from an undue anxiety in 

 temporal matters, to which I am so prone, and to 

 strengthen my faltering confidence in Thee, which I ac- 

 knowledge has been sinfully and ungratefully imperfect. 

 Grant me, I pray, health for the pursuit of my under- 

 takings, yet not a slavish love of life. Grant that I may 

 take a fearless view of my latter end. If I be not so 

 grossly forgetful of the uncertainty of life, let me not 

 mistake the very fault of too much thoughtfulness of the 

 morrow for the saving conviction of the thought of a 

 last judgment. Teach me not merely to number my 

 days, "but so tp number them that I may apply my 

 heart unto wisdom." Further all my good resolutions, 

 however imperfect, and give effect to the weakness which, 

 unassisted, would render them unavailing. This, and all 

 I ask is through the merits of Jesus Christ. Amen/ 



Our senses are impressed when we see high and 

 energetic character in men, and we say that nature has 

 made them vigorous or persistent or conscientious. 

 We say so, and in part truly. But there is another and 

 deeper side which we do not see. The inward struggles, 

 the self-scrutiny of motives, the self-dedication, the 

 casting of self back on a higher strength, these are things 

 hidden from all eyes. Only when, as here, some secret 

 record long after comes to light, do we get a glimpse of 

 the inner springs whence that strength was fed, whose 

 outward results men saw for a time, and approved. 



