IS 



communicated to those about us and under our immediate in^ 

 fluence. Let a farmer go into his fields with a walk and mo- 

 tion indicating a decision of purpose, activity of thought, and 

 celerity of action, — his very bearing will communicate an dec* 

 tic shock, and will vitalise the movements of those in his em- 

 ployment. His very cattle will feel its influence, and his work 

 will progress well and rapidly without hurry or bustle. On 

 the other hand, a man, however diligent he may be, who enters 

 upon his work as though he had a life-time to complete 

 the labors of the day, indecisive as to what first requires his 

 attention, uncertain as to what it is best to do ; his whole man- 

 ner, instead of infusing life and activity into those about him, 

 enervates all their actions. And it will not require the second 

 look at night to note the difference in the work accomplished 

 by these two men, although the same hours have been spent 

 by both in labor. But it may be claimed that energy is a 

 natural trait of character, that is exhibited only in the person 

 of a comparatively few individuals ; and what God has not 

 implanted in the heart or brain of man, it is useless to attempt 

 to ingraft for the purpose of growth. Undoubtedly, all men 

 are not born equal ; and the advantage which God in his wis- 

 dom gives to one of his children over another in energy of 

 character, capacity of mind or strength of body, will be main- 

 tained through life if these greater capacities are properly 

 used. But to nearly all God has given some capacity, moral 

 and mental, and where natural power is weak there is the more 

 necessity for nourishing and cultivating that power. "When it 

 will not grow spontaneously, it should receive the care which 

 we give to exotics ; energy is a power which, once rooted, will 

 throw out branches with the luxuriance of a vigorous tree ; 

 it is a trait that may be educated and strengthened, and the 

 more it is cultivated the deeper and broader will be its roots, 

 until at length, instead of requiring care and nursing, it will 

 of itself give breadth and strength to all other mental capaci- 

 ties. By it the resources of the mind become enlarged. The 

 petforraance of arduous labors becomes comparatively easy, and 



