it threatened mental paralysis, which must deprive us of all consciousness of our abundant blessings? if we were certain that it would render us callous to the sufferings of others, if our eyes were once fully opened to half its spiritual perils? Has not adversity better and sweeter uses? Have not the dormant energies of many a mind, which grew weak and sluggish in the Dead Sea calm of prosperity, been electrified into action by the awakening shock of misfortune, the stimulus of sorrow? Has not many a helpless child of luxury risen up transformed by the imperative necessity for exertion, until she marvelled at the unimagined greatness of her own powers? Shall we then deem that perilous amount of prosperity which would stunt our intellects or harden our hearts, a desirable boon? Shall we not rather welcome even adversity, if it open our spirits to all softening and holy influences; if it develop our faculties to their fullest, broadest, highest capacity!
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