Page:Three Thousand Selected Quotations from Brilliant Writers.djvu/320

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312
HEROISM.

The longer men sin, the more easily they can; for every act of transgression weakens conscience, stupefies intellect, hardens hearts, adds force to bad habits, and takes force from good example. And, surely, there is nothing in such associations, as wicked affinities will insure to the sinner in the future state, to incline him to repentance.


The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.

Milton.

HEROISM.

True heroism is alike positive and progressive. It sees in right the duty which should dominate, and in truth the principle which should prevail. And hence it never falters in the faith that always and everywhere sin must be repressed, and righteousness exalted.


Never was there a time, in the history of the world, when moral heroes were more needed. The world waits for such, the providence of God has commanded science to labor and prepare the way for such. For them she is laying her iron tracks, and stretching her wires, and bridging the oceans. But where are they? Who shall breathe into our civil and political relations the breath of a higher life? Who shall touch the eyes of a paganized science, and of a pantheistic philosophy, that they may see God? Who shall consecrate to the glory of God, the triumphs of science? Who shall bear the life-boat to the stranded and perishing nations?


He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.