38
Messages to Young People
talents. They may become strong men of firm principle, fitted to be
intrusted with high responsibilities, and to this end they may lawfully
strain every nerve.
But never commit so great a crime as to pervert your God-given
powers to do evil and destroy others. There are gifted men who use
their ability to spread moral ruin and corruption; but all such are sowing
seed that will produce a harvest which they will not be proud to reap.
It is a fearful thing to use God-given abilities in such a way as to
scatter blight and woe instead of blessing in society. It is also a fearful
thing to fold the talent intrusted to us in a napkin, and hide it away in
the world; for this is casting away the crown of life. God claims our
service. There are responsibilities for every one to bear; and we can
fulfill life’s grand mission only when these responsibilities are fully
accepted, and faithfully and conscientiously discharged.
[38]
Influence of Religion
Says the wise man, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy
youth.” But do not for a moment suppose that religion will make you
sad and gloomy and will block up the way to success. The religion
of Christ does not obliterate or even weaken a single faculty. It in no
way incapacitates you for the enjoyment of any real happiness; it is
not designed to lessen your interest in life, or to make you indifferent
to the claims of friends and society. It does not mantle the life in
sackcloth; it is not expressed in deep-drawn sighs and groans. No,
no; those who in everything make God first and last and best, are the
happiest people in the world. Smiles and sunshine are not banished
from their countenance. Religion does not make the receiver coarse
and rough, untidy, and uncourteous; on the contrary, it elevates and
ennobles him, refines his taste, sanctifies his judgment, and fits him
for the society of heavenly angels and for the home that Jesus has gone
to prepare.
Let us never lose sight of the fact that Jesus is a wellspring of
joy. He does not delight in the misery of human beings, but loves to
see them happy. Christians have many sources of happiness at their
command, and they may tell with unerring accuracy what pleasures are
lawful and right. They may enjoy such recreations as will not dissipate
the mind or debase the soul, such as will not disappoint, and leave a