Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/124

 Christ presseth  us"  (2  Cor.  v.  14),  for  then only  will  you  be  able  to  speak  of  victory. Without  love  no  victory  whatever  can  be achieved,  and  on  no  domain.  We  learn  this from  sacred  and  profane  history,  from  the history  of  the  world,  from  the  history  of  each individual  man.  Love,  as  generally  understood, conquers  in  good  as  well  as  in  evil.

What, for  instance,  inspired  and  animated many a  patriot  to  march  fearlessly  to  battle, and to  perform  those  immortal  deeds  of heroism  which  are  read  of  in  the  pages  of history? It was  love,  love  of  their  native land.

What induced  Napoleon  the  Great  to  give himself no  rest,  but  to  drive  his  triumphal chariot through  all  the  countries  of  Europe? It was  love,  the  love of  fame.

What Induces  the  miser to  resist  the  most powerful of  all  instincts,  the  desire  for  food and drink,  and  literally  to  starve  himself  to death,  with  a  chest  full  of  gold  in  his  possession? It is  love,  the  love  of  money.

3. What  leads  an  invalid  to  conquer  Tea? and anguish,  and  to  submit  to  a  most  painful and dangerous  operation? It is  love,  the love of  his  own  life,  which  makes  him  risk everything.

What causes  a  mother  so  often  to  give  up her  own  ease  and  comfort,  and  sacrifice  money, time, sleep,  health,  and  everything  she  can call her  own,  for  the  sake  of  a  sick  child? It is  love,  her  great  love  for  her  offspring.