Don't be Discouraged

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1857

Don't be Discouraged

It is a fine remark of Fenelon, “Bear with yourself in correcting faults, as you would with others.” We cannot do all at once. But by constant pruning away of little faults, and cultivating humble virtues, we shall grow toward perfection. This simple rule—not to be discouraged by slow progress, but to persevere, overcoming evil habits one by one, such as sloth, negligence, or bad temper; and adding one excellence after another—“to faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity”—will conduct the slowest Christian at last to high religious attainments.