Even in the boy who seems all absorbed in amusements or tasks there is frequently a secret life of intensely serious consciousness which keeps questioning with itself as to the meaning of what is going on around him and what may be before him—which projects itself into the future, and rehearses the responsibilities and ambitions of his career. Certainly there is a grave importance as well as a pleasant charm in the beginning of life. There is awe as well as excitement in it, when rightly viewed. The possibilities that lie in it of noble or ignoble work-of happy self-sacrifice or ruinous self-indulgence—the capacities in the right use of which it may rise to hights of beautiful virtue, in the abuse of which it may sink to depths of debasing vice-make the crisis one of fear as well as of hope, of sadness as well as of joy. It is wistful as well as pleasing to think of the young passing year by year into the world, and engaging with its duties, its interests, and temptations. Of the throng that struggle at the gates of entrance, how many reach their anticipated goal? Carry the mind forward a few years, and some have climbed the hills of difficulty and gained the eminence on which they wished to stand-some, although they may not have done this, have yet kept their truth unhurt, their integrity unspoiled; / but others have turned back, or have perished by the way, or fallen in weakness of will, no more to rise again. As we place ourselves with the young at the opening gates of life, and think of the end from the beginning, it is a deep concern more than any thing else that fills us. Words of earnest argument and warning counsel rather than of congratulation rise to our lips. The seriousness outweighs the pleasantness of the prospect. The following pages have sprung out of this feeling. They deal with religion, and especially with the difficulties of Christian faith at present; they venture to touch upon professional business and its responsibilities; they offer some counsels as to study and books. The interests and occupation of the writer have naturally led him to deal with the first of these topics at most length. Faith is the foundation of life; religion of duty; and it is impossible to discuss either without respect to the peculiar atmosphere of doubt in which we live, and in which many of the young live even more consciously than their elders. Yet there is nothing of elaborateness-of learning-or the pretense of learning, in these discussions. They are designed as the free talk of a friend rather than the disquisitions of a theologian. The author has long thought over some of the topics, and he should be glad if his thoughts were useful to any who may be busy with the same inquiries. Plain and unelaborate as they are, they are not likely to interest any but those who have some spirit of inquiry. If to such they should prove at all "Aids to faith," their highest purpose would be served. |