James Walker was born on this day in 1794 (find a biography here.) Rev. Walker has often appeared in these pages and today I excerpt his sermon "Difficulty, Struggle, Progress" found in the collection, "Sermons Preached in the Chapel of Harvard College""THOU, THEREFORE, ENDURE HARDNESS, AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST" — 2 Timothy ii. 3
Men would be less likely to complain of life as it is, if they knew, or would consider, what are its great objects...
Men would be less likely to complain of life as it is, if they knew, or would consider, what are its great objects...
To guard against this error, we must consider well two important distinctions, which, in the eagerness and distractions of human pursuits, are very apt to be overlooked or neglected. In the first place, though we very properly labor and strive for this object and that, the great end of life does not consist in our obtaining these particular objects, but in the self-improvement realized in the process of obtaining them, or of making the attempt. And, secondly, while happiness is one legitimate object of our existence, progress is another: so that the great end of our being is not answered in our becoming happy as we are; our very capacities of happiness must be enlarged and elevated; and in this way we are to be fitted for a higher life...
Who has yet to learn that education, properly so called, does not consist in putting things into the mind, but, as the name implies, in bringing things out, — in the development of the power and habit of self-activity, self-reliance, and self-government; and to effect this object, the faculties on which these traits of character depend must be stimulated, exercised, and put to the stretch. In this case, though all the information should be lost, the discipline will remain.
Thus it appears that the very difficulties of life, of which we are so apt to complain, are converted into the means of that discipline, that self-culture and self-improvement, which is the great end of life. The particular and immediate objects of our pursuit, which are so apt to engross our attention, such as knowledge and wealth, pleasure and fame, are not ends, but means,—means to the attainment of the one great end of Out being, the development of the latent energies of the soul; and this end they are adapted to promote just in proportion to the difficulty of compassing them ; that is to say, just in proportion to the mental activity they call forth...
Thus it appears that the very difficulties of life, of which we are so apt to complain, are converted into the means of that discipline, that self-culture and self-improvement, which is the great end of life. The particular and immediate objects of our pursuit, which are so apt to engross our attention, such as knowledge and wealth, pleasure and fame, are not ends, but means,—means to the attainment of the one great end of Out being, the development of the latent energies of the soul; and this end they are adapted to promote just in proportion to the difficulty of compassing them ; that is to say, just in proportion to the mental activity they call forth...
Difficulty, struggle, progress, — this, I repeat it, is the law. By this we conquer; by this it is that the spirit gradually obtains ascend ency over the flesh; by this it is that the creatures of earth and dust gradually begin a heaven for themselves here ; by this it is that the slaves of ignorance and fear and sin throw off the spirit of bondage, and aspire to be children of God; " and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him that we may be glorified together."
Blessings
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