The Young Lady's Counsellor by Daniel Wise

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THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE UNSEALED. 43
But where is the human friend whose qualities are
such as to inspire you with this essential confidence ?
Alas I he is not to be found; for every other mortal is
like yourself exposed to trouble and danger. If it
were otherwise, — if that venerable parent who has
watched your infancy and youth with so much solicitude,
and in whose love you feel so secure, possessed
the yower to protect you through life,—
you know that
the thread on which his existence hangs is
more frail
than a lute-string. How, then, can you calmly face
your destiny with such a trust ? You cannot do it
You need power, wisdom, love,
sympathy, duration,
m the Being on whom your spirit can repose
in pel
feet serenity. And who is such a friend but Jehovah
? Whose friendship can calm your soul but his ?
What but religious faith can inspire so delightful a
trust ? What is there in the human soul to create
this sense of safety, amidst the unquestionable dangers
by which it is surrounded? Nothing! positively
nothing ! Self-reliance is presumptuous arrogance.
1 o trust in man is to pluck the fruit that grows on
•*
folly's topmost twig." To be without confidence is