| The Secrets of a Beautiful Life |
Chapter 4 |
Page 7 |
There is not doubt that there is a work possible to those who have been hurt in sin’s battle and have been lifted up again which they never could have done without the sad experience through which they have passed. John B. Gough never could have pleaded with such burning eloquence for temperance, as he did for so many years, of he had never himself known from experience the terrible bitterness of the curse of strong drink. His own life was marred by the dissipation which marked his earlier years, and which dragged him down into debasement; and he could never win the nobleness and beauty which would have been possible to him if he had never so failed and sinned against himself. But he took his second chance when the first was lost forever, and grew into great strength of character and into abounding usefulness. It is even doubtful if he would ever have made so much of his life, had it not been for the losing of its first chance, and the imperiling of all, which wrought afterward in him as such mighty motives, impelling him to such heroic life and such noble service for his fellow-men.
The lesson is plain. It is for all of us. It is not for one great experience alone, but has its perpetual application; for we are continually missing the things which are the first and the very best in life’s opportunities. It is sad that we do this, and we should rigidly train ourselves to make the most we can of every chance in life that comes to us. But when we have failed, we should not spend a moment in regret; for regret is vain and useless, and only helps to eat away the strength that remains. We should turn instantly and with resistless energy to the saving of what is left. There is always another chance, even down to the life’s latest moment in this world.
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