Test of Manhood

Perhaps the past has been a bitter disappointment to you. In looking it over you may feel that you have been plodding along in mediocrity. You may not have succeeded in the particular things you expected in; or you may have lost friends and relatives who were very dear to you. You may have lost your business, and even your home may have been wrenched from you because you could not the mortgage on it, or because of sickness and consequent inability to work. The new year may present a very discouraging outlook to you. Yet, in spite of any or all of these misfortunes, if you refuse to be conquered, victory is awaiting you farther on the road.

This is a test of your manhood: how much is there left in you after you have lost everything outside of yourself? If you lie down now, throw up your hands, and acknowledge yourself worsted, there is not much in you. But if, within heart undaunted and face turned forward, you refuse to give up or to lose faith in yourself, if you scorn to bear a retreat, you will show that the man left in you is bigger than your loss, greater than your cross, and larger than any defeat.