Wisdom: Our, Under Differing Circumstances. It is a wise thing to exhibit prudence and hopefulness in their proper degrees and seasons. Some are so exultant at success as to become rash, and thereby secure for themselves a disaster, others are so depressed by a defeat as to be incapable of future action. The old Latin distich is worth quoting.
“Si moth’ vicius eras, ad craslina bela paraz’o; Si modo victor eras, ad crastina bela paveto.”
“If conquer’d, for to-morrow’s fight prepare;. If conqueror, of to-morrow’s fight beware.”
When we are most unsuccessful in our Lord’s work we should rally all our forces for new attempts, hoping that the tide will turn, and believing that to perseverance the crown is certain. On the other hand when the Lord favours us with the largest degree of blessing we must watch with holy anxiety lest by any negligence or sin we should grieve the Holy Spirit and so forfeit all hope of future triumph.