we will but center our attention upon them repeatedly and
crowd out the evil tendencies. We are so constituted that we must form
habits. We cannot think or say or feel anything without leaving an
effect which will influence every succeeding thought or action or
feeling. Let us, therefore, look carefully to the forming of our own
habits and to helping others form theirs."

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
--Prayer
--Faith

Although He Died Believing His Mission Had Failed, His Prayer Was
More Than Answered.

THE LESSON--That "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much."

The life of Christopher Columbus contains much to inspire the
present-day youth. In studying it, however, one should always take
into account the prevailing superstitions, darkened by the bigotry of
the times. But above and beyond all this shone the steadfast belief of
Columbus that his every act was directed by God. The talk is suited to
all ages, for the mere mention of the name of Columbus will excite the
interest of young and old.

~~The Talk.~~

"Every one of us knows that Columbus discovered America, but unless we
have studied the life of this wonderful man we do not know of the
great difficulties and hardships he endured before he was able to do
it. We know that Ferdinand and Isabella, rulers of Spain, furnished
him with the ships with which he came to the new land; but we should
also know that for years and years he worked and struggled through
sickening discouragement until he finally succeeded in procuring the
support of the Spanish monarchs. We know that he found a great
continent, and that his name is honored above all others of his time;
but we should also know that he himself never knew that he was the
discoverer of a new land, and that he died a broken-hearted, ridiculed
man whose mission had failed miserably.

"And what was that mission? What was Columbus trying to do when he
discovered America? He was simply trying to find a short way to reach
India. Ferdinand and Isabella provided him with the ships only with
the hope that he would find rich deposits of gold for them in some
strange land. Both missions failed! But God was directing the life of
Columbus. He put into his heart the firm belief that the world is
round, and made him anxious to prove his theory to be true. Finally,
down through years of hardship and discouragement, God brought
Columbus to the age of maturity and wisdom, fully equipped for