uty of the world loses
half its charm in the eyes which see all things in the hue of
despondent feeling. Slightest fears become terrors, and smallest
trials grow into great misfortunes. Our heart makes our world for us;
and if the heart be without hope and cheer, the world is always dark.
We find in life just what we have the capacity to find. One who is
color-blind sees no loveliness in nature. One who has no music in his
soul hears no harmonies anywhere. When fear sits regnant on the
throne, life is full of alarms.

On the other hand, if the heart be full of hope, every joy is doubled,
and half of every trouble vanishes. There are sorrows, but they are
comforted. There are bitter cups, but the bitterness is sweetened.
There are heavy burdens, but the songful spirit lightens them. There
are dangers, but cheerful courage robs them of terror. All the world
is brighter when the light of hope shines within.

But we have read only half the story of the fear of Thomas. He saw
only danger in the Master's return to Judea. "The Jews will kill him;
he will go back to certain death," he said. But Thomas would not
forsake Jesus, though he was going straight to martyrdom. "Let us also
go, that we may die with him." Thus, mingled with his fear, was a
noble and heroic love for Jesus. The hopelessness of Thomas as he
thought of Jesus going to Bethany makes his devotion and his cleaving
to him all the braver and nobler. He was sure it was a walk to death,
but he faltered not in his loyalty.

This is a noble spirit in Thomas, which we would do well to emulate.
It is the true soldier spirit. Its devotion to Christ is absolute, and
its following unconditional. It has only one motive,--love; and one
rule,--obedience. It is not influenced by any question of
consequences; but though it be to certain death, it hesitates not.
This is the kind of discipleship which the Master demands. He who
loves father or mother more than him is not worthy of him. He who
hates not his own life cannot be his disciple. A follower of Jesus
must be ready and willing to follow him to his cross. Thomas proved
his friendship for his Master by a noble heroism. It is the highest
test of courage to go forward unfalteringly in the way of duty when one
sees only personal loss and sacrifice as the result. The soldier who
trembles, and whose face whitens from constitutional physical fear, and
who yet marches steadily into the battle, is braver f