[ENTHUSIASM: AN ADDRESS TO SCHOOL-GIRLS.]
By ELIZABETH A. S. DAWES, M.A., D.Lit.
"Let a man contend to the uttermost
For his life's prize, be it what it will."
Browning.
"Strive for the truth unto death" (Eccles. iv. 28).
"Ye have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin" (Hebr. xii. 4).
I propose to address to the readers of this magazine a few words on the subject of "enthusiasm in a good cause;" for undoubtedly a lack of hearty, honest enthusiasm, a general "slackness," both in character and conduct, is a sad characteristic of too many of the present-day girls and young women. For this reason, therefore, I have chosen for you three quotations, all of which speak of the duty of enthusiasm in a good cause, or, in other words, of striving with all our might to accomplish our life's purpose, or for the truth, or in the battle against sin.
Now I can imagine someone asking, "Why should we be enthusiastic? What is the good of it?" and to this question I would reply by giving as the three chief reasons: firstly, that nothing great or good can be accomplished without enthusiasm; secondly, enthusiasm in a good cause is one of the chief means of forming and ennobling the character; and thirdly, that it is commanded and commended by Christ.
To prove the truth of my first reason, you need only turn your thoughts to the world's history, and recall to your memory the many enthusiastic workers and fighters—"fanatics," as the world often mockingly calls them—who have striven, often literally unto death, to promote some good cause or establish some truth, and then ask yourselves, "Would they have accomplished what they did if they had been lukewarm, and half-hearted in their work, and daunted by every fresh obstacle that beset their path?" No, they would not; for, as you all know, obstacles there are in plenty, and, as a Greek writer says, "It is only true enthusiasm which can overcome all obstacles; it is not the power, but the will and the desire which are often wanting in us."