PRIZE ESSAY.
How to be Useful in the World.
There are five heads under which this subject may be placed—Love, Truthfulness, Obedience, Cheerfulness, Peacemakers.
Love. If true love is inspired in our hearts, our chief aim will consist in trying to be a help to others, which is very useful and needful, even in our own homes. The power of love is of such value, that those who know it esteem it as a precious gem set in gold, for without it, our life would be a path of misery and woe—two of the most terrible burdens in the world. Love is the true spring of usefulness.
Truthfulness is always needful. He who is tempted to tell a lie should consider that he may be struck dead while doing so; and then, where will his soul awake? Truth will out, if it be a long while hidden. It will stand like the mountain against the roaring sea—nothing can move it; for with it, is a clear conscience in the sight of God. If truth were spoken more freely and carefully, we should be far happier. Its preciousness cannot be sufficiently prized.
Obedience is often the root of cheerfulness. An obedient child has this motto in view—"Thou, God, seest me." Obedience is useful in preserving us from many dangers, which our elders can often foresee, and which might prove the ruin of our immortal souls if we were to be disobedient. Thus it brings happiness into the homes and hearts of children and parents, and so produces cheerfulness.
Cheerfulness is sure to arise, in due course, from godliness. If we have trials, we should not give way to despair, and make those about us unhappy; but we should try to attend to our work, and look at the brighter side of our troubles, and encourage those whom we often find in greater difficulties than ourselves; at the same time, not forgetting to take our crosses to God. We may cheer many a saddened heart by cheerful words, and sometimes entice the young revenger to forget and forgive.
Peacemakers are thus spoken of—"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. v. 9). Christ teaches us this in His sermon on the mount; and He also set us the example. A little child may be a peacemaker, if it is only to say a word of love, and so stem the rising tempest. In time, it may develop itself more fully, and we may thus honour our holy Master by treading in His footsteps, and proving a help to all who know it, in speaking His truth boldly and sincerely.
For an example of usefulness, we must consider the precious Jesus, and pray for grace to imitate Him in all His ways; then we shall not willingly do wrong, for He is superlatively good.
Margaret Creasey
(Aged 14 years).