e that nails
him down from ever again doing what he would, or of a loss that makes
his life seem a living death; when the irresistible course of events
leads him past and away from the hopefulness and joy of life; when he
sees that his life is turning out weak and ineffectual, even as the
lives of others,--then he finds he has a more difficult part to play
than when he had to choose his own form of activity and vigorously put
forth the energy that was in him. To suffer without repining, to be laid
aside from the stir and interest of the busy world, to submit when our
life is taken out of our own hands and is being moulded by influences
that pain and grieve us--this is found to test the spirit more than
active duty.

The contrast drawn by our Lord between the youth and age of Peter is
couched in language so general that it throws light on the usual course
of human life and the broad characteristics of human experience. In
youth attachment to Christ will naturally show itself in such gratuitous
and yet most pardonable and even touching exhibitions of love as Peter
here made. There is a girding of oneself to duty and to all manner of
attainment. There is no hesitation, no shivering on the brink, no
weighing of difficulties; but an impulsive and almost headstrong
commital of oneself to duties unthought of by others, an honest surprise
at the laxity of the Church, much brave speaking, and much brave acting
too. Some of us, indeed, taking a hint from our own experience, may
affirm that a good deal we hear about youth being warmer in Christ's
service than maturity is not true, and that it had been a very poor
prospect for ourselves if it had been true; and that with greater truth
it may be said that youthful attachment to Christ is often delusive,
selfish, foolish, and sadly in need of amendment. This may be so.

But however this may be, there can be no doubt that in youth we are free
to choose. Life lies before us like the unhewn block of marble, and we
may fashion it as we please. Circumstances may seem to necessitate our
departing from one line of life and choosing another; but,
notwithstanding, all the possibilities are before us. We may make ours a
high and noble career; life is not as yet spoiled for us, or determined,
while we are young. The youth is free to walk whither he will; he is not
yet irrecoverably pledged to any particular calling; he is not yet
doomed to carry to the grave the marks of certain habits, but ma