It is well when self-distrust leads to confidence, when, as Charles Wesley has it in his great hymn:
I am weak,
But that is not enough. It is better when self-distrust and confidence in God lead to courage, and as Asa goes on, Help us, for we rely on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this multitude.' Never mind though it is two to one. What does that matter? Prudence and calculation are well enough, but there is a great deal of very rank cowardice and want of faith in Christian people, both in regard to their own lives and in regard to Christian work in the world, which goes masquerading under much too respectable a name, and calls itself judicious caution' and prudence.' There is little ever done by that, especially in the Christian course; and the old motto of one of the French republicans holds good; Dare! dare! always dare!' You have more on your side than you have against you, and creeping prudence of calculation is not the temper in which the battle is won. Dash' is not always precipitate and presumptuous. If we have God with us, let us be bold in fronting the dangers and difficulties that beset us, and be sure that He will help us.
