A Quote by William Ellery Channing on conscience, conviction, depression, duty, force, future, god, goodness, happiness, heart, ideas, energy, mercy, obedience, patience, peace, perfection, preparation, providence, purpose, soul, suffering, temptation, work, world, and path

Soul Gathers Force It is possible, when the future is dim, when our depressed faculties can form no bright ideas of the perfection and happiness of a better world,-it is possible still to cling to the conviction of God's merciful purpose towards His creatures, of His parental goodness even in suffering, still to feel that the path of duty, though trodden with a heavy heart, leads to peace; still to be true to conscience; still to do our work, to resist temptation, to be useful, though with diminished energy, to give up our wills when we cannot rejoice under God's mysterious providence. In this patient, though uncheered obedience, we become prepared for light. The soul gathers force.