It is to those of us who hope and trust in God, a truly delightful thought, that he can make not only the marked and memorable events of life conduce to our salvation and redound to his glory; but the small trials, the petty vexations, the insignificant provocations and perplexities. Filial confidence in the providence of God is essential to happiness in a world like ours, full of mystery and change. And a Christian’s cheerfulness depends very much on the objects of his habitual contemplation. If a man look, first and foremost, at the number, force, malice, and subtlety of his enemies, the various difficulties in the way of his ultimate salvation, he may well be despondent. But let him look at the perfections, promises, and providence of God, at the person and work and grace of the Redeemer, at the steadfastness of the covenant and the fulness of the Spirit, and he may well hope and rejoice. The strength of the everlasting Jehovah is mine, because I can lay hold of it by faith and prayer. — Joseph M. Atkinson, The True Path: or, The Young Man Invited to the Saviour (1860), pp. 257-258