Thus I read the duty of giving encouragement. It is the sunshine most lives need. Childhood, youth, struggling genius, fainting energy, wearied hope, tempted virtue, breaking hearts, – all are waiting for sympathy and cheer. Those who would do good must learn this secret – pastor, teacher, editor, and parent. Disheartening words anywhere are treasonable words. They cause fear, anxiety, and panic, loss of courage, rout, and disaster. There are discouragements enough in most lives already. Let us never add to life’s burdens, but let us rather at every possible opportunity breathe cheer, fresh incitement, new courage. He that lives thus, even in the lowliest walk, will make brightness and song wherever he goes, and will have choral entrance into joy at the end.
This reading was taken from Week-Day Religion
Chapter 17 : The Duty of Encouragement