Life's competitions are fierce; its rivalries are keen; its frictions sometimes grind men's very souls well nigh to death.

It is hard to live sweetly amid the irritations that touch continually at most tender points.

It is hard to live lovingly and charitably when they see so much inequity and wrong, and sometimes must themselves endure men's uncharity and injustice.

It is hard to toil and never rest, earning even then scarce enough to feed and clothe those who are dependent on them for care.

It is hard to meet temptation's fierce assaults, and keep themselves pure, unspotted from the world, ready for heaven any hour the Lord may come.
It is no wonder that men are sometimes discouraged and lose heart.
They are like those weary disciples that spring morning on the Sea of Galilee, after they had toiled all night and had taken nothing.