it, and how to retain it are some of the questions that meet us. There are those who are not succeeding, because of undue caution and a lack of trust; because in giving credit they have lacked judgment, or operated with a slack hand, or got into bondage because of fear.
Then there are those who think they cannot trust anybody, that all men are dishonest; and they will trust no one until he has been proved trustworthy. Experience, bringing loss and disillusionment, has been their hard and bitter teacher.
In this world of appearances there are two kinds of trust, a positive and a negative kind. The latter is the trust of the ignorant, and unless there comes understanding, this trust will prove its falseness.
Innocence can trust and be justified, for innocence is divine. Ignorance and innocence are not synonyms, as some suppose; there is no perfect innocence that is not based upon intuitive knowledge. It is when the innocent mind begins to resort to worldly knowledge, that failure follows. Then people's trust in one another becomes a mere looking to the mortal, and their trust in God is trust in a being who is far away, inclined to be partial, and of uncertain character. Presently their faith is tried, and it cannot stand because their knowledge, being of a worldly nature, is according to appearances and has no real foundation.
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