troublesome guests were busiest in the night season, haunting his
mind with strange pictures of disasters, and with suggestions
touching the arbitrary power of God, whom he feared when the thought
of him was present, but did not love. "Whom He will He setteth up,
and whom He will He casteth down." Doubt and Distrust revived this
warning in his memory, and seeing that it gave his heart a throb of
pain, they set it close to his eyes, so that, for a time, he could
see nothing else. Thus, night after night, these guests troubled his
peace, often driving slumber from his eyelids until the late morning
watches. If there had been in his heart that true faith in God which
believes in him as doing all things well, Doubt and Distrust might
never have gained an entrance. But he had trusted in himself; had
believed himself equal to the task of creating his own
prosperity--had been, in common phrase, the architect of his own
fortunes. And now just as he was pluming himself on success, in
crept Doubt and Distrust with their alarming suggestions, and he was
unable to cast them out.

Affections, whether evil or good, are social in their character, and
obey social laws. They do not like to dwell alone, and therefore
seek congenial friendships. They draw to themselves companions of
like quality, and are not satisfied until they rule a man as to all
the powers of his mind.

In the case of Markland, Envy made room for her twin-sister,
Detraction; Ill-will, Jealousy, Unkindness, and a teeming brood of
their malevolent kindred crowded into his heart, possessing its
chambers, ere a warning reached him of their approach. Is there rest
or peace for a man with such guests in his bosom?