who afflicts in wisdom, and chastens in love. His eye brightened while she spoke, and he looked upward with that trust and submission which he had never before exercised. 6. Then HOPE came, with visions of returning health, when his frame would be strong and his heart buoyant. But when HOPE and FAITH were gone, again his head drooped, and the tear started. Then LovE sat down by the invalid, twining a garland of summer blossoms for his pale brow, and singing sweet melodies which charmed his listening ear. The pain was all gone now; smiles wreathed his pallid lips, and the sick boy laughed as merrily as his more robust companions. 7. The sisters, in their journeyings, entered the abode of poverty. It was a humble dwelling, and yet it looked cheerful, yea, even inviting, when the three graced it with their presence. FAITH shed a FAITH shed a spirit of calm contentment and heavenly trust in those lowly walls; HOPE whispered of the better mansions prepared for the followers of the Lamb; and LOVE, not less exalted than her sisters, threw a charm over the meager fare and scanty attire of the inmates. FAITH taught them to offer the daily prayer in trusting confidence; HOPE pointed beyond this world to joys which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard; while LOVE lessened each burden, and increased each simple pleasure. FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY! ye, indeed, can make a paradise of the humblest home! 8. There was a darkened chamber, with a wan form tossing restlessly upon the couch. Wealth was there; but it could not allay pain, or prolong life. FAITH, noiseless as a spirit form, glided to the sick one's side. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," was her language, as she pointed upward. HOPE fain would have whispered of length of days, but she knew this could not be; so she spoke of life eternal, where there is no more pain. Then LOVE smoothed the pillow, and bathed the fevered brow, pausing not in her tender ministries through the night-watches. When morning dawned, the spirit of the sick man passed away, though not until FAITH, and HOPE, and LOVE had assuaged the anguish of the parting pang. 9. Weeping mourners gathered around the dead. There were tears, for "tears well befit earth's partings;" there was sorrow, for what bitterness is like unto that of the bereaved, when the grave opens to infold the heart's best treasure? Yet FAITH, and HOPE, and LOVE were there, assuaging those tears, and mitigating that sorrow. FAITH, even while her cheeks were wet, exclaimed, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." 10. HOPE's language was, "Not lost, but gone before;" and her eye, having lost none of its brightness, saw with prophetic vision a reünion yet to come. LOVE tenderly wiped away each gathering tear, and gave deeper fervency to the trusting confidence of FAITH, and the inspiring strains of HOPE. And when the sleeper was committed to the dust, these gentle sisters lingered in the lonely house, and by the darkened hearth. 11. Such are FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY,―given by God to lighten human sorrow, and bless the creatures He has made. They have each a mission to fulfill,-different, it is true, and yet they move in harmony. FAITH enables us to submit trustingly to daily trials, viewing a kind Father's hand in each passing event. HOPE, when the sky is dark, and the path thorny, points not only to fairer scenes below, but to that brighter world where there is no night and no sorrow. 12. LOVE lightens every burden, and reflects upon earth a faint radiation of heavenly blessedness, for the Scriptures assure us that "God is love: and every one that loveth is born of God." The time will come when, the purposes of the wise Creator being accomplished, FAITH and HOPE will cease. FAITH will be lost in sight, HOPE in fruition; but LOVE will remain, binding the spirits of the redeemed in blissful communion, and uniting them to God the Father, and Christ the Elder Brother. 13. FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY! blessed spirits! May they be inmates of every heart! May they assist each of us in our peculiar trials, which none can know but ourselves! They will come to us if we seek their presence; but they must be carefully nurtured. Let us cherish them in our bosoms, and they will bless us constantly in our pilgrimage below, and conduct us to the presence of our God. LESSON LXVIII. TRANS PORT ED, highly delighted. CHURL, Sour, surly man. RE FRESH', Cool; make fresh. SUS TAIN', uphold; support. UN GRUDGING, free-hearted; liberal "NOT TO MYSELF ALONE.". 8. W. PATRIIGF. 1. "Not to myself alone," The bee comes sipping, every eventide, The butterfly within my cup doth hide 2. "Not to myself alone," The circling star with honest pride doth boast, "Not to myself alone I rise and set; I write upon night's coronal of jet His power and skill who formed our myriad host; A friendly beacon at heaven's open gate, I gem the sky, That man might ne'er forget, in every fate, 3. "Not to myself alone," The heavy-laden bee doth murmuring hum, Content if he repay my ceaseless toil 4. "Not to myself alone, The soaring bird with lusty pinion sings, "Not to myself alone I raise my song; I cheer the drooping with my warbling tongue, I call the worldling from his dross to turn, 5. "Not to myself alone," The streamlet whispers on its pebbly way, I sweeten and refresh the languid air 6. "Not to myself alone:" O man, forget not thou,-earth's honored priest, Live to thy neighbor; live unto thy God; Not to thyself alone! QUESTIONS.-1. What things are mentioned, that contribute to our comfort and happiness? 2. How does the suffix less, affect the meaning of the words cease, view, hymn, &c.? 3. What is the meaning of the suffixes let and et, in the words streamlet and floweret? See SANDERS & MCELLIGOTT'S ANALYSIS, page 140, Ex. 185 and 187. LESSON LXIX. NURSING, nourishing; cherishing. AB HOR', detest; loathe. RE LI ED, depended. COM BINE, unite; join together. BIG' OT RY, blind zeal; prejudice. |