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 reunion 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 the 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. The little opening flower transported cries, 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; 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, 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. AF FECT ING, making false show. THE WORLD WOULD BE THE BETTER FOR IT. 1. IF men cared less for wealth and fame, 2. If men dealt less in stocks and lands, And more in bonds and deeds fraternal,- If men stored up Love's oil and wine, And on bruised human hearts would pour it,- Would once combine, The world would be the better for it. 3. If more would act the play of Life, In Truth alone, The world would be the better for it. |