Sanders' Union Fourth Reader Part 51

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 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 pa.s.sed away, though not until FAITH, and HOPE, and LOVE had a.s.suaged 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, a.s.suaging 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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.sing event. HOPE, when the sky is dark, and the path th.o.r.n.y, 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 a.s.sure us that "G.o.d is love: and every one that loveth is born of G.o.d." 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 G.o.d the Father and Christ the Elder Brother.

13. Faith, Hope, and Charity! blessed spirits! May they be inmates of every heart! May they a.s.sist 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 G.o.d.

LESSON LXVIII.

TRANSPORT' ED, highly delighted.

THREAT' EN ING, impending.

COR' O NAL, crown; chaplet.

MYR' I AD, innumerable.

LUS' CIOUS, delicious.

LUS TY, strong; vigorous.

WAR' BLING, singing; caroling.

CHURL, sour, surly man.

RE FRESH', cool; make fresh.

LAN' GUID, dull; sluggish.

DROUTH' Y, dry; arid.

SUS TAIN', uphold; support.

UN GRUDG'ING, free-hearted; liberal.

NIG GARD, miser; stingy person.

"NOT TO MYSELF ALONE."

S.W. PARTRIDGE.

1. "_Not to myself alone,_"

The little opening flower transported cries.

"Not to myself alone I bud and bloom; With fragrant breath the breezes I perfume, And gladden all things with my rainbow dyes.

The bee comes sipping, every eventide, His dainty fill; The b.u.t.terfly within my cup doth hide From threatening ill."

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, His home on high."

3. "_Not to myself alone_,"

The heavy-laden bee doth murmuring hum, "Not to myself alone, from flower to flower, I rove the wood, the garden, and the bower, And to the hive at evening weary come; For man, for man, the luscious food I pile With busy care, Content if he repay my ceaseless toil With scanty share."

4. "_Not to myself alone_,"

The soaring bird with l.u.s.ty pinion sings, "Not to myself alone I raise my song; I cheer the drooping with my warbling tongue, And bear the mourner on my viewless wings; I bid the hymnless churl my anthem learn, And G.o.d adore; I call the worldling from his dross to turn, And sing and scar."

5. _"Not to myself alone,"_ The streamlet whispers on its pebbly way, "Not to myself alone I sparkling glide; I scatter health and life on every side, And strew the fields with herb and floweret gay.

I sing unto the common, bleak and bare, My gladsome tune; I sweeten and refresh the languid air In droughty June."

6. _"Not to myself alone:"_-- O man, forget not thou,--earth's honored priest, Its tongue, its soul, its life, its pulse, its heart,-- In earth's great chorus to sustain _thy_ part!

Chiefest of guests at Love's ungrudging feast, Play not the n.i.g.g.ard; spurn thy native clod, And _self_ disown; Live to thy neighbor; live unto thy G.o.d; _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 a.n.a.lYSIS, page 140, Ex. 185 and 187.

LESSON LXIX.

NURS'ING, nourishing; cherishing.

AB HOR', detest; loathe.

RE LI' ED, depended.

FRA TER' NAL, brotherly.

SU PER' NAL, heavenly.

COM BINE', unite; join together.

RE HEARS' AL, recital; repet.i.tion.

BIG' OT RY, blind zeal; prejudice.

SHEATHE, put in a sheath.

U NI VERS AL, general.

CUS TOM, practice; usage.

TAL' ENT, natural ability.

AF FECT'ING, making false show.

IS' O LATE, separate; detach.

THE WORLD WOULD BE THE BETTER FOR IT.

W.H. COBB.

1. If men cared less for wealth and fame, And less for battle-fields and glory,-- If writ in human hearts a name Seemed better than in song and story,-- If men instead of nursing pride, Would learn to hate it and abhor it,-- If more relied On _love_ to guide,-- _The world would be the better for it._

2. If men dealt less in stocks and lands, And more in bonds and deeds fraternal,-- If Love's work had more willing hands To link this world to the supernal,-- If men stored up Love's oil and wine, And on bruised human hearts would pour it,-- If _"yours"_ and _"mine"_ Would once combine,-- _The world would be the letter for it._

3. If more would _act_ the play of Life, And fewer spoil it in rehearsal,-- If Bigotry would sheathe his knife Till Good became more universal,-- If Custom, gray with ages grown, Had fewer blind men to adore it,-- If talent shone In Truth alone,-- _The world would be the better for it._

4. If men were wise in little things, Affecting less in all their dealings,-- If hearts had fewer rusted strings To isolate their kindly feelings,-- If men, when Wrong beats down the Right, Would strike together and restore it,-- If Right made Might In every fight,-- _The world would be the letter for it._

LESSON LXX.