979
I hate dependence on another"s will, Which changes with the breath of ev"ry whisper, Just as the sky and weather with the winds: With the winds, as they blow east or west, To make his temper pleasant or unpleasant.
--_Crown._
980
INDEPENDENCE--CHECKED.
If any man can do without the world, it is certain the world can do quite as well without him.
--_Hazlitt._
981
Living to-day on tomorrow"s salary is a sure sign of financial indigestion.
982
Seek not every quality in one individual.
983
That is the best gown that goes most up and down the house.
984
THE INEVITABLE.
I like the man who faces what he must, With steps triumphant and a heart of cheer; Who fights the daily battle without fear; Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering trust That G.o.d is G.o.d, that somehow, true and just, His plans work out for mortals; not a tear Is shed when fortune, which the world holds dear, Falls from his grasp; better with love a crust Than living in dishonor; envies not, Nor loses faith in man; but does his best, Nor murmurs at his humble lot; But with a smile and words of hope, give zest To every toiler. He alone is great Who by a life heroic conquers fate.
--_Sarah K. Bolton._
985
The smiles of infants are said to be the first-fruits of human reason.
--_Hudson._
986
THE NEW-COMER.
The hour arrives, the moment wished and feared, The child is born, by many a pang endeared; And now the mother"s ear has caught his cry; O! grant the cherub to her asking eye!
He comes, she clasps him, to her bosom pressed, He drinks the balm of life, and drops to rest.
She, by her smile, how soon the stranger knows; How soon by his the glad discovery shows!
As to her lips she lifts the lovely boy, What answering looks of sympathy and joy!
He walks--he speaks--in many a broken word, His wants, his wishes, and his griefs are heard; And ever, ever to her lap he flies, Where rosy sleep comes on with sweet surprise, Locked in her arms, his arms across her flung, That name most dear forever on his tongue.
As with soft accents round her neck he clings, And cheek to cheek her lulling song she sings, How blest to feel the beating of his heart, Breathe his sweet breath, and kiss for kiss impart, Watch o"er his slumbers, like the brooding dove, And if she can, exhaust a mother"s love!
--_From Littell"s Living Age._
987
NO ONE SHOULD BE BLAMED FOR HIS INFIRMITIES.
A hound, who in the days of his youth and strength had never yielded to any beast of the forest, encountered in his old age a boar in the chase.
He seized him boldly by the ear, but could not retain his hold because of the decay of his teeth, so that the boar escaped. His master, quickly coming up, fiercely abused the dog. The hound looked up and said: "It was not my fault, master; my spirit was as good as ever, but I could not help mine infirmities. I rather deserve to be praised for what I have been, than to be blamed for what I am."
988
PERSONAL INFLUENCE.
"On a cold winter evening," said Dr. T. L. Cuyler recently, "I made my first call on a rich merchant in New York. As I left the door and the piercing gale swept in, I said:
"What an awful night for the poor?
"He said come back for a moment; and in a very few minutes brought me a roll of bank bills, and said:
"Please hand these for me to the poorest people you know.
"After a few days I wrote him the grateful thanks of the poor whom his bounty had relieved, and added:
"How is it that a man so kind to his fellow creatures has always been so unkind to his Saviour as to refuse him his heart?
"That sentence touched him to the core.
"He sent for me to come and talk to him, and speedily gave himself to Christ. He has been a most useful Christian ever since. But he told me I was the first person who had talked to him about his soul in twenty years. One hour of work did more for that man than the pulpit effort of a life-time."
--_Selected._
989
HIS MOTHER"S INFLUENCE.
It is reported that a young man being examined preparatory to joining the church was asked--"Under whose preaching?" The prompt reply--"I was converted under my mother"s practising." Did any preacher ever utter so powerful a sermon as the young man embodied in those few words?