"AND WHETHER ONE MEMBER SUFFER, ALL THE MEMBERS SUFFER WITH IT; OR ONE MEMBER BE HONORED, ALL THE MEMBERS REJOICE WITH IT." + T needs no words to express the sweetness of sympathy. A touch, a look, a smile, a tear, nay, even the simple presence of one who loves us, is enough. If we but know that his heart answers to ours in the thrill of love, the ecstasy of joy, or the sharp pang of sorrow, we are satisfied. While the soul sees any chance for assistance, it cries aloud for help; but when, in the exigency of the moment, we know that all help is vain, and sink into the depths of our distress, the consciousness that one is by who has been tempted in all points as we are comforts and holds us. It is like balm to the wounded spirit, the perfume of a fragrant flower, or the chiming of sweet distant bells. The folding of a curtain, the placing of a picture, the gift of a flower, the murmur of a fitting hymn, the read ing of a promise, or, it may be, the mere folding of the hands in absolute quiet, all such unobtrusive attentions, in the hour of new-born joy or sorrow, are more penetrating, more helping, than any words. The servant of the Lord may often find a want which money can not supply, to which the offer of it would be cruel. It is heart-hunger, soul-thirst, he now encounters. The disease is beyond the reach of medical skill. It is a human heart yearning for sympathy; perhaps, in many a case, not knowing what it wants. It may be an aged person to whom is left no one that remembers their brighter days. It may be one with whom the world has gone hard. that weeper who has buried so many joys, and felt such sad changes. It may be a child. Truly it is often a gift as cheap as water that will touch the springs of joy and thankfulness in the sad heart of a child. Give him, give to all, the cup of sympathy in the Master's name. Weep with Kirk. Happy is the man who has that in his soul which acts upon the dejected as April airs upon violet roots. Gifts from the hand are silver and gold; but the heart gives that which neither silver nor gold can buy. To be full of goodness, full of cheerfulness, full of sympathy, full of helpful hope, causes a man to carry blessings of which he is himself as unconscious as a lamp is of its own shining. Such an one moves on human life as stars move on dark seas to bewildered mariners; as the sun wheels, bringing all the seasons with him from the south. Beecher. That is true cultivation which gives us sympathy with every form of human life, and enables us to work most successfully for its advancement. Refinement that carries us away from our fellow-creatures is not God's refinement. Id. 66 'ME, TOO!" We'll seek for flowers in the woods," I heard a mother say; "For in those shady solitudes My children love to play. Oh, childish heart, that could not bear Her name should be forgot! Oh, childish love, that longed to share With all the common lot! Such tone should ne'er be heard in vain, So tremulous and true: A link in that sweet household chain, She claimed her right,—" Me, too!" But not alone in childhood's years The lonely soul, athirst for love, Will cry as infants do; And lift, all other tones above, Formed by one hand, we live and die ; Before one throne we kneel; The longings of humanity Send up one deep appeal. Our nature's tendrils intertwine, Fed by one common dew: None wish in solitude to pine; Each heart-throb says, "Me, too!" God teach us, then, in rank to stand Firm as brave spirits should, Joined heart to heart, and hand to hand, In holy brotherhood; And, casting off the ice of pride, Wear warm hearts, mild and true; Nor from the weakest turn aside, Up many flights of crazy stairs, |