Which takes the name of right; To battle with the strong, And conquer in the fight, The warrior's wreath, if bathed in blood. Work, then, from day to day, Nor pause for praise or blame; Care not for what men say: Duty is still the same. The rest which all, at times, would crave, "NOT GRUDGINGLY OR OF NECESSITY." The hand that strews the earth with flowers Enriched the marriage-feast with wine; The hand once pierced for sins of ours This morning made the dew-drops shine; Makes rain-clouds palaces of art; Makes ice-drops beauteous as they freeze : The heart that bled to save, - that heart Sends countless gifts each day to please; Spares no minute, refining touch, To paint the flower, to crown the feast; Deeming no sacrifice too much, Has care and leisure for the least; Gives freely of its very best; Not barely what the need may be, But for the joy of making blest: Teach us to love and give like Thee. Not narrowly men's claims to measure, To whose cup can we add a pleasure? Whose path can we make bright with flowers? Author of the Schönberg Cotta Family. I I. THE CUP OF CHARITY. "LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW." W HAT is charity? It is feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, says the liberal alms-giver. What is charity? It is organized beneficence, says the founder of societies and asylums. What is charity? It is a broad philanthropy, says the social and moral reformer. What is charity? It is Love, says the New Testament. And is it not this divine principle, this pure spirit of good will to man, this Christ-mind, which, amid the vexations of a discordant humanity, "suffereth long and is kind, envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things," which alone is entitled to the scriptural appellation of charity? |