It came to pass we know not when or how; There is an Eye that marks the wars of men, FAITH IN HUMANITY. TUPPER. Confidence in man, even to the worst and meanest, Hath power to overcome his ill, by charitable good. Fling thine unreserving trust even on the conscience of a culprit, Soon wilt thou shame him by thy faith, and he will melt and mend : The nest of thieves will harm thee not, if thou dost bare thee boldly; Boldly, yea and kindly, as relying on their honor : For the hand so stout against aggression, is quite disarmed by charity; And that warm sun will thaw the heart casehardened by long frost. Treat men gently, trust them strongly, if thou wish their weal; Or cautious doubts, and bitter thoughts will tempt the best to foil thee. Believe thee well in sanguine hope, and thou shalt reap the better; But if thou deal with men so ill, thy dealings make them worse. Despair not of some gleams of good still lingering in the darkest, And among vetrans in crime, plead thou as with their children : So astonied at humanities, the bad heart long estranged, Shall even weep to feel himself so little worth thy love: In wholesome sorrow will he bless thee; yea and in that spirit may repent; Thus, wilt thou gain a soul in mercy given to thy faith. THE LAW OF LOVE. FRENCH. Pour forth the oil,-pour boldly forth; It will not fail, until Thou failest vessels to provide, Make channels for the streams of love, But if at anytime thou cease, Will soon be parched and dried. For we must share, if we would keep LOVE OF ALL THINGS. (On reading Wordsworth's Sonnets in defence of Capital Punishment.) LOWELL. The love of all things springs from love of one; And over it with fuller glory flows The sky-like spirit of God; a hope begun In doubt and darkness neath a fairer sun Cometh to fruitage, if it be of Truth; And to the law of meekness, faith and truth, By inward sympathy, shall all be won: This thou shouldst know, who from the painted feature Of shifting Fashion, couldst thy brethren turn THE BALM OF SPEECH. ANONYMOUS. The hum of insects, as they throng The soaring skylark's early song; The nightingale's mellifluous lay; The murmur of the peaceful wave; The soft Æolian lyre, whose notes The church-bell's hallowed tone, that floats Could never make my spirit feel The harmonies of mortal art, And e'en of nature's varied strain, O! may the melody of speech Sing to me, while on earth I rove; And may the last faint tones that reach MERCIFUL TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS. BULFINCH. 66 Go, and sin no more."-JESUS. Benignant Savior! 'twas not thine Oh then, shall we, who own thy name, Or think thy holy law can blame The tear to sin's deep suffering due? May we while human guilt awakes Upon our cheek the indignant glow, Conscious of frailty, may we bend From further sin, or dark dispair And when our own offences weigh Like Jesus, "Go, and sin no more.' |