LAW OF KINDNESS. CHAPTER I. KINDNESS AND REVENGE. Breathe all thy minstrelsy, immortal Harp! POLLOCK'S COURSE OF TIME, Book IX. As like physical causes produce like physical consequences—as vice most assuredly results in misery-so revenge calls forth hate; for water does not more certainly tend to its level, than the exercise of malice and cruelty kindles the fires of anger and opposition in the soul. To small purpose has that individual perused the history of the world, who has not discovered that the common process of eradicating evil, has been to meet it with evil, and who has not seen that the pathway of life has been almost universally lighted by the horrible spirit of retaliation. And to as little purpose has he examined the records of nations and individuals, if he is not convinced that when the law of kindness has been practised, it has been as much more salutary in its influence, and as much more glorious in its results, than those of revenge, as virtue is more salutary and glorious than iniquity. For while retaliation is like the storm which sweeps through the forest in destruction, kindness is like the combined influence of the sun and the rain of the cloud, which germinates seed, and unfolds their leaves, flowers and odors. The spirit of revenge has flooded the world with evil. Millions have been slaughtered, cities have been sacked and burned, nations have been swept from political life, reputations have been ruined, families filled with discord, friends turned into bitter enemies, and all through revenge. If earth has a demon to dread, it is the power of retaliation. There is no clime but that has felt its blight, no soul but that has been more or less tainted by its poison. What has caused man to overwhelm his fellowmen with oppression and blood? What has urged so many nations to slaughter the captives of their power in cold blood? What brings a |