been welcomed by the song of the angels, and men were comparatively in the dark. The Saviour's teachings are all opposed to war, and the spirit of war.— Did he not say,-"A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another." And again, " If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight." And, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth; but I say unto you that ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." And does not the apostle James define, clearly, the nature and spirit of war, when he says, " From whence come wars and fighting among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members ?" And are we not commanded to forgive, as we hope to be forgiven? Oh! yes; the New Testament is full of this glorious doctrine. And our Saviour did not intend that his teaching and preaching should be a beautiful theory, that people would look at and admire, but would find it impossible to practice. No! when he bowed his meek head upon the cross, and breathed forth that touching prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," he well knew that only as they imbibed His spirit, would they be enabled to carry out His sublime precepts. HENRY. But how came you to know so much about these things, cousin Frank? Your father died when you were an infant, and aunt Fanny was sick many years, before her death. FRANK. 'Tis true, my father died when I was too young to feel his loss, and my dear mother was always an invalid; but that did not prevent her from sowing the seeds of eternal truth and divine love in my heart. For many months before her departure, I used to sit by her bedside, and the lessons I there received can never be effaced from my memory. She taught me that he alone was the true conqueror, who, when he was illtreated, nobly forgave, and harbored no bitterness in his heart against his short-sighted enemy. "I say unto you, love your enemies, and do good to those who despitefully use and persecute you," stands out in bold relief, and we cannot turn aside from it. HENRY. But do you never get angry with your playmates? And do you not like to have your own way? FRANK. Oh yes, often. And then I am so wretched: for I know that I have sinned against God, and grieved my mother's spirit; for then I can see her pale face, and her tender eyes looking so mournfully upon me, and I feel that she is near me, even as she said she would be. But I gain strength every effort I make to overcome evil with good, and each day I live, I realize more and more that the divine law of love is omnipotent. HENRY. Well, my mother has always told me never to strike first; but when I am struck, to strike back again, till they get enough of it. FRANK. And in so doing, I suppose you have always got enough, before you got through, have you not? HENRY. Oh yes, but I always feel bad and blame myself more than I do the others; but I thought there was no other way. FRANK. Well, Henry, there is a first rate little book I wish you would read, and after you have carefully perused it, if, when you are struck, you give a "Kiss for a Blow," you will sit down happy, even though you may be covered all over with bruises; and you will find that it brings its own reward. And whenever you glory in the prospect of becoming a soldier, just ask your own heart how you would like to have those dearest to you in the world, slaughtered, and made the victims of war; and remember that no being is so isolated, but that some human heart beats for its weal or its wo; and you will find that real heroism does not consist in mere animal courage, but will learn to reverence those who never shed a drop of blood, but who have fought many battles, aye, even the "Battle of Life." Yes; such was Howard, Clarkson, Wilberforce, Wesley, and Elizabeth Fry, and many, many more.They were the truly heroic of their age, and such spirits are the truly heroic of every age. HENRY. Well, cousin Frank, I do feel that what you say is true, and my boyish dream has lost much of its brightness; but I will strive to be a noble warrior, notwithstanding, and war againt the only enemies we must not love, viz: sin, ignorance, narrowness and injustice. POEMS. "De toutes mes facultes la plus puissante est la faculte de souffir. Je suis neè pour le bonheur, mon caractere est confiant, mon imagination est animee; mais la peine excite en moi je ne sais quelle impetuosite que peut troubler ma raison, ou me donner de la mort. Je vous le repete encore, menagez-moi; la gaiete, la mobilite ne me servent qu'en apparence: mais il y a dans mon ame des abimes de tristesse dont je ne pouvais me defendre qu'en me preservent de l'amour. Oh! mes Amis, rapelez vous quelquefois mes vers; mon ame y est empreinte."-CORINNE. TO MY MOTHER. "I miss thee more, each year, mother! I miss thee more to-night, As thoughts of thee rush o'er my soul, with vivid memory's might; The death-bed and the mourning friends, the last farewell and kiss Are present, as if scarce an hour had passed since that and this." Oh! mother, mine! twelve years have fled since thou |