" When we love others we can help
them in all deep and true ways. We can put blessings into their hearts
instead of merely into their hands. We can enter into their very
being, becoming new breath of life to them,--quickening, inspiration,
impulse.
"What is the best a friend can be
To any soul, to you or me?
Not only shelter, comfort, rest--
Inmost refreshment unexpressed;
Not only a beloved guide
To thread life's labyrinth at our side,
Or with love's torch lead on before;
Though these be much, there yet is more.
"The best friend is an atmosphere
Warm with all inspirations dear,
Wherein we breathe the large, free breath
Of life that hath no taint of death.
Our friend is an unconscious part
Of every true beat of our heart;
A strength, a growth, whence we derive
God's health, that keeps the world alive."
There is a touching and very suggestive story of a good woman in
Sweden, who opened a home for crippled and diseased children--children
for whom no one else was ready to care. In due time she received into
her home about twenty of these unfortunate little ones. Among them was
a boy of three years, who was a most frightful and disagreeable object.
He resembled a skeleton. His skin was covered with hideous blotches
and sores. He was always whining and crying. This poor little fellow
gave the good lady more care and trouble than all the others together.
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