means of grace; then it must be ours,—we cannot avoid [25]
wielding it if we reflect Him.
Wise sayings and garrulous talk may fall to the ground,
rather than on the ear or heart of the hearer; but a tender
sentiment felt, or a kind word spoken, at the right moment,
is never wasted. Mortal mind presents phases of charac- [30]
ter which need close attention and examination. The
human heart, like a feather bed, needs often to be stirred,
sometimes roughly, and given a variety of turns, else it [1]
grows hard and uncomfortable whereon to repose.