Turkish Bonds, May Kendall.
AUGUST 26
"What state of mind can be so blest,
As love that warms the gentle brest;
Two souls in one; the same desire
To grant the bliss, and to require?
If in this heaven a hell we find,
'Tis all from thee,
O Jealousie!
Thou tyrant, tyrant of the mind.
"All other ills, tho' sharp they prove,
Serve to refine a perfect love;
In absence, or unkind disdain
Sweet hope relieves the lover's pain;
But O! no cure but death we find
To sett us free
From Jealousie,
Thou tyrant, tyrant of the mind.
"False in thy glass all objects are,
Some set too near, and some too far:
Thou art the fire of endless might,
The fire that burns and gives no light.
All torments of the damned, we find
In only thee,
O Jealousie;
Thou tyrant, tyrant of the mind."
Dryden.
AUGUST 27
"We should get a lesson in friendship's ministry. Too many wait until those they love are dead, and then bring their alabaster boxes of affection and break them. They keep silent about their love when words would mean so much, would give such cheer, encouragement, and hope, and then, when the friend lies in the coffin, their lips are unsealed and speak out their glowing tribute on ears that heed not the laggard praise. Many persons go through life, struggling bravely with difficulty, temptation, and hardship, carrying burdens too heavy for them, pouring out their love in unselfish serving of others, and yet are scarcely ever cheered by a word of approval or commendation, or by delicate tenderness of friendship; then, when they lie silent in death, a whole circle of admiring friends gathers to do them honour. Every one remembers a personal kindness received, a favour shown, some help given, and speaks of it in grateful words. Letters full of appreciation, commendation, and gratitude are written to sorrowing friends. Flowers are sent and piled about the coffin, enough to have strewn every hard path of the long years of struggle. How surprised some good men and women would be, after lives with scarcely a word of affection to cheer their hearts, were they to awake suddenly in the midst of their friends, a few hours after their death, and hear the testimonies that are falling from every tongue, the appreciation, the grateful words of love, the rememberings of kindness! They had never dreamed in life that they had so many friends, that so many had thought well of them, that they were helpful to so many."
Personal Friendships of Jesus, J. R. Miller.