The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-04-05

IL restore the dead babe TO Its mother
arms? Will it open the door of heaven
to the soul, or make Immortality blessed
Mo- 1t is a slippery servant to minister
to the wants OF the body, or to raise the
pride, or to pamper the appetites, or
hard master to grind the poor. 1t is any
thing but the sweetest word
She then put her hand again into the
box and drew out paper, on which was
written the word " Honor"
Who claims this ?"
" dc" said fine looking young man,
dressed in splendid military garments
And what is your plea for your ia
vorite word ?" said the Queen.
why, madam, it seems to me too
plain for argument. The child at school
the boy on the playground, the parent
in planning for his child, the scholar in
wasting life over his books, the sailor
risking his life OF the stormy ocean, the
politician in wrestling for position, and
the soldier rushing ups to the lannon's
mouth, all are witnesses that honor is the
word, above all others, that is the sweet
est to the human ear.
" You plead well" said the Queen,
but L cannot agree with you. Honor
is powerful instrument with which to
move men to effort and action. But you
will notice that it appeals to and cultivates
supreme selfshness in the heart, shuts
out domestic affections, tramples on the
most sacred rights of others, seeks its place
through fields of blood, and often fills
nations with wailing. Icannot allow you
the premium, sir.
Again the fair hand of the Queen drew
from the box, and on the paper was writ
ten the word Love"
" Whose may this be?' asked the
Queen, in softened voice.
Mine, madam" said young man,
whose face was glowing with excitement,
while thousand youths around him, and
as many bright-eyed maidens, seemed
ready to shout.
And your reasons, sir p
1t is not a matter of reason, madam,
but it is verdict of the mother over her
babe, of that babe as soon as he can re-
turn her smile, of the child longing for
home, of the widow in her desolation, of
youth seeking the dearest friend the
earth knows, of age leaning upon the
child for support. 1t is sung in the songs
of the birds, echoed in the notes of the
mourning dove, and it thrills in the Ian
guage of every living thing. We have
reason to believe that it reaches the an
gels in heaven"
" A strong plea certainly" said the
Queen 4" but must have time to think
further upon it before decide"
Il j T. II
the word was read amid great silence,
" Jesus
Whose is this?" said the Queen, in a
low, soft tone
wrote it" said sweet little girl,
almost sinking under the eyes that were
turned upon her.
And can you, my child, tell me the
reasons why you think Jesus the sweetest
word in the world?"
" No; [ only feel SO.
Truly, little one, you feel right.
There is no attribute of humanity, no
beauty of character, no greatness in our
idea, nothing exalted, refined, gentle,
loving, or good, which is not found in
him. He is riches, and honor, and glory,
and love in its deepest meaning. There
has been no language found on earth,
into which Jesus cannot be introduced,
untranslated. The Jew, the Greek, the
Hottentot, and the refined nations of the
earth all sing the same name. 1t is the
sweetest word on earth, and probably the
sweetest in heaven Come, little child,
and sit by my side and receive this gold
en- crown-faint emblem of the crown
which Jesus will one day place upon thy