Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-23

welcome happiness as well as to endure
pain, and OF the strength that en-
durance wins by being grateful for small
daily joys, like the evening light, and the
smell OF roses, and the singing Of birds
She spoke of the faith that rests on the
unseen Wisdom and Love like a child
on Its mothers breast; and Of the melting
away OF doubts in the warmth of an ef-
fort to do some good in the world. And
| IL that effort has conflict, and adventure
and confused noise, and mistakes and
! even defeats mingled with It, in the
stormy years Of youth, is not that to be
| expected? The burn roars and leaps In
the den, and the stream chafes and frets
through the rapids Of the glen, and the riv-
er does not grow calm and smooth until IL
hears the sea- Courage is a virtue that the
young cannot spare; to lose It is to grow
old before the time; It is better to make
a thousand mistakes and suffer a thols-
and reverses than to run away from the
battle. Resignation is the courage of old
age; 1t will grow in its own season: and
1t is a good day when It comes to us
Then there are no more disappointments
Tor we have learned that It is even bet
ter to desire the things that we have than
10 nave the things that we desire And
is not the best of all our hopes-the hope
OF immortality-always before us? How
can we be dull or heavy while we have
That new experience to look forward tor
IL viii be the most joyful of all our
travels and adventures 1t will bring us
our best acduaintances and friendships.
But there Is only one way to get ready
Tor Immortality, and that is to love this
life and live 1t as bravely and cheerfulIy
and faithfully as we can.
So my gentle teacher with the silver
halr showed me the treasures of her an
Client, simple faith: and felt that no SER
mons, nor books nor arguments can
strengthen the doubling heart so deeply as
JUST 10 come into touch with soul that
Is founded upon a rock, and has proved
the truth of that plain religion whose
highest philosophy is Trust in the Lord
and do good" At the end of the evening
the household was gathered for prayers.
and the Mistress kneeled among her SER
wants, leading them, in her soft Scottish
accent, through the old familiar petitions
for pardon for the errors of the day. and
refreshing sleep through the night. and
strength for the morrow
IL Is good to be in land, whatever be
theNname Of the church that teaches It
where the people are not ashamed to
pray. / have shared the blessing of Cath
olics at their table in lowly huts among
the mountains of the Tyrol, and kneIt
with the Covenanters at their household
altar in the glens Of Scotland; and all
around this world where the spirit of
prayer Is, there Is peace. The genius Of
the Scotch has made many and great
contributions to literature, but none,
think, more precious, and none that comes
closer to the heart, than the prayer which
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote for his
FAMILY In distant Samoa the night before
he died.
I'VE beseech thee Lord, to behold
us with favor, folk of many families
and nations, gathered together in the
peace OF this ROOF: weak men and
women subssting under the covert
OF tiny patience. Be patient still: suf-
fer us yet a while longer-with our
broken promises of good, with our idle
endeaVors against evil-suffer us
while longer to endure, and if It
may be- help us to do better. Bless
to us our, extraordinary mercies; IL
the day come when these must be
taken, have us play the man under
affiiction. Be with our friends be with
ourselves. Go with each of us to
rest; If any awake temper to them the
dark hours OF watching; and when the
day returns to us-our sun and COM
forter-call us with morning faces
eager to labor eager to be happy II
happiness shall be our portion, and,
If the day be marked to sorrow
strong to endure 1t. We thank thee and
praise thee, and in the words of Him
to whom this day is sacred close our
oblation."
The man who wrote that kindly human
prayer knew the meaning of white heath
r. And 1 dare to hope that i, too, have
.nown something of its meaning since
lien picked the spray and gave it to me
m the lonely moor. And now" she said.
you will be going home across the sea;
Ind you have been welcome here, but II
time that you should go. for there is
he place where your real duties and
roubles and joys are waiting for you.
IND If you have left any misunderstand-
ngs behind you, you will try to clear
hem up; and IL there have been any
uarrels you will heal them. Carry this
title flower with you. It's not the bon
hest blossom in Scotland but it's the
earest, for the message that 1t brings
md you will remember that love is not
citing but giving; not wild dream Of
leasure. and a madness of desire-oh no.
ove Is not that-it is goodness and hon.
r. and peace, and pure living-yes love
8 that: and 1t is the best thing in the
world, and the thing that lives longest
md that is what I am wishing for you
nd yours with this bit Of white heather"