Produced by Charles Aldarondo  HTML version by Al HainesWORDS OF CHEER FOR The Tempted the Toiling and the SorrowingEDITED BY T S ARTHURPHILADELPHIA1856PREFACEAS we pass on our way through the world we find our paths nowsmooth and flowery and now rugged and difficult to travel The skybathed in golden sunshine today is black with storms tomorrowThis is the history of every one And it is also the lifeexperienceof all that when the way is rough and the sky dark the poor heartsinks and trembles and the eye of faith cannot see the bright sunsmiling in the heavens beyond the veil of clouds But for all thisfear and doubt the rugged path winds steadily upwards and thebroad sky is glittering in lightLet the toiling the tempted and the sorrowing ever keep this inmind Let them have faith in Him who feedeth the young lions andclothes the fields with verdurewho bindeth up the broken heartand giveth joy to the mourners There are Words of Cheer in the airListen and their melody will bring peace to the spirit and theirtruths strength to the heartCONTENTS  AUNT MARY  THE DEAD  DO YOU SUFFER MORE THAN YOUR NEIGHBOUR  WE ARE LED BY A WAY THAT WE KNOW NOT  THE IVY IN THE DUNGEON  THE GARDEN OF EDEN  HAVE A FLOWER IN YOUR ROOM  WEALTH  HOW TO BE HAPPY  REBECCA  LIFE A TREADMILL  ARTHUR LELAND  THE SCARLET POPPY  NUMBER TWELVE  TO AN ABSENTEE  THE WHITE DOVE  HESTER  THISTLEDOWN  THE LITTLE CHILDREN  WHAT IS NOBLE  THE ANEMONE HEPATICA  THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL AROUT  BABY IS DEAD  THE TREASURED RINGLET  HUMAN LONGINGS FOR PEACE AND REST  BE STRONG  THE NEGLECTED ONE  THE HOURS OF LIFE  MINISTERING ANGELS  OURS LOVED AND GONE BEFORE  OUTWARD MINISTERINGS  BODILY DEFORMITY SPIRITUAL BEAUTY  THE DEAD CHILD  WATER  BEAUTIFUL HAPPY AND BELOVED  EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING  AN ANGEL OF PATIENCE  THE GRANDFATHERS ADVICE  A HYMN OF PRAISE  AN ANGEL IN EVERY HOUSE  ANNIE  MOTHER  GREAT PRINCIPLES AND SMALL DUTIES  OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN  THE OLD VILLAGE CHURCH  THE WORD IS NIGH THEE  AUNT RACHEL  COMETH A BLESSING DOWN  THE DARKENED PATHWAY  LOOK ON THIS PICTURE  THE POWER OF KINDNESS  SPEAK KINDLY  HAVE PATIENCE  DO THEY MISS MEWORDS OF CHEERAUNT MARYA LADY sat alone in her own apartment one clear evening when thesilver stars were out and the moon shone pure as the spirit ofpeace upon the rebellious earth How lovely was every outward thingHow beautiful is Gods creation The window curtains were drawnclose and the only light in the cheerful room was given by anightlamp that was burning on the mantelpiece The occupant whoperhaps had numbered about thirtyfive years was sitting by a smalltable in the centre of the room her head leaning upon one slenderhand the other lay upon the open page of a book in which she hadendeavoured to interest herself But the effort had been vain otherand stronger feelings had overpowered her there was an expressionof suffering upon the gentle face over which the tears rainedheavily For a brief moment she raised her soft blue eyes upwardwith an appealing look then sunk her head upon the table beforeher murmuringFather forgive me it is good for me Give me strength to beareverything Pour thy love into my heart for I am desolateif Icould but be useful to one human beingif I could make one personhappier I should be content But no I am desolatedesolate Whoseheart clings to mine with the strong tendrils of affection Who everturns to me for a smile Oh this world is so coldso coldAnd that sensitive being wept passionately and pressed her handupon her bosom as if to still its own yearningsMary Clinton had met with many sorrows she was the youngest of alarge family she had been the caressed darling in her early daysfor her sweetness won every heart to love She had dwelt in the warmbreath of affection it was her usual sunshine and she gave it nothought while it blessed her a cold word or look was an unfamiliarthing A most gladhearted being she was once But death came in aterrible form folded her loved ones in his icy arms and bore themto another world A kind father a tender mother a brother andsister were laid in the grave in one short month by the choleraOne brother was yet left and she was taken to his home for he wasa wealthy merchant But there seemed a coldness in his splendidhouse a coldness in his wifes heart Sick in body and in mind thebereft one resolved to travel South and visit among her relationshoping to awaken her interest in life which had lain dormantthrough grief She went to that sunny region and while therebecame acquainted with a man of fine intellect and fascinatingmanners who won her affections and afterwards proved unworthy ofher Again the beauty of her life was darkened and with a wearyheart she wore out the tedious years of her joyless existence Shewas an angel of charity to the poor and suffering She grew lovelierthrough sorrow A desire to see her brother her nearest and dearestrelative called her North again and when our story opens she wasin the bosom of his home a member of his family He loved herdeeply yet she felt like an alienhis wife had not welcomed her asa sister should Mary Clintons heart went out towards Alice hereldest niece a beautiful and loving creature just springing intowomanhood But the fair girl was gay and thoughtless flattered andcaressed by everybody She knew sadness only by the name She had nodream that she could impart a deep joy by giving forth her younghearts love to the desolate strangerThe hour had grown late very