THE MISSION OF THE SICK.

By Rev. A. D. Mayo.

NO, REFLECTING man can have failed to observe the law of reciprocity, pervading the whole universe. All things are related to each other. Nothing exists for itself alone. Every creature sustains a twofold relation. It has a being of its own to develope, and it is fitted to exert an influence upon some other thing, or possibly all things else.

soul ask for a final result in the Redemption, that shall increase and increase the gracious issues. Nature leads us in adoration to its God, because we see the tendencies of evil arrested just where the farther continuation of them would be disastrous, not contributing to any good result. See the general law that heat expands and cold contracts; how beautifully, as by a miracle, is that law suspended, or another counteracting law brought in, in the case of the freezing of vapor or water,-in the falling of snow, and the sealing of the streams! If Natural Theology does any thing, it proves that We observe this fact in Nature. There is noas our vision enlarges, evil is seen to be but the thing among all the inanimate forms around us present aspect of things. We see, as it were, God which terminates in itself. The blade of grass stretching forth his hand, and amid a thousand which pushes its tender head above the moist earth tendencies to evil, taking up just that which is ne-in Spring, claims a high relationship with the sun, cessary to arrest the destructive agency and turn-the clouds, and the atmosphere. The star that ing the course of things to the glory of his intelligence and goodness. We can find cause to admire, to praise, and to love, from sights like these, just as easily as we are led to esteem the skillful surgeon as we behold him taking up the varicose veins, and diverting the flow of blood in such a manner that health and strength may again be enjoyed by the sufferer. There may be mysteries in the process, but we are able to see the goodness of the final result. If we were not, we should be blind indeed. On the same ground, and by the same mode of reasoning, we conclude, that to conceive of EVIL as a permanent and final condition of any soul in the universe, is not and cannot be honorable to God. We cannot trace him through the whole field of his operations; his footsteps are often in the sea of mystery; but eventual good is a result which we must see, before we can admire or love him. The faculties which he has given us require this.

THE BEREAVED. TO

Look up, my sister! why should hope be faint,
Since love is thine in all its tenderness?

Why should'st thou breathe pale sorrow's saddest
plaint,

And nurse thy grief as some most worthy guest?
Rise in thy strength, with woman's hopeful heart,
Look to thy God, and patient bear thy lot;
And when the burning tear again would start,
With an o'ermastering will, bid it depart.
So shalt thou ope thy soul to all that truth

glides through the blue sky, is waited upon by light and heat and gravitation. Through all Nature we discover a process of decay and renovation in which the materials of one body are dissolved and wrought up into another, and thus all things are mixed,' and no atom of matter is ever lost, but travels the round of the universe, contributing its feeble aid to the perfection of the whole.

And still more wonderful is the illustration of this law in mind. The souls of all men are linked together by subtle ties and affinities. Touch one and you move all. No human being can be made happy or miserable, holy or sinful, without affecting in a nearer or more remote degree every other being dwelling upon earth. Whisper a new truth to an individual in the most remote corner of the world, and it will rush through the minds of all, as the electric spark darts along the conductor. No man can say he is useless, that he exists in vain. Some heart, that relies upon his for support and comfort, rebukes the assertion ere it has grown cold upon his lips. No being ever existed who could teach nothing to those who lived around him. The Philosopher can learn of the little child. The Poet can listen with profit to the instructions of the craftsman. The Statesman can receive as well as impart. Thus are all men bound together and necessary to each other's existence and welfare. Says a profound observer of human nature: 'It is only in the sentiment of companionship that men feel safe and assured: to all doubts and mysterious questionings of destiny, their sole satisfying answer is, others do and suffer the like. Were it not for this, the dullest day-drudge of Mammon might

Which flows from heaven as light leaps from the sun; think himself into unspeakable abysses of despair;

And thou shalt find the fervor of thy youth

Again by pious trust and labor won ;

And thou shalt walk the upward path that leads
To that bright home where Love no longer bleeds.

for he, too, is "fearfully and wonderfully made;" infinitude and incomprehensibility surround him on this side and that; and the vague spectre Death, silent and sure as Time, is advancing at all mo

ments to sweep him away for ever. But he an- And even to those who know nothing of these swers, others do and suffer the like; and plods along states of mind, a moment's consideration of our without misgivings. Were there but one man in subject may not be unprofitable, for we are all liathe world, he would be a terror to himself; and the ble to prostration of health. A day's labor, the highest man not less so than the lowest.' And we most remote and trifling cause, may subdue this may remark, in addition to this, that the most fear-strength of ours, and place us in a condition where ful tragedy ever written is the attempt, by the we shall need all our Christian resignation to susgreatest of modern poets, to represent such a being,tain our fainting hearts. And if not so, it is well cut off from human sympathy, seeking to be sufficient for himself. The character of Faust' is the best argument to reconcile us to this constructure of our nature.

for us to know that those among us whom we are so often tempted to neglect in our impatience, are not useless 'cumberers of the ground,' but have a high and holy mission to fulfill; perchance, that their weakness, under God, is to be more potent than our strength. Let us then indicate a few methods in which the sick and suffering may and do confer good upon others.

And not only is every man essential to all other men by his very creation, but also in every circumstance in which Providence may place him, will he be found useful to others. If the rich man can give me his money, the poor man can give me his love. And first, this class of persons confers much benEvery one of those who surround me, is by virtue efit upon the world, by keeping alive the common of his situation in possession of something which I feelings of our nature, humanity, pity, a self-sacrihave not, and which is necessary to my happiness. fice, in those around them. The world is full of I could no more spare the beggar to whom I give a inducements to selfishness. It is the besetting sin penny, than the legislator whom I delegate to enact of us all. We begin life trustingly and confidingmy laws. From one man's power, I learn rever- ly, but as we advance, every day reveals to us the ence; from another's wealth, prudence; from an-melancholy truth that men will abuse this confiother's genius, the love of knowledge; from anoth-dence of ours. We see every one about us scramer's labor, industrious habits; from another's suf- bling to appropriate to his own use all the good ferings and misfortunes, patience and resignation; things of life, regardless of the wants of others. We from another's sin, the 'beauty of holiness.' Thus engage in the business of the world, and find that are all men equally necessary to me. If one were selfishness is its foundation, and after our generosi❤ stricken out of existence and his place not supplied, ty has been a few times abused, and our confidence it would be the greatest of all misfortunes to my ridiculed as weakness, we begin to think we have temporal and spiritual welfare. nothing to expect from men, and lose our trust in virtue, and worst of all, become selfish and hard hearted ourselves. And so, as we advance from

It is our purpose at this time to apply this truth to one of the many circumstances in which we are all liable to be placed-sickness. We would en-year to year, and gain increased knowledge of what deavor to show that even while suffering from bodiwe call human nature, (meaning only the dark side ly weakness, and inability to perform our accusto- of it) we lose one by one the humanities that make med duties, we may, if we will, do much good to our being an Image of God;' we cease to pity any others. There may be those whom these words but ourselves; we forget, in our love of self, the will reach, who have known, or still know, the dis- very existence of disinterested action. And especouragement of long protracted debility, and whose cially is this true, if we are surrounded with prosmost difficult trial has been the thought that they perity and comfort. It is a mournful indication of were living in the world only to burden it with care our sinfulness, that our pride and uncharitableness for themselves. All who have experienced sick-and coldness, generally increase in exact proportion ness for any time, will testify that this is its most trying attendant. It is easy to bear pain, if we can feel that our life is a blessing to the world, that we are doing even a little good; but if we are ever tempted to doubt the providence of God, it is when, stricken by bodily weakness, we feel that our power to labor for others, and return their good offices, is gone; that we must live, a useless, dead weight upon society. Then we feel, indeed, how much 'more blessed it is to give than to receive,' and too often give way to repinings and questionings of that benevolence which could appoint such a lot for us.

to our worldly increase of possessions. Our ingratitude is never so apparent as at those times when God is showering upon us his choicest bles sings.

Now the presence of sickness and suffering is, of all things, the most effectual to resist this state of the heart. We may be cold and selfish in our daily business, in our intercourse with men who are capable of sustaining themselves, but our hearts are touched at the sight of one subjected to long illness and pain. All the gentle impulses of our nature command us to forget self in his presence, and

strive to alleviate his sufferings. And so in our by a display of immature genius. Are we intercold hearts are kindled again the flames of compas-ested in the improvement of men? It is too hu

miliating to our extravagant anticipations to work calmly, seeking to eradicate one prejudice after another from the minds of our brethren, and bring them gradually into stronger light. We must fret and fume, call them hard names, and throw our

does not at once cast off his vices, and put on the celestial holiness of an Archangel! Thus is our whole life a period of feverish excitement, or depression. We are raging like the ocean in a storm, or reposing like stagnant pools. If we cannot be gods in power and influence, we will be nothing!

sion and self-sacrificing love. We wonder how we could ever become so insensible to the claims of our common humanity. I have seen examples of this most deeply affecting. I have seen the man of business, who upon the exchange, surrounded by the temptations of the world, and by selfish, grasp-selves into paroxysms of despair, because the sinner ing men, would lose all thought of the claims of others, and bear up against competition with a face hard as flint,' forget himself when he entered his home, and looked upon the pale features of a suffering child. All heavenly impulses would rush in, and cast out the demons' from his soul, and he would become an angel of mercy to that weak And such are we in our trust in God. How few creature. And think you there was no good in all of us know any thing of a calm, reposing faith; a this? Was it not well for that man for one hour faith which nothing can shake, which clings sponto yield himself up to those emotions which exalt taneously to the goodness of a Heavenly Parent! the soul to God and make a heaven upon earth? Alas, how ready are we to complain of any little Is it not a blessed thing that we can at times be interruption in our plans. A rainy day will make drawn out from this armor of selfishness, and feel us doubt the goodness of Him who created the compassion and love, and work for those who can-earth! A disappointment in some cherished plan not repay us? And is not your mission a holy one, ye who suffer, if you can be the cause of arousing such feelings in the souls of those around you? Think not that you are useless beings; never be lieve that God has left you without the power of doing good. He has made you his chosen messengers to call men out from the vanities of earth into the Kingdom of Heaven.' Perhaps you are the only restraining influence which holds back a brother from utter selfishness! Be thankful then for all this. Be patient, and worthy to fulfill this noble work which God is accomplishing through your weakness!

will cloud our faces, and make our society a burden to all around us! A failure in business destroys all our energies, and we think our life has been lost, and go about like interlopers and vagrants in the earth; as if a man were not worth more than all the dollars that were ever coined! The dissolution of a religious society makes us all prophecy a downfall of religion in the world, the defeat of a political party prepares us to expect the return of the dark ages of tyranny! as if the success of God's truth depended upon parish organization, or the freedom of man upon the rise or fall of any political leader!

Again, the suffering may teach us many import- And so in all things. On the Sabbath we come ant lessons of Christian duty. There are virtues up to the Sanctuary, and say our prayers, and sing which never impress us so forcibly as when illus- praises to a God whose providence upholds all trated by the lives of men bowed down by weak-things; but no one would suspect, from our com. ness. Of these we shall name but two,-Patience plainings and despondency through the week, that and Trust in God, we really believed in the existence of such a Being! We are ready to say all manner of hard things of a man who is so thoughtless as to deny the being of a Deity, but we live as destitute of a living faith as if our God were dead, or had never been!

Now is not any thing a blessing which will calm this fevered state of our souls, and give us patience, and teach us to rely undoubtingly upon the good providence of our heavenly Parent? Are not patience and trust things valuable beyond all price, and are not those our highest benefactors who can teach them to us?

And we would select these before all others, because they are the rarest and most difficult of attainment among men. Patience-how little we all possess of it! Our lives are distracted and made miserable by its absence. Are we engaged in the business of life? We cannot be content with the secure gains of moderate industry, but must tax all our faculties, sacrifice all the nobler intellectual pursuits, all the enjoyments of social intercourse, and our peace of mind, that we may become rich in a day! Are we possessed of talents above the common measure? We cannot endure Such teachers are among us. When we are disthe work of slow, toilsome discipline, waiting for tracting ourselves with cares, and becoming impathe future to produce its results; but must straight-tient, God lays his hand upon some one of us, and way set the world in a blaze, and overpower men his strength departs, and in the midst of all this

And swallowed up her loved ones. Now, alone,
She stretched her feeble hands to Him who saith
'I am thy Helper and like one that's cast
By treacherous seas upon the ocean rock,
. Longing intensely for a cheering sound,
She prayed and listened, fixing her strong gaze
Where calm Religion held her holy sway.
She saw, afar, the dim approaching rays
Gleam from the radiant diadem of Faith,
Who bending from her high celestial home,
With gentle hand, sustained her o'er the billows,
And bright beyond the clouds, to her rapt soul,
Revealed the region of unfading joys.-

Her sobs were hushed, and when the Rite was o'er
That pledged her heart to Heaven, I marked the
smile

Of Resignation struggling through her tears,
As she, who once with careless footsteps trod
The brilliant paths of gaiety and pride,
Sat down a listener at the Savior's feet.

Providence, R. 1.

THE STAGE DRIVER.

By Miss S. C. E. Mayo.

H. A. D.

Well, as we have said, daily rolled and rumbled this gay mail stage over the Torrey hills; and daily ran Lizzy Hatch to the window, to glance between the scarlet bean-vines-at what? The white horses, or the stage-coach? The bandboxes, or the trunks? The passengers, or-the rosy cheeked young driver? We will not say. Peep she did, with her bright little laughing eyes, and smile she did with her sweet little rosy lips. " What makes him always so merry, I wonder thought she. 'What can he be always singing about so loud? One would think that on a rainy day, at least, he might be sober; but instead of that, he only screams the louder when the rain pours the hardest!'

'What a curious little chick that must be, always prying between the bean-vines!' daily thought the rosy-cheeked driver, when passing the house of Farmer Hatch. One would think she might sometimes be at work, instead of which, there she forever stands, thinking herself hid by the bean-flowers which only make her show the fairer. She's a sweet little witch, on my word!

Fal de ral, lal de ral
Fal de rol, lal de ra!

Gee up! whoa, there! gineral!'

The gay-painted stage-coach could be seen a long OVER the Torrey hills regularly came and went, way up and off from Farmer Hatch's western winon alternate days, one of the numerous mail stages dows, for, from their door-way, the hill rose up, and from Vermont. It was a new coach, freshly paint- up, and up, till it seemed fairly to touch the sky; ed in bright yellow, with large boquets of red roses and the coach came rattling down, and down, and upon the panelling, and narrow black stripes upon down, till one would verily think it was sent on a the wheels. Bandboxes, covered with blue, green, despatch to the bottomless abyss. So regularly pink, white, yellow and parti-colored paper, or per- every alternate morning at precisely eight o'clock, haps carefully secured from the incidents of a jour- Lizzy shook up her little bed in the western bedney by a bag of coarse brown cloth, were piled, to-room, and hung the snowy pillows on the windowgether with valises, carpet bags and bundles of va-sill to air; and precisely at five o'clock on every alrious shapes and sizes, in huge mountains upon the ternate afternoon, she sat sewing at the east wintop. Among these, occasionally, an 'extra passen-dow in the parlor ; and precisely at those very hours ger' found a place-nine grown persons and five came either to or fro, the yellow coach and the six small children within, and six upon, and above, the white horses. driver's box without, being considered the full complement for a load. To speak of the trunks behind, would require a greater compass of arithmetic than we possess. They were of wood, of hair, of leather; black, red, yellow, white, blue; some strapped and buckled, some corded with ropes; some whose shattered locks had half burst away from their screws, and a few smaller ones upon the top sporting their brass padlocks. This vehicle was drawn by six large white horses always in the finest order and in hey-day spirits. In short, it was an exhilarating sight, that, whirling, rumbling, rattling, jolt-though he had a hearty contempt for his foppishing little world, regularly revolving in its orbit, and changing its passengers no oftener than this larger whirling, rattling world, that we call Earth.

A quarter of a mile on the road below was the Torrey post-office, the store, the tailor's shop, the church, and a few white and yellow houses called the village. Here the stage always stopped to have the mail changed; here the driver jumped off, and chatted with the loungers about the door; here he met the little dandy tailor in his light blue pants, plaid vest, and invisible green coat, and delivered him sundry packages from the city. Said tailor, by name Orlando Schneider, was no unimportant personage in the eyes of Frank Gale, the driver; for

ness, he had an unaccountable dislike and dread of his pretensions in another direction. In short, Frank had often observed him strutting up to the