October 27

“Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a great dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight of his room,
Making it rich and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel, writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
So to the presence in the room he said:
‘What writest thou?’ the Vision raised his head,
And in a voice made all of sweet accord,
Answered: ‘The names of those that love the Lord!’
‘And is mine one?’ said Abou. ‘Nay not so,’
Replied the Angel. Abou spake more low
But cheerily still, and said, ‘I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.’
The Angel wrote and vanished. The next night
He came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the souls whom love of God had blest,
And lo! – Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest!”

LEIGH HUNT

“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God.
“He that loves not, knows not God; for God is Love.”

I JOHN iv 7, 8