October 10

“Do not cheat thy heart and tell her
‘Grief will pass away,
Hope for fairer times in future,
And forget to-day.’
Tell her if you will that sorrow
Need not come in vain;
Tell her that the lesson taught her
Far outweighs the pain.

“Cheat her not with the old comfort
‘Soon she will forget.’
Bitter truth, alas, - but matter
Rather for regret;
Bid her not ‘Seek other pleasures,
Turn to other things’;
Rather nurse her caged sorrow
Till the captive sings.

“Rather bid her go forth bravely,
And the stranger greet;
Not as foe with spear and buckler,
But as dear friends meet;
Bid her with a strong clasp hold her
By her dusky wings,
Listening for the murmured blessing
Sorrow always brings.”

A. A. PROCTER

October 8

“Our veiled and terrible guest (trouble) brings for us, if we accept it, the boon of fortitude, patience, self-control, wisdom, sympathy, faith. If we reject that, then we find in our hands the other gift, - cowardice, weakness, isolation, despair. If your trouble seems to have in it no other possibility of good, at least set yourself to bear it like a man. Let none of its weight come on other shoulders. Try to carry it so that no one shall even see it. Though your heart be sad within, let cheer go out from you to others. Meet them with a kindly presence, considerate words, helpful acts.”

G. S. MERRIAM

“I think that the retrospect of sorrow is, with most persons, not very sorrowful. They see that sorrow is the great chastener.”

Sir A. HELPS

“Sorrow seems sent for our instruction, as we darken the cages of birds when we would teach them to sing.”

RICHTER