e soul, ideals of
happiness pursued by man are simply futile and childish; the awakening
to a realization of this is a commonplace, world-wide experience, and
only repeated embodiments can purge the soul, educate the minds of men,
and turn their attention to the only true and lasting ideals of
happiness.

PAIN.

Physical pain beyond a certain point ceases to be pain and becomes an
ecstasy. The same beneficent law controls mental and spiritual
agonies. They each have their limit. To the keenest of sorrows, the
deepest of griefs our Maker has spoken: "Thus far shalt thou go, and no
farther." Nurse them as we may, draw them as deeply as we can into our
soul's recesses, and make them, in our morbid states, idols to cherish,
they yet lose their power to hold our souls in subjection.

Both physically and mentally, the nerves of feeling refuse to respond.
They have their limitation, and time holds for every heart-breaking
experience a consolation. If it were not so, this world would be
turned into a vast, howling lunatic asylum. Unseen and unrecognized by
stricken hearts, "The Angels of His, who do His pleasure" stand ever
ready to pour healing balm upon all our wounds, and to teach the great,
eternal truth that afflictions are the real educators of the soul.

FOES IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

"A man's foes shall be they of his own household." This saying
referred to the religious differences which the great prophet saw would
arise in consequence of his peculiar teachings. There are no ill
feelings between people so rancorous and lasting as those which spring
from such causes, and as hate is but love inverted, the nearer and
dearer the relationships, the more bitter is the feeling likely to be
engendered. Proverbially, family feuds are the most deadly and
difficult to eradicate.

The friend, the relative who knows you best, who has seen you in your
hours of weakness when you have been entirely "off guard," is the one
who can most injure you should anything occur to sever your hearts.
There is no help for this save in that growth of charity and
forbearance one toward another which teaches us to seek not our own,
but to try to help each other in the great struggle of life.

* * * * * *

Who are the "pure in heart?" Those who aspire to the good, and
sacrifice self to attain it. What is virtue? That which is best for
the individual; not on either the animal or the spiritual pl