ost
inevitable regret and despair that accompany it.

One of my patients decided some time ago that her life was wasted, that
she had accomplished nothing. It was true that she had not the endurance
to meet the usual demands of social or even family life, and that for
long periods she had to give up altogether. But it happened that she had
the gift of musical understanding, that she had studied hard in younger
days. With a little urging the gift was made to grow again and to serve
not only the patient's own needs, but to bring very great pleasure to
every one who listened to her playing. That rare, true ability was worth
everything, and she came to realize it in time. The gift of musical
expression is a very great thing, and I succeeded in making this woman
understand that she should be happy in that ability even if nothing
else should be possible.

Often enough nothing that can compare with music exists, and life seems
wholly barren. Rather cold comfort it seems at first to assure a person
who is helpless that character is the greatest thing in the world, but
that is the final truth. The most limited and helpless life may glow
with it and be richer than imagination can believe. It is never time to
regret--and never time to despair. The less analysis the better. When it
comes to character, live, grow, and get a deeper and deeper
understanding of life--of life that is near to God and so capable of
wrong only as we turn away from Him. "Do not say things; what you are
stands over you and thunders so, I cannot hear what you say to the
contrary." We shall do well not to forget that, whatever failures or
mistakes we have made, there is infinite possibility ahead of us, that
character is the greatest thing in the world, and that most good
character has been built upon mistakes and failures. I believe there is
no sin which may not make up the fabric of its own forgiveness in the
living of a free, self-sacrificing life. I know of no bodily ill nor
handicap which we may not eventually rise above and beyond by means of
brave spiritual progress. The body may fail us, but the spirit reaches
on and into the great world of God.

X

THE VIRTUES

The virtues hide their vanquished fires
Within that whiter flame--
Till conscience grows irrelevant
And duty but a name.
FREDERICK LAWRENCE KNOWLES.

In most books I have read on "nerves" and similar subjects, advice is
given, encouragement is g