ing his cattle
on the hills. So successful was he that some of the old and
superstitious people in the neighborhood concluded that he must have
been assisted by 'the evil spirit.' On one occasion he went to
Edinburgh, plaided and barefoot, walked into a bookseller's shop, and
asked for a Greek Testament. 'What are you going to do with a Greek
Testament?' said the bookseller. 'Read it,' was the prompt reply. 'Read
it!' exclaimed the sceptical bookseller with a smile; 'ye may have it
for nothing if ye'll read it.' Taking the book, he quietly read off a
few verses, and gave the translation; on which he was permitted to carry
off the Greek Testament in triumph."

--_Rob't Turnbull._

1755

THE BEST SERMONS.

If we would give ourselves only half an hour's reflection at the close
of every day, we would preach to ourselves the best sermons that could
be uttered every week.

1756

Oh ponder well! be not severe!

--_Unknown._

1757

What shadows we are! what shadows we pursue!

1758

THE LOST SHEEP.

"Oh, gentle Shepherd, climbing rugged mountains,
And crossing waters deep,
How long wouldst Thou be willing to go homeless,
To find a wandering sheep?"
"I count not time," the Shepherd gently answered,
"As thou dost count and bind
The days in the weeks, the weeks in months;
My count is just until I find.
And that should be the limit of my journey,
I'd cross the waters deep,
And climb the hill-slopes with untiring patience,
Until I found my sheep."

--_Luke xv, 4v._

1759

Sickness is every man's master.

--_From the Danish._

1760

No duns outside, and no doctors within.
(Absence of sickness and debt.)

--_Chinese._

1761

Out of sight, out of mind.

1762

Silence is the safest response for all the contradiction that arises
from impertinence, vulgarity, or envy.

--_Zimmerman._

1763

Silence is the best resolve for him who distrusts himself.

--_Rochefoucauld._

1764

Silence is the consummate eloquence of sorrow.

1765

Of keeping silence few have pai