"You needed not, my dear madam, to ask the permission which I so gladly give, respecting the insertion of some of my effusions in the work of benevolence, upon which you are engaged. Your 'Gift' will, no doubt, be a most soothing and grateful one to the class for which you design it, and to which, I regret to learn, you belong. "You are thus giving another proof of the truth of what is said of the tree,-that it must be through its own wounds that its balsam is poured forth to heal or sooth those of others. But if, amid your afflictions, you feel that they are from One who is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind, you are not without comfort, and you will bear in your heart the sweet assurance and divine promise,-"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.' 'He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.' MARY A. PATRICK. |