d rends the very
heart.

It all springs up imperceptibly, till at last the family life is one of
bitterness and misery.

They console, or better still, excuse themselves, with the thought of
their suffering, never considering how much pain they give to others, nor
where the fault lies.

XXV.

Let it rest! Ah! how many hearts on the brink of anxiety and disquietude
by this simple sentence have been made calm and happy!

Some proceeding has wounded us by its want of tact; _let it rest_; no one
will think of it again.

A harsh or unjust sentence irritates us; _let it rest_; whoever may have
given vent to it will be pleased to see it is forgotten.

A painful scandal is about to estrange us from an old friend; _let it
rest_, and thus preserve our charity and peace of mind.

A suspicious look is on the point of cooling our affection; _let it rest_,
and our look of trust will restore confidence....

Fancy! we who are so careful to remove the briers from our pathway for
fear they should wound, yet take pleasure in collecting and piercing our
hearts with the thorns that meet us in our daily intercourse with one
another. How childish and unreasonable we are!

XXVI.

Of all the means placed by Providence within our reach, whereby we may
lead souls to Him, there is one more blessed than all others,--intercessory
prayer.

* * * * *

How often, in the presence of one deeply loved, but, alas! estranged from
GOD, the heart of mother or wife has felt a sudden impulse to say an
earnest word, propose an act of devotion, to paint in glowing colors the
blessings of faith and the happiness of virtue ... and she has stopped,
deterred by an irresistible fear of how the words may be received; and she
says to herself, poor woman, "To-morrow I shall be braver."

* * * * *

Poor mother! poor wife! go and tell to your Heavenly FATHER all you would,
but _dare_ not, say to the loved one who gives you so much pain.

Lay that sin-sick soul before the LORD, as long ago they laid the
paralytic man who could not, or perhaps _would_ not, be led to Him.

Plead for him with the long-suffering SAVIOUR, as you would plead with an
earthly master, upon whom depended all his future welfare, and say to Him
simply, "LORD, have patience with him yet a little longer."

Tell GOD of all your anxiety, your discouragements, the means employed for
success.

Ask Him to teach you what