University of Virginia Library

Help and discipline

Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, en- larging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affec- tion, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven.

Marriage is unblest or blest, according to the disap- pointments it involves or the hopes it fulfils. To happify

existence by constant intercourse with those adapted to elevate it, should be the motive of society. Unity of spirit gives new pinions to joy, or else joy's drooping wings trail in dust.