February 14

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.—ROM. viii, 18.

Those only who have suffered know to teach; The heart that has not felt the doubts and fears, That make a sorrow all too deep for tears, Cannot point out the thorny road to reach The blessed peace that breaks upon the dark; The worthless steel that passes through the fire, Comes bright and spotless from the glowing pyre, Undimmed by loveless stain or impure mark. And thus the soul that through the ordeal Of suffering comes forth triumphantly, Has gained the virtues that lay hidden all Until the fire made them shine buoyantly; And, with the new-found knowledge deep and clear, It brings glad echoes to the list'ning ear.

STEWART ROBERTSON.

God sends us no gift with choicer possibilities in it than are enwrapped in suffering. TRUMBULL.

As some herbs need to be crushed to give forth their sweetest odors, so some natures need to be tried by suffering to evoke the excellence that is in them. Grief is a common bond that unites hearts. It can knit hearts closer than happiness can, and common sufferings are far stronger links than common joys. The visitations of sorrow are universal. There beats not a heart that has not felt the force of affliction.

BULWER.

Suffering becomes beautiful when any one bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not, through insensibility, but through greatness of mind.

ARISTOTLE.