Part 5 (2/2)
”'What words have I heard from Jesus?' he said, sternly 'If you love not your brother whom you have seen, how can you love God whom you have not seen?'
”'This horse is not my brother!' I said scornfully
”The old man laid his hand on the brute's head and turned it toward me
The eyes were full of terror
”'Is not God his creator? Must He not care for hiround without His notice'
”I never forgot the lesson It flashed onthat ran beside me, the birds, the very worreat family”
82
Kindness to animals is no unworthy exercise of benevolence We hold that the life of brutes perishes with their breath, and that they are never to be clothed again with consciousness The inevitable shortness then of their existence should plead for thely The insects on the surface of the water, poor ephe pleasure of to-day? Such feelings we should have towards the whole animate creation
--_Sir Arthur Helps_
83
THE GRACIOUS ANSWER
(The first half of each stanza should be subdued; the last half confident and full of assurance)
The way is dark,thickly o'er my head, and loud The thunders roar above me See, I stand Like one bewildered! Father, take loom Lead safely home Thy child!
The way is dark, ht
I would not always have thee walk by sight
My dealings now thou canst not understand
I loooes fast,darkly down My faithless sight Sees ghostly visions Fears, a spectral band, Encoht Lead up to light Thy child!
The day goes fast, ht!
Keep close to me, and every spectral band Of fears shall vanish I will take thy hand, And through the night Lead up to light My child!
The way is long, oal; While yet I journey through this weary land, Keep ht Lead to Heaven's gate Thy child!
The way is long, er than is best for thee; And thou shalt know, at last, when thou shalt stand Safe at the goal, how I did take thy hand, And quick and straight Lead to Heaven's gate My child!
The path is rough, my Father! Many a thorn Has pierced , mark the way Yet Thy command Bids me press forward Father, take my hand; Then, safe and blest, Lead up to rest Thy child!