A TRAVELER passed along a smooth, level road, which wound through beautiful farms, by the side of quiet streams, over hill and through dale. His attention was entirely engrossed with the new and lovely scenes which burst upon his view, and all careless and heedless he pursued his way, not once thinking whither he was going; and the shades of evening found him in a strange country, and without a guide. We are all travelers; and many, many, like this person, pass along through life, never thinking of their journey’s end, or stopping to ask the solemn question, “What am I living for?” Are we placed in this beautiful world merely to pass away time as we choose, not casting a thought of the vailed future way beyond? No, indeed! we all have a mission to perform—a great, high and holy work to accomplish. A few glide smoothly down the stream of Life in fairy barks, enjoying the golden sunshine, the fragrant breeze, and “music of each singing bird,” and do not try to help the poor shipwrecked beings around them. Oh! what a selfish life! How widely different from what He intended. “It is not all of life to live.” As we journey, we should scatter flowers around the pathway, place cooling drinks in view, and arrange shadowy arbors, that those following may be regaled by the sight of beauties, refreshed by cooling drinks and strengthened by rest. We can do this. Are not encouraging smiles and kind sympathizing glances flowers which bud and blossom in the genial soil of Love and Hope! And do not gentle words often refresh the heart of the sad and despairing, even like a175cooling drink to the weary, heated traveler? And do not acts of kindness, and deeds of mercy, strengthen us all? “Not mighty deeds make up the sum
Of happiness below,
But little acts of kindness
Which any child may show.”
We may think it but little we can do, to make the world happier, wiser, or better, but who can tell the influence of kind deeds and words?