[1] We are all sons of one Father, members of one body, and
heirs of one kingdom, in respect of which near-linking
together there should be compassion and sympathy betwixt
us. If one member do but grieve, all suffer with it. When a
thorn is got into the foot, how is it that the back bows,
the eyes pry into the hurt, and the hands are busied to
pluck out the cause of the anguish? And we, being members
of one another, should bear with and forbear one the other,
the not doing whereof will stick as a brand upon our souls
that we are of the number of them that have forsaken the
fear of the Almighty.--_Spencer,_ 1658.
[2] Certain it is, that nothing can better do it, so there is
nothing greater, for which God made our tongues, next to
reciting His praises, than to minister comfort to a weary
soul. And what greater pleasure can we have than that we
should bring joy to our brother, who, with his dreary eyes,
looks to heaven and round about, and cannot find so much
rest as to lay his eyelids close together, than that thy
tongue should be tuned with heavenly accents, and make the
weary soul to listen for light and ease; and when he
perceives that there is such a thing in the world, and in
the order of things as comfort and joy, to begin to break
out from the prison of his sorrows, at the door of sighs
and tears, and, by little and little, melts into showers
and refreshment? This is glory to thy voice and employment
fit for the brightest angel. But so have I seen the sun
kiss the frozen earth, which was bound up with images of
death, and the colder breath of the north; and then the
waters break from their enclosures, and melt with joy, and
run in useful channels; and the flies do rise again from
their little graves in the walls, and dance awhile in the
air, to tell that there is joy within, and that the great
mother of creatures will open the stock of her new
refreshment, become useful to mankind, and sing praises to
her Redeemer: so is the heart of a sorrowful man under the
discourses of a wise comforter; he breaks from the despairs
of the grave, and the fetters and chains of sorrow; he
blesses God, and he blesses thee, and he feels his life
returning: for to be miserable is death, but nothing is
life but to be comforted: and God is pleased with no music
from below so much as in the thanksgiving songs of relieved
widows, of supported orphans, of rejoicing and comforted
and thankful persons.--_Jeremy Taylor,_ 1612-1667.
[3] Till we have reflected on it, we are scarcely aware how
much the sum of human happiness in the world is indebted to
this one feeling--sympathy. We get cheerfulness, and
vigour, we scarcely know how or when, from mere association
with our fellow-men; and from the looks reflected on us of
gladness and enjoyment we catch inspiration and power to go
on, from human presence and from cheerful looks. The
workman works with added energy from having others by. The
full family circle has a strength and a life peculiarly its
own. The substantial good and the effectual relief which
men extend to one another is trifling. It is not by these,
but by something far less costly, that the work is done.
God has ensured it by a much more simple machinery. He has
given to the weakest and the poorest power to contribute
largely to the common stock of gladness. The child's smile
and laugh are mighty powers in this world. When bereavement
has left you desolate, what substantial benefit is there
which makes condolence acceptable? It cannot replace the
loved ones you have lost. It can bestow upon you nothing
permanent. But a warm hand has touched yours, and its
thrill told you that there was a living response there to
your emotion. One look, one human sigh, has done more for
you than the costliest present could convey.--_Robertson,_
1816-1853.