In the spirit of
this let me strive to live. Let it be for me the lesson of the day.
Let it also be the lesson of my life."
Her face was pale and lit with exaltation as she took the letter from
his hand. There was a pause, and then upon the thrilling and tender
silver of her voice, the words arose like solemn music:--
"_Farewell--farewell! But, oh! take my counsel into memory on
Christmas Day, and forever. Once again, the ancient prophecy of peace
and good-will shines on a world of wars and wrongs and woes. Its soft
ray shines into the darkness of a land wherein swarm slaves, poor
laborers, social pariahs, weeping women, homeless exiles, hunted
fugitives, despised aliens, drunkards, convicts, wicked children, and
Magdalens unredeemed. These are but the ghastliest figures in that sad
army of humanity which advances, by a dreadful road, to the Golden Age
of the poets' dream. These are your sisters and your brothers. Love
them all. Beware of wronging one of them by word or deed. O friend!
strong in wealth for so much good,--take my last counsel.
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