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course, to irritate and perplexl The work
of reconciliation is truly Christian. 1t is
calculated to bring peace to many troubled
breast, to sooth and givS balm to many an
agitated mind and wounded hcart-to cons
vert hatred into love, harshness into kind
ness, and 70 make us by reflection on the
past, ashamed OF our moments of petulance
and passion and anxious 10 avoid such er-


oTs and impeTfectons for he future.


What nobIer task could an individual be
engaged in, than that Of bringing together
friends and relatives who had heeu long
separated separated too by some trivial
cause, Sy some hasty word, by some harsh
expression or allusIon, which at the time
was not meant to offend or wound. 1t Is so
easy at Zines. and especially when one Is
peevish. frctful and out OF humour, TO mag
inc insult where nothing was intended. We
all. too, have peculiar moods. We have
our hours of gloom. discomfort and dissatis-
faction. Az such times we are uni iTersally
sensitive The slightest thing will stir Us
into passion, or induce US to utter something
harsh or complaining. 1t is at such mo-
ments that difficulties are aptto arise. We
cannot bear even ordinary railing, while
the rcmotcst allusiOn TO any offensive subs
iect or sore point, is at once regarded as an
act of wrong or outrage. This TOO, we


know, and realize ourselves in our calm
and thoughtful moments But we lack the
nerve TO admit the error, to take back the
harsh expression we may have used, to prof.
fer an apology, and 10 hold out the hand OF


reconciliation How fatal has this obsIna-
cy been to the happiness ofmany! A sight
offence, and perhaps one that was never IN
tended, has increased with the strength OF
years. by the nursing OF moody thought, the
lnsinuatiOnS aud misrepresentation OF pre-
tended friends. and thus, what might ha We
been explained in a breath, what would have
been forgiven promptly and generously, had
the firstlwoId of atOnement or explanation


been uttered, has ranked and deepened un>
I'll the fearful feelings of hatred and revenge


have become dark features of our nature.


Better, far better in every case, where a
doubt exists as to the propriety of our own
course, TO stretch out the hand of Ieconcllla>
lion. Better to forgive, once, twice aye,
dozen times, than mistake or misapprehend,
and on such fatal error, TO foment deadly
| and und wing enmity. II has been eloquent
( ly and beautifully said, that when the veil
\ of Death has been drawn between US and
\ the objects o! our regard how qnick.sig hted
1 10 we become 20 their merits. and how bit
Z :crIy DO we then remember words or looks
! OF uukindness which NAV have escaped US
/ in our intercourse with them. How care
/ ful should such Thoughts render us in the
/ fuIflment OF those offices of affection which
I il may be in our power to performl for who
I can tell how soon the moment may arrive
4 when repentance cannot be followed by re-
+ paration!