Perfumes, the more they’re chafed, the more they render Their pleasant scents, and so _affliction_ Expresseth virtue fully. _John Webster._ _Afflictions_ clarify the soul, And, like hard masters, give more hard directions, Tutoring the non-age of uncurbed affections. _Francis Quarles._ To bear _affliction_ with a bended brow, Or stubborn heart, is but to disallow The speedy means to health. _Francis Quarles._ A life all ease is all abused;-- O, precious grace that made the wise To know--_affliction_, rightly used, Is mercy in disguise. _G. B. Cheever._ Heaven but tries our virtues by _affliction_, And oft the cloud which wraps the present hour Serves but to brighten all our future days. _Dr. Brown._ I cannot call _affliction_ sweet, And yet ’twas good to bear; _Affliction_ brought me to Thy feet, And I found comfort there. My wearied soul was all resigned To Thy most gracious will; Oh! had I kept that better mind, Or been _afflicted_ still! Where are the vows which then I vowed, The joys which then I knew? Those vanished like the morning cloud, These like the early dew. Lord, grant me grace for every day, Whate’er my state may be; Through life, in death, with truth to say, “My God is all to me!” _J. Montgomery._ Come then, _Affliction_, if my Father bids, And be my frowning friend: a friend that frowns, Is better than a smiling enemy. We welcome clouds that bring the former rain, Though they the present prospect blacken round, And shade the beauties of the opening year, That, by their stores enriched, the earth may yield A fruitful summer and a plenteous crop. _Swaine._ Mid pleasure, plenty, and success, Freely we take from Him who lends; We boast the blessings we possess, Yet scarcely thank the one who sends. But let _affliction_ pour its smart, How soon we quail beneath the rod! With shattered pride, and prostrate heart, We seek the long-forgotten God. _Eliza Cook._ AGE. Great men are not always wise, neither do the _aged_ understand judgment.--Job, xxxii. 9. And even to your old _age_ I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you.--Isaiah, xlvi. 4. Cast me not off in the time of old _age_; forsake me not when my strength faileth.--Psalm lxxi. 9. Now also, when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.--Psalm lxxi. 18.