Did you ever think what this world would be With never a life hereafter? Despair in the faces of all we'd see, And sobbing instead of laughter. In vain is beauty, and flowers' bloom, To remove the heart's dejection, Since all would drift to a yawning tomb, With never a resurrection. Did you ever think what this world would be. How weary of all endeavor, If the dead unnumbered, in land and sea, Would just sleep on forever? Only a pall over hill and plain! And the brightest hours are dreary, Where the heart is sad, and hopes are vain, And life is sad and weary. Did you ever think what this world would be If Christ had stayed in heaven,-- No home in bliss, no soul set free, No life, or sins forgiven? But he came with a heart of tenderest love, And now from on high he sees us, And mercy comes from the throne on high; Thank God for the gift of Jesus! BREAD UPON THE WATERS "Ah! Jacob, now you see how all your hopes are gone. Here we are worn out with age--all our children removed from us by the hand of death, and ere long we must be the inmates of the poorhouse. Where now is all the bread you have cast upon the waters?" The old, white-haired man looked up at his wife. He was, indeed, bent down with years, and age sat tremblingly upon him. Jacob Manfred had been a comparatively wealthy man, and while fortune had smiled upon him he had ever been among the first to lend a listening ear and a helping hand to the call of distress. But now misfortune was his. Of his four boys not one was left. Sickness and failing strength found him with but little, and had left him penniless. An oppressive embargo upon the shipping business had been the first weight upon his head, and other misfortunes came in painful succession. Jacob and his wife were all alone, and gaunt poverty looked them coldly in the face. "Don't repine, Susan," said the old man. "True we are poor, but we are not yet forsaken." "Not forsaken, Jacob? Who is there to help us now?" Jacob Manfred raised his trembling finger toward heaven. "Ah! Jacob, I know God is our friend, but we should have friends here. Look back and see how many you have befriended in days long past. You cast your bread upon the waters with a free hand, but it has not returned to you."