"Somebody near you is struggling alone Over life's desert sand; Faith, hope, and courage together are gone; Reach him a helping hand; Turn on his darkness a beam of your light; Kindle, to guide him, a beacon fire bright; Cheer his discouragement, soothe his affright, Lovingly help him to stand. Somebody near you is hungry and cold; Send him some aid to-day; Somebody near you is feeble and old, Left without human stay. Under his burdens put hands kind and strong; Speak to him tenderly, sing him a song; Haste to do something to help him along Over his weary way. Dear one, be busy, for time fleeth fast, Soon it will all be gone; Soon will our season of service be past, Soon will our day be done. Somebody near you needs now a kind word; Some one needs help, such as you can afford; Haste to assist in the name of the Lord; There may be a soul to be won." A KIND WORD. Within each soul the God above Plants the rich jewel,--human love. The fairest gem that graces youth Is love's companion,--fearless truth. William and Henry were clerks in a large wholesale establishment. They met one morning on their way to the store and proceeded together. After talking awhile on various subjects, the following dialogue took place:-- "By the way, William," said Henry, "I understand you were last evening at ----'s," naming a fashionable billiard saloon. "A mistake, Henry. I was never in a billiard saloon." "Well, I thought it very strange when I heard it." "Why so?" "Why?" said Henry in astonishment. "Why, because you are a religious young man and a church member." "Do you ever visit such places, Henry?" "Oh, yes; but that is quite a different matter. I don't profess to be a Christian, you know." "You would think it wrong for me to be there?" "Of course I should." "And right for you?" "Well, yes; there's no harm in my being there." "_Why_ not?" "Why, because--because I do not profess to be bound by the same obligations that you are." "And who has released you from those same obligations and imposed them upon me?" "Oh, well, now, there's no use in talking, William; you know that Christians do not and ought not to engage in what they consider pernicious amusements." "I certainly do know that they ought not; but I wish to know why it is wrong for them and right for others." "You know the fact that it is so."