“We shall all, I fear, have much to suffer from the present war; and I truly grieve that such a considerable share of this suffering must be borne by the poor. We must learn from it this great lesson, that it is an evil and a bitter thing to depart from God; and let it be an inducement to instil more carefully than ever into the minds of our children principles of love and kindness, teaching them, especially, to forgive injuries, as Jesus did, instead of revenging them, which He told us not to do. Thus, when they grow up to have their influence as men and women, and to form a part of the great nation, they may in every way promote ‘_peace on earth_, and good-will towards men.’ I trust that He who hears the young ravens when they cry, and feedeth them, will, at this trying season, provide food for you and your children. For nothing is too hard for the Lord; and those among you, who really love and trust God, may derive the greatest consolation from the beautiful promise—‘None of them that trust in me shall be desolate.’ “I was reading, a little while ago, about a young woman who was early in life deprived by death of her nearest relations, and whose lot was to live with people who were extremely unkind, indeed even cruel, to her. She was a very amiable person, and pleasing in appearance. A gentleman, in a higher station of life than her own, was informed of her history; and, after a short acquaintance, made her an offer of marriage. The persons with whom she lived, instead of being glad at the prospect of such an improvement in her circumstances, were only the more exasperated against her; and, having the power, they refused to give her up until she was of age; and endeavoured to make her more unhappy than ever. A friend once remarked to her, that he wondered how she could bear such treatment. ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘I hardly feel it; it is to last so short a time! I only think of myself as the future wife of that kind gentleman.’ “I thought directly, that this was just the spirit in which we should pass through life. We should then be brave of heart, and not disheartened at our difficulties. It is, indeed, a wonderful thought that the poorest and meanest being who toils upon the earth may be heir to a state of happiness and glory too great for description; as it is said—‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.’