“The character of an individual beloved one having invested itself with all the attributes of right--that one friend being to us the symbol and representative of whatever is good and true,--when he falls, the effect is almost as if the sky fell with him, bringing down in chaotic ruin the columns that upheld our faith. We struggle forth again, no doubt bruised and bewildered. We stare wildly about us, and discover--or it may be we never make the discovery--that it was not actually the sky that has tumbled down but merely a frail structure of our own rearing, which never rose higher than the housetops, and has fallen because we founded it on nothing. But the crash, and the affright and trouble are as overwhelming, for the time, as if the catastrophe involved the whole moral world. Remembering these things, let them suggest one generous motive for walking heedfully amid the defilement of earthly ways. Let us reflect that the highest path is pointed out by the pure ideal of those who look up to us, and who, if we tread less loftily, may never look so high again.” Now, I have said my three words. You see they have stretched themselves out to a great length, but I hope the boys and girls who read this book may profit by them. Strive to be true, strive to be trustworthy, strive to be brave. In the long run the prizes of this world, and of that which is to come, are won by boys and girls of strong moral character, not by those who are merely learned or rich. But, of course, I believe in education and I believe in money. I think you ought to strive to obtain both--both are useful, and both are necessary; but, with all your getting, boys and girls, be sure to get those things which will reach beyond this world and which will count for more than money or good looks or education or any such thing when the world is on fire, when the moon shall be turned into blood, when the trumpet sounds, and all must go to stand before the Great King to give an account of the deeds done in the body. “A LAMP UNTO MY FEET.” Once upon a time, so it is said, a little ragged boy was carefully printing these words with a stick upon the ground, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” On looking up from his work, the little fellow was surprised to find a kind-looking old man watching him. “Where did you learn that, my boy?” asked the man. “At Sunday-school, sir.” “What’s your name?” “Crawford.” “So, Crawford, you learned that text at Sunday-school. Do you know what it means?” “No, sir.” “What is a lamp?” “A lamp? Why, sir, a lamp is a thing that gives light!” “That’s correct. Well, what is the word that the text speaks of?” “The Bible, sir.” “That’s right. Now, how can the Bible be a lamp and give light?” “I don’t know,” said the boy, “unless you light it and set it on fire.”