I will conclude by reminding you that, alongside of enthusiasm on one and several other points, you must, be you strong or weak, rich or poor, cherish undying enthusiasm for "friendship's ministry," which is the half of your solemn duty of service to God. So many people forget that it is not enough to feel love or affection for others unless they also show it and thus give pleasure and comfort, and ofttimes strengthening, to their friend. A word of sympathy does so much. Once after the death of a good clergyman whose labours had been very blessed, his friends expressed to his widow their appreciation of his noble life and work, and she, after thanking them for their kindly words, asked, amid her tears: "But why did you never tell him these things while he was living?" Yes, why not? Dr. Miller says: "Too many wait until those they love are dead, and then bring their alabaster boxes of affection and break them. They keep silent about their love when words would mean so much, would give such cheer, encouragement; and then, when the friend lies in the coffin, their lips are unsealed.... Let us not reserve all the flowers for coffin-lids.... Let us show kindness when kindness will do good. All about us move those who would be strengthened and comforted by the good cheer which we could give. It will make sorrow all the harder if we ever have to say beside the dead: "I might have brightened the way a little if only I had been kinder."" Never then, I beg of you, forget to be enthusiastic in this ministry of friendship, and if, combined with that, you entertain enthusiasm for other noble, worthy things, and try to kindle a like enthusiasm in others, you may, perhaps, at the end of your life be allowed to feel that you have, though perhaps but in a slight degree, "Made the world within your reach Somewhat the better for your living And gladder for your human speech." _Whittier._ * * * * * Transcriber's note--the following changes have been made to this text: Page 37: prefiguratious changed to prefigurations. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 981, October 15, 1898, by Various