Life and Literature Part 137

1907

_Thought._--How often must we repeat it?--rules the world.

--_Carlyle._

1908

At a dinner when Daniel Webster was Secretary of State, after a period of silence which fell upon the company of some twenty gentlemen who were present, one of the guests said, "Mr. Webster, will you tell us what was the most important thought that ever occupied your mind?" Webster slowly pa.s.sed his hand over his forehead, and in a low tone enquired of one near him, "Is there any one here who does not know me?" "No; all are your friends." "The most important thought that ever occupied my mind,"

said Webster, "was that of my individual responsibility to G.o.d." And after speaking on this subject in the most solemn strain for fully ten minutes, he silently rose from the table and retired to his room. This incident serves to ill.u.s.trate the att.i.tude of great minds towards eternal things. Great men are not scoffers. The men of flippant jeers and G.o.dless jests are invariably men of small calibre and shallow intellect.

1909

First thoughts are not always the best.

--_Alfieri._

1910

In matters of conscience, first thoughts are best; in matters of prudence last thoughts are the best.

--_Rev. Robert Hall._

1911

To be without evil thoughts is G.o.d's best gift.

--_Aeschylus._

1912

It is said, the thumb is stronger than all the other fingers together.

1913

THUNDER.--A LOVER OF

Such was the spirit of a venerable [1913:A]patriarch--who shed on a very humble station the l.u.s.tre of brilliant graces--that, when the storm sent others in haste to their homes, he was wont to leave his own, and to stand with upturned face, raised eye, and with his grey head uncovered, to watch the flash and listen to the music of the roaring thunder. How fine his reply to those who expressed their wonder at his aspect and att.i.tude--"It's my Father's voice, and I like well to hear it!" What a sublime example of the perfect love that casteth out fear?

--_From Memoir of Guthrie._

FOOTNOTES:

[1913:A] Jamie Stewart, Dr. Guthrie's first preceptor.

1914

There is scarcely any one who may not, like a trout, be taken by tickling.

--_Southey._

1915

Time is a great master, he sets many things right.

1916

With thee conversing I forget all time.

--_Milton._

1917

The happier the time, the quicker it pa.s.ses.

--_Pliny, the Younger._

1918

Since time is not a person we can overtake when he is past, let us honor him with mirth and cheerfulness of heart while he is pa.s.sing.

--_Goethe._

1919

How noiseless falls the foot of time.

--_W. R. Spencer._

1920

An hour lost in the morning is never found all day.

1921