May I Love suffereth long, and is kind; . . . love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.--1 Cor. xiii. 4, 5, 6, 7. ΑΝ N angel's is a fine, tender, kind heart. As if we could find a man who had a heart sweet all through, and a gentle will; without subtlety, yet of sound reason; at once wise and simple. He who has seen such a heart, has colours wherewith he may picture to himself what an angel is. THEY are without pride; they despise not us human creatures for our misery. Our dying, sinning, and suffering is to them a sorrow of heart. LUTHER. LORD, whomsoever Thou shalt send to me, Let that same be Veiled or unveiled, benignant or austere, Thine, therefore mine, elect. So may my soul nurse patience day by day, Obedient and at peace; Living a lonely life in hope, in faith; Loving till death, When life, not love shall cease. So, thou mine angel with transfigured face Brimful of love for me! Did I misdoubt thee all that weary while, For me as I for thee? Mar 2 CHRISTINA ROSSETTI. Are they not all ministering spirits ?—HEB. i. 14. Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.-S. MATT. xx. 26, 28. TH mous. HE life of the angels is the love of uses. Selfishness and death are with them synonyTheir offices, employments, and duties, all for the good of others, are of infinite variety. Many of them are engaged in secret and constant services to the human race. There are angels of birth and death; angels who comfort in sickness and sorrow; angels who instruct and enlighten; angels who defend from evil spirits; angels who lead the sweet thoughts of innocent children; angels who inspire conjugial love; and a thousand other genera and species of heavenly ministers. SWEDENBORG. IN heaven and earth, by will or nature, Nought lives for self-all, all-from crown to footstool The Lamb before the world's foundations slain- All spend themselves for others. May 3 CHARLES KINGSLEY. And He shall send forth His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together |