New York State History

The path of duty is always just where we can step into it. We do not need to go a great distance to find it. It is not something to be sought after, or something difficult to find. It is right before us, and so plain that we cannot mistake it for something else. Duty is not a hard, unfeeling master, and its pathway devoid of all sunshine. Whatever is duty is right, and right makes sunshine anywhere and everywhere in this world. If the path of duty leads up rough, high mountains, the sun must fall upon it; if in low, dim valleys, the light must touch it somewhere. It is God's hand that points out duty's pathway to us, and we should accept it as a divine gift, and be glad for the privilege of walking in it. Whatever comes from God is of great worth, and he will crown all our efforts to take it in the rightful way. Other paths, however bright they may appear, always lead us wrong. We know, too, when we are in them, and are unhappy at the entering of the false ways. The sweet morsel becomes bitter at the first taste, and if we keep on in darkened paths, we may wander very far from a loving God and become loveless and un-loved. The path of duty is forever safe and leads us always toward God and heaven.

Distant relatives are often the dearest.

EACH DAY'S PRIVILEGES.

Each day has its special privileges, as well as its special duties. The morning is a good time for considering in advance the duties. The evening is a good time for considering in retrospect the privileges. "What ought I to do to-day?" is a good-question to start out with. "What have I gained to-day?" is a good question to-wind up with.

The children of our brain are often treated like orphans.

Work is given to men not only, nor so much, perhaps, because the world needs it. Men make work, but work makes men. An office is not a place for making money; it is a place for making men. A workshop is not a place for making machinery, for fitting engine's and turning cylinders; it is a place for making souls, for fitting in the virtues to one's life, for turning out honest, modest, whole-natured men. For Providence cares less for winning causes than that men, whether losing or winning, should be great and true; cares nothing that reforms should drag their cause from year to year, bewilderingly, but that men and nations, in carrying them out, should find there education, discipline, unselfishness and growth in grace.