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Nourishing Grief.

Tears are not forbidden, nor will submission to
the will of God always dry them up, the heart
may bleed, while it bends to the stroke.

But while the Christian is not called
upon to be a Stoic, he should not like Jacob
refuse to be comforted. There is always some-
thing to sweeten the bitter cup, and if there
is no other alleviation, there is always this,
that the Lord hath done it.

Suppose a dear loved one is removed by death
and we feel that they are gone where they will
sin no more, and when there is no more
sorrow or suffering, what shall we do?
sympathise in their happiness, or sit down
and pity ourselves. Shall we look out on the
glorious government of God, and rejoice to
see it rolling on? or shall we be constant-
ly looking down on our own little plans
that lie crushed beneath it? Shall we with
an eye of faith, look forward to a reunion.
or give ourselves up to those sweet memories,
those tender recollections, which enervate the
soul and take away her wings.

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