GRAINS OF GOLD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 2, 10 January 1907, Page 3

GRAINS OF GOLD.

THE BRIG ' CONTENT.' Whoever would sail in the storm and gale When the white foam hissing flies, Or passage take when "Che blue seas make Fair mirrors for cloudless skies, Will ne'er repent that they journeying went In a barque that's stout and strong, m Bearing the name, the brig % content * On a voyage short, or long. This gallant barque in the light or dank Sails weir o'er a sullen, sea, And when breakers roar on a rock-bound shore She rides in security, And ftappy are' they wno when shadows grey Tell that the day is spent, Per the sea of Life, in calm or in strife, 'Have sailed in the brig ' Content.' — 'Aye Maria. 1

A vine bears three grapes— the first of pleasure, the second of drunkenness, the third of repentance.

In the shipwreck of' any life there might alrhost always be a last chance^of 'safety left, did not dishonor take her, place on the -plank.

In affliction, say -in the loss of a beloved member of ,your family, despite every attention, natural and, supernatural, the true Christian, the true Catholic, however sorrowful at heart, must. be submissive to the Will of God. ' Blessed are they who mourn ; they shall be comforted.'

Did you ever see a mother bird teaching her little - ones to fly ? She makes the nest so uncomfortable that they- are obliged to learn the use of -their wings.-'' The , 'discipline of- life is mercifully arranged to teach us to; use our wings— the powers, that lift us "heaven-" wardr- And these same wings .can .enable us- to- fly above and over many of. our troubles and to "live in the sunshine on the mountain top while in the yalley the storm rages. - Sorrow is sorrow wherever you find it,- and no bank account can purchase immunity. A grave is a 'grave, whether there is' a costly, monument above . it~ or only a headstone of marble. When you reckon with actual experience you discover they are independent of wealth °x P? v " ertv and com e to all alike, and when you look at the hearts 'of men you find the same measure of human nature in them all. Now, when we Wee our departure," what shall we carry with us ?