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It is not until we begin to take note of the sympathies, affections, generous emotions of which man is capable, that we recognize another and inner nature, which may be concerned and moved by considerations that don't depend upon sensations, or selfish instincts and are not, in their very essence, animal at all. In every day language, this is the heart and the heart-life of man.
The danger of sneering at friendship is that it may be discarded or neglected, not in the interests of a more spiritual affection, but to minister to a debased cynical self-indulgence. There is possible to-day, as ever, a generous friendship which forgets self. The history of the heart-life of man proves this. What records we have of such in the literature of every country!
Fortunately, even in the case of such men and women, if they marry and have children, some of the joy and meaning of this heart-life is still vouchsafed them. They feel it for their sons and daughters. If they have no children and are unmarried, there are mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters to keep alive some measure of sympathy and endearment.
Poverty, if it be too oppressive grinding down the face, may often hurt the heart-life; but perhaps oftener still it only reveals what true treasures there are in the wealth of the affections. Whereas, we know what heartburnings, and rivalries, and envyings, are occasioned by this golden apple of discord.
The three little graves in the churchyard bore the names Griselda, Irene and Launcelot; and on each we put the text, spelt out by the initials of our darlings' names: GOD IS LOVE. And in our own heart-life we experienced the great calm and peace of a faith which had come through the deepest depths of sorrow. We were sustained by the certainty of the love of God.
But when we were parting, when his tones trembled so, when overcome, he lost restraint and snatched me to HIS heart then I learned that I, too, had a heart." If she had been given time this new heart-life, with thoughts and hopes springing from it like flowers, would have restored her elasticity.
"Men can not be too strongly warned against the tendency of embellishing everything that concerns the heart-life, and this is the inclination of most people. "The causes of this propensity are many and the need for that which astounds is not the only cause to be mentioned. "Indolence is never a stranger to illusion. "It is so delightful to foresee a solution which conforms to our desires!
I cannot conclude this brief chapter without expressing my deep obligations to that noble organization, the "American Tract Society," which has given a wide circulation to many of my books including "Heart-Life," "Newly Enlisted; or, Counsels to Young Converts" and "Beulah-Land," a volume of good cheer to aged pilgrims on their journey heavenward. Gladstone. Dr. Brown. Dean Stanley.
The truth of it is embedded in portentous error and falsehood; but the truth of it makes it be believed, not the falsehood: it succeeded by its truth. A bastard kind of Christianity, but a living kind; with a heart-life in it; not dead, chopping barren logic merely!
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