THE BEAUTIFUL. 121 



all earth's gloom, for even the clouds, when they must 

 weep, are still radiant with the light of heaven. 



You will pardon a few parting sentences, such as 

 manhood may speak to youth. I would leave you these 

 words of encouragement. I would they might be words 

 of inspiration. Hard trials will come, but be beautifully 

 brave ; be beautifully resigned ; be beautifully hopeful. 

 Seek for the brightness of the world. You have placed 

 open the doors of your souls for the admission of knowl- 

 edge, and culture, and discipline, and gentleness. These 

 guests of your soul have garnished it, and added beauty 

 is shining from your eyes and beaming from your fea- 

 tures. Let the doors stand open. Give generous hospi- 

 tality to these angel agencies of loveliness of character. 

 Press into the presence of the beautiful and hold living 

 communion with it, the harmonious, the graceful, the 

 brave, the faithful, the devoted, the patient, the hopeful, 

 the pure. Think on them. Learn chief of all to admire 

 and strive after the beauty of character exemplified in 

 Him who knew no guile, and who offered his life for 

 love of a world which had rejected him. Then, after 

 having enjoyed the beauty of God's world, you will leave 

 behind you the memory of a beautiful life, and renew 

 existence in the smile of Him whose unfailincj love, in 

 earth and sea and heaven, in song and smiles and tears, 

 in life, and even in death, reveals itself in the Beautiful. 



