forming an indissoluble bond between man and his Creator; as it is through it the divine perceptions are shadowed forth in visible types of the Infinite, and recognized by a corresponding artistic combination of the immortal attributes of the human soul. I immediately engaged myself as a pupil under the instruction of one of the most celebrated masters, and succeeded beyond my most sanguine expectations. After sufficient practice, I undertook a sketch of my mother from memory. I was advised not to make the attempt as it would probably prove a failure and dampen my ardor. But my soul was alive with the idea, and nothing could deter it. Here my anticipations were also realized, and the result was a most perfect representation of her features and expression. Even the eyes beamed with the serene radiance of faith and hope which constituted such a beautiful feature of her daily life. That picture has ever since been my guiding star to lead me to a higher life. In it I read the sweet words of forgiveness so much desired, and the loving spirit of charity needed to make me lenient toward the faults of erring humanity. Formerly I had been too exacting, holding others to the rigid standard I proposed to myself, and expected to carry out, which is well if done in the right spirit. As I found in my own experience, no person knows his own power to withstand surrounding influences until exposed to the temptation. That mercy we ask for ourselves we must show unto others, and judge them by their different temperaments and comparative education and advantages. After sufficiently qualifying my-
