Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/303

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MARY'S REWARD.

��295

��real childhood is in a condition of bond- age. Reversing the order of statement, we find this dual conception of legal op- eration affirmed in the sublime symbolism of the Apostle Paul, as he defines the contrast between the law and the gospel, speaking of "Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children ; but Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."

The organic basic law of society is an embodiment of a supereminently foster- ing benevolence. It is the social father and mother of us all. Clinging closer to its tender bosom, mankind realizes the highest collective awards; ignoring it. the race suffers the dreadful ban of out- raged integrity. The corporate form of human society will exact the last tribu- tary farthing of every refractory mem- ber. This thought is not restrictive in its application. It makes its appeal to high and low, rich and poor, strong and weak. Ruler and subject must bow be- fore the constitutional law of things. Yet, being the embodiment of essential benevolence, as implying the generative potentiality of a fulfilled corporate form, the organic law of society admits of no absolute partiality. It allows every in-

��dividual his rationally legitimate posi- tion in the corporate structure. The ra- tionally legitimate conception of this theme will alone give social peace. Through it, dispute, bickering, and war will cease even to the ends of the earth. The knowledge of the organic law of so- ciety is effected by the study of its cor- porate uses. When men seek to know the composite and correlative ends of individuals and things, instead of merely their simple relations, the true social sun will be seen to shine. The inculcation of this knowledge should begin in the nursery, where forms should be revealed in their natural, dependent relations, — the fruit upon the bough, the bough upon the branch, the branch upon the trunk, the trunk upon the root, and the root in the eartb. The principles of action and re-action should be illustrated as the ap- prehension enlarges. The method should be ^carried forward to the school, the academy, the college and the university; its conception should ramify the expres- sion of the rostrum, the press and the pulpit. The simple and abstract should pass away. The complex and concrete should occupy.

��MABY'S BEWABD.

��BY HELEN M. RUSSELL.

��CHAPTER I.

It is an evening in January. Coldly bright gleam themyraid stars, and round and full the moon sails through a cloud- less sky. The bustle of the day is over, although there are yet many people upon the streets. Some are hurrying briskly along, wrapped in costly furs, others are toiling slowly and wearily on their way, with hardly enough clothing to keep themselves from freezing. Toward the

south part of the city of C , upon a

retired street, stands a neat white cottage with green blinds. The moonlight falls softly upon it, stealing through the win- dows of the cosy sitting-room, lighting it with soft, gentle radiance. It rests

��softly upon the bowed head of a young man seated near the window. There is an unmistakable look of weariness or dissat- isfaction in the haudsome, flushed face as he raises his head at length with a heavy sigh.

" Sitting here in the moonlight re- minds me of our old happv life at Maple- wood, Mary," said he sadly. " I would give all I possess — which would be little enough, I know — to be as free from care as I was then. But it is late, I must go," he continued, rising from his seat.

A young girl, who is seated upon a lounge near by, arises quickly and ap- proaches him, saying gently:

" Brother, don't go out to-night. Stay

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