The Cloud of Witness Friday

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Friday. Tenth after Trinity.

Sympathy.

Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.--I Cor. xii. 26.

I ask Thee for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles
And wipe the weeping eyes;
And a heart at leisure from itself
To soothe and sympathize.
Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoe'er estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate,
And a work of lowly love to do,
For the Lord on Whom I wait.
A. L. Waring.

Mystical, more than magical, is that communing of Soul with Soul, both looking heavenward! Here properly Soul first speaks with Soul.
Carlyle.

'Tis but brother's speech we need,
Speech where an accent's change gives each
The other's Soul!
Browning.

No distance breaks the tie of blood,
Brothers are brothers evermore,
Nor wrong, nor wrath of deadliest mood
That magic may o'erpower:
Oft ere the common source be known,
The kindred drops will claim their own,
And throbbing pulses silently
Move heart towards heart by Sympathy.
So it is with true Christian hearts;
Their mutual share in Jesus' blood
An everlasting bond imparts
Of holiest brotherhood.
Oh! might we all our lineage prove,
Give and forgive,--do good and love,--
By soft endearments in kind strife
Lightening the load of daily life!
Keble.