154 CHAPTER XIII. More Vacillation. Around our quiet Christian homes, More fearful far; he dogs our ways, VERSES FOR HOLY SEASONS. THE first face which Godfrey saw-the first hand which he grasped on his return to Athelling, was Barrow's. It was indeed a delight to both of them. Yet after a few minutes, both thought they saw something of a change in the other, and in a day or two Godfrey made up his mind that Barrow had grown much older, and Barrow thought Godfrey somewhat less simple and natural than he used to be. But these feelings wore away, and the two boys were as much to each other as before. If the reader ever thinks with pain, after absence and reunion, that those whom he loves are altered; and so feels inclined to be disappointed, and to undervalue the long wished presence of his friends and relatives; let him consider well before he is so ungrateful to GOD, and so unfaithful and distrustful towards the objects of his love, as to allow such fancies to dwell upon his mind. Doubtless there is a change; but then that change is seldom so great as long absence makes it seem, and is not improbably for the better. Doubtless he himself is changed also. Let him see that the alteration in him is not for the worse. Let him see that his home has not become less dear, because quiet pursuits and homely ways and thoughts have grown less attractive to him. Barrow was now captain of the school, and both the Doctor and the school were proud of him. Shortly after the quarter commenced, Dr. Wilson took the two friends out together for a long walk. The trees were half changed in colour, and every thing wore that bright, yet soothing chastening hue which is the characteristic of at clear autumnal evening. On and on they walked, and every turn of the road or a single thorn with its tints, often as numerous as those which enrich whole woods; or a fern, or a heath, the least of the beauties which are strewn before us, afforded them subjects of conversation and a succession of delights. After a time they got upon the Georgics, which were especial favourites of the Doctor; and he took occasion from the tenor which the conversation had taken, to say to Godfrey, "By the bye, Davenant, did you look out that word in Buttmann's Lexilogus ?" "No, Sir." "Why not?" "I put it off until I met with it again, Sir." "I thought so, and that was the reason that I inquired. I wish I could impress you with the necessity of meeting difficulties at once and as they occur if you put them off they only accumulate, and you very likely continue in some error. If you conquer obstacles at first, they are then not only no longer an hindrance, but they clear the way before them, and you go on step by step, easily and almost insensibly. Make it a rule to do so. Indeed, etymology, which you seem so careless of, is one of the most important branches of education, not merely as determining affinities between kindred languages, but as helping people to understand the great moral facts which lie at the foundation of all language. "How much, for instance, you learn of Greece, from finding that virtue is with them the quality of 'Apýs, and of the strength of family bonds in that nation whose Vesta is the goddess τῶν ἑστίων. Again, how important it is to note that in all languages the idea of duty is distinct from that of necessity, deî from xpý, debeo from necesse, ought from must. 'How much, too, from the fact, that our language is christianized just as our names are; that our mental abilities are 'talents' from one parable; our old hospitals Lazar houses' from another. "In doctrinal matters it is of infinite importance to attend to the meanings of words; and indeed it is very injurious to our own minds, to use terms which we do not enter into. For thus they lose their proper influence over us, and perhaps acquire one improper and injurious. "There is a very common instance of abuse of words which annoys me much. I cannot tell you how I regret that it has become so common for sons to call their fathers governors. "I see you smile, but I assure you there is more in my objection than at first sight appears. P The name of father is full of holy and reverend memories, and implies duties to be performed with love and cheerfulness. When this word then is superseded by another which conveys no other notion to the mind than that of power, which may be arbitrary, without affection and without claim, very serious evils are the consequence. Boys learn to look at their parent more as a restrainer and a tyrant than as a guardian and dear relative. "The notions of paternal authority and mere government are very different, and should never be confounded. A father is not a ruler in the sense in which Louis Philippe is, or the President of the United States. No: the idea of father is one idea founded on the feelings of the heart: the idea of government is another idea, and one which often appeals to the heart only through the reason. Both of them are intended to lead our thoughts up to GOD, as revealed in His double attributes of King and Father. The fires of Sinai revealed the first, the Incarnation of CHRIST declared the last. Any attempt like that of Lycurgus and of Plato to merge the office of parent in that of the State, and any mode of life which sets men free from the feeling of government, unless especially counteracted, are so many hindrances to the possession of right feelings and dispositions towards |