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Hesper, the home spirit. Doten, Lizzie, (b. 1829).
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HESPER, THE HOME-SPIRIT. A SIMPLE STORY OF HOUSEHOLD LABOR AND LOVE.

BY

ELIZABETH DOTEN.

"CHARITY NEVER FAILETH."

BOSTON: ABEL TOMPKINS, 38 & 40 CORNHILL, BROWN, TAGGARD & CHASE,

1859.
page: iii[View Page iii]

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by A. TOMPKINS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

PREFACE.

IN pursuance of one leading idea, has this little work been written:—that of giving to true merit its due. The world is ever ready to celebrate the achievements of its conquering heroes, who, according to the conceptions of mankind, are noble and great, but the patient, persevering heroism of those in humble life, who struggle hard and suffer long, is passed by unnoticed. Many such there are who bear their cross of suffering in silence, and go down to the grave with their hard fought battles and moral victories unhonored and unsung. God and his angels alone take cognizance of such, or it may be, some soul who has known a life experience, sends out a warmly gushing fount of sympathy, to cheer these lone wanderers upon their way. It is not the great and overwhelming sorrows of existence, but the petty, inglorious vexations of daily life, that most severely test the soul's energies. They who can meet such trials with patience and firmness, page: iv-v (Table of Contents) [View Page iv-v (Table of Contents) ] gradually obtain the mastery, not only over circumstances, but also over themselves and others. It is one of the eternal laws of God that thus it shall be, and sure it is in its fulfilment, as the promise of his word. One thing only is needful for a complete and glorious victory, and that is "the love that never faileth," "that seeketh not its own, but another's good." The working of especial wonders and miracles, the dazzling manifestations of genius, and the great intellectual attainments which cause the world to wonder and admire, belong only to the few, but the power to Jove is a gift for all, from the highest to the lowest, and the one thing needful is what all may obtain. Mankind, however, are not content with what is so common, but are continually gazing upward for some more glorious manifestation of the Holy Spirit, but not till the "Angels in the House" and "The Home Spirits" are fully known and appreciated, will the celestial beings unveil their lovely countenances and walk with man as of old. When human hearts have learned to live and love aright, then will "the kingdom come." By love alone shall the world become regenerate and redeemed. God speed the day then, when its reign shall be universal and all the nations of the earth shall acknowledge its sway!

E. D.

Plymouth, December, 1858.

CONTENTS.

  • "Grant me, O God, a high soft star to be
  • Calm, still, and bright, to trace my way in heaven,
  • And shed my light o'er life's tempestuous sea,
  • While human hearts, like fragile barks are driven
  • 'Mid rocks and hidden shoals.
  • A soul 'mid glorious souls—
  • A small, pure star within the glittering band
  • That high above the clouds, undimmed and grand,
  • In placid beauty rolls,
  • To herald on the weary to the land
  • Where all is rest and peace; to guide the way
  • To Heaven's unclouded day!"

S. C. E. M.

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