PREFACE.

Who among the readers of this preface has not been invited to write a few words of sentiment in the Album of a friend? As an aid to the many thousands who have received this invitation, and have not known what to write, we offer this collection of choice verse and prose, as an aid to them and all others, with the hope that our labor shall not have been spent in vain, nor be altogether unappreciated. Great care has been taken to procure as many original pieces as possible. Many choice verses suitable for Birthday, Christmas and New-Year celebrations, have been added; which, with the collection of articles embracing sentiment, affection, humor, and miscellany, is offered to a generous public by

DEDICATION VERSES SUITABLE FOR INSCRIPTION ON TITLE PAGES OF ALBUMS.

SENTIMENT and AFFECTION

May the chain of friendship formed by the links which are dropped here, serve to unite you more closely in spirit with the friends who have worked it.

May each link be brought to a white heat in the fires of Love; and, forged on the anvils of Truth, may they be strong as iron, yet light as air: keeping you bravely to the duties of Life. And when the chain of human bondage shall be broken, may they become flowers of eternal brightness in the gardens from whence cometh exceeding peace.

10The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without adversity.

Time advances like the slowest tide, but retreats like the swiftest current.

Daily we write our autographs on the minds and hearts of those around us.

“Poor is the friendless master of a world. A world in purchase for a friend, is gain.”

A volume of this kind, it is supposable, will be more or less frequently referred to, in future years, to revive fading recollections and recall pleasant associations; and, therefore, though it is so easy to moralize, it seems eminently fitting that helpful suggestions should accompany familiar autographs.

Let me say, then, that while in your youth a favorable combination of circumstances permits so much of happiness, the conditions of its enjoyment cannot always remain as now.

As the responsibilities, at present borne for you, shall come to rest on your own shoulders, and the darker shades of life’s history are unfolded, you will find the peace, which floweth like a river, only in the degree in which you resolutely perform every known duty; and, forgetting your own wants—whether fancied or real—devote your thoughts, as well as your energies, to making the society in which you move, happier for your being.

That you may indulge in no selfish ease; but bestow, as well as enjoy, a full share of the pleasures of time, and afterward receive a crown of glory, is the earnest wish of your friend—

13That one who can work right on, quietly waiting for recognition, if it come: if not, yet right on, is the true nobleman.

14These little souvenirs possess not their greatest value when first written; but as time, with scythe in hand, passes along, and we are left standing, we are not the same, but these lines remain. Some, to cheer the saddened by awakening slumbering memories of better things; and others serving as guide-boards on the road to eternity.

As you travel through life, scatter kind words and gentle deeds; in so doing, you will enrich your soul. Withhold them, and it tends to poverty.

May your life be like the day—more beautiful in the evening; like the summer—aglow with promise; and, like the autumn, rich with the golden sheaves, where good works and deeds have ripened on the field.

18May your coffee and slanders against you be ever the same—without grounds.

May there be just clouds enough o’er your life to cause a glorious sunset.

23We are all placed here to do something. It is for us, and not for others, to find out what that something is, and then, with all the energy of which we are capable, honestly and prayerfully to be about our business.

May thy darkest hours in life be well lighted with the sunshine of contentment.

MISCELLANEOUS.

We could count time by heart-throbs; he most lives who thinks most, speaks the noblest, acts the best.

There is seldom a line of glory written upon earth’s face, but a line of suffering runs parallel with it; and they that read the lustrous syllables of the one, and stoop not to decipher the spotted and worn inscription of the other, get the least half of the lesson that earth has to give.

Let your life be like a snowflake, which leaves a mark, but not a stain.

Make good use of time, if thou lovest eternity; yesterday cannot be recalled—to-morrow cannot be secured—to-day only is thine, which, if once lost, is lost forever.

In time we transact business for eternity; whatever, therefore, we do now, should be done well.

They who have light in themselves, will not revolve as satellites.

As the shadow of the sun is largest when his beams are lowest, so we are always least when we make ourselves the greatest.

Every hour comes to us charged with duty, and the moment it is past, returns to Heaven to register itself how spent.

Write your name by kindness, love and mercy upon the hearts of those you come in contact with, and you will never be forgotten.

34If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counsel, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.

Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Hope the best, get ready for the worst, and take what God sends.

Be content with the lot God has marked out for you. Love, honor and obey Him in all things, and your last days will be peaceful and happy.

May the morn of thy life be bright and joyous, the noontide peaceful and happy, and the sunset gloriously hopeful, is the wish of your friend.

Life, Death and Immortality—these three—the first, the Road—the second, the Gate. May you walk safely the first, pass triumphantly the second, and rest forever in the third.

Evils in the journey of life are like the hills which alarm travelers upon their road; they both appear great in the distance, but when we approach them, we find them far less insurmountable than we had conceived.

It has been beautifully said: The water that flows from a spring does not congeal in winter; and those sentiments which flow from the heart cannot be chilled by adversity.

May we always remain as good friends as we are neighbors.

On this spotless page my pen essays to trace a record of affection; and, as I write, a wish is in my heart that, for thee, every life-leaf will be written with the golden pen of love.

ESTEEM and CONFIDENCE.

He who does good to another, does also good to himself—not only in the act, but in the consciousness of well-doing is his reward.

In the evening of life, cherish the remembrance of one who loved thee in its morning.

Guard well thy thoughts; our thoughts are heard in heaven.

May He who hath pencilled the leaves with beauty, given the flowers their bloom, and lent music to the lay of the timid bird, graciously remember thee in that day when He shall gather His jewels.

BIRTHDAY VERSES.

Your Birthday will always be green in the memory of your friends.

May these flowers, presented on your birthday, be emblematical of the purity of your life.

May the morning of thy birth break in gladness, and the day teem with light-hearted mirth that shall last always!

HUMOROUS.

CHRISTMAS and NEW-YEAR VERSES

This is the most humorous book ever issued from the Press. The One Hundredth Thousand has just been issued, and the demand for it is still increasing. One editor says of it: “It made us laugh till our sides ached and the tears came.” Another says: “It will drive the blues out of a bag of indigo. It is worth a dollar, but costs only ten cents.” One reader says of it: “I received the Bad Boy’s Diary you sent me, and as most of my family are killed by laughing over it, you may send another copy, so I can dispose of the rest of them in the same happy manner.”

It contains 48 pages and is handsomely illustrated. Sent by mail on receipt of Ten Cents.

“It excels Mark Twain for genuine humor.”

This is one of the most humourous books of the present day, showing in a manner pleasing to all readers the trials, tribulations, expectations, and actual experiences of a “minister’s wife” in a country parish. The characters represented are true to life, and will doubtless bring to the mind of the reader remembrances of events and individuals within their own knowledge. It contains 64 pages, with handsome engraved cover. Price Ten Cents.

gathered from the writings of authors of “A Bad Boy’s Diary.” Josh Billings, Mark Twain, Detroit Free Press Man, Burlington Hawkeye Man, Max Adeler, and other funny men and women.

This is, indeed, a whole bushel of funny things, well shaken down, and running over with fun and good humor. It contains 64 pages, and is handsomely illustrated. Price Ten Cents.

☞ The above books are for sale by Newsdealers and Booksellers. Either of them will be mailed on receipt of price by the Publishers.

Address,

1. Initials used by telegraph operators.