due season, from its shell. Even so that living truth, dropped without thought, unfostered, save by heaven's quickening heart, may rise betimes in glorious growth.
A casual word of praise has colored a whole existence; that single word, that passing breath, touching the bended bow of Destiny, has given direction to the arrow's flight, has decided the future career of the man; even as a mother's kiss of approval made Benjamin West a painter.
A word of kind encouragement has imparted to latent powers an impetus that made some shrinking soul thrill, palpitate, expand with the sense of its own undeveloped capabilities, the consciousness of what it might achieve, the prescience of what it would become.
An earnest word of guidance has woven a golden thread, strong and bright, in the web of a life.
A tender word—oh! it has fallen like manna, and nourished and revived the hungry, pining heart; it has softened sorrows no poured-out gold could soothe; it has healed wounds no Galen's skill could reach; it has lifted up prostrate heads. no Titan's strength could raise; it is the talismanic pearl of all speech.
A soft word, that turns away wrath; how great is its might! It has warded off the cutting assaults of a sharp tongue, even as a polished shield causes the keenest weapon to glance aside. It has disarmed more enemies than the sword ever conquered.
