Life-Influencing Maxims: Comfort to the Afflicted

LIFE INFLUENCING MAXIMS.

COMFORT TO THE AFFLICTED.

BY HON. HYRUM RICKS, PROBATE JUDGE OF FREMONT COUNTY, IDAHO.

One of old has said, "God is displeased with none except those who will not acknowledge his hand in all things." This scripture came to me in the middle of the night twentyfive years ago, when I was a boy sixteen years of age, and it has

had a deep and lasting effect upon my life ever since. I was born with deformed feet, and like most afflicted persons, I have always been very sensitive. I have often imagined that I was slighted and overlooked when there was no real intention to do me a wrong. I have sensed this fault in myself and have struggled hard all my life to be considerate and forgiving, and overcome it. On the night above referred to, I went to a Sunday School dance. My young companions were happy and gay; their movements were graceful. The sweet strains of music from the quadrille band thrilled me and quickened every fibre of my sensitive nature. As I looked upon the joyous faces of my young friends, I sensed deeply my affliction and my inability to take any part in the pleasures of the evening. Tears began to roll down

my cheeks and before I could regain control of my feelings, a good sister of mature years noticed me, and came to me with kind and sjmipathetic words. Others joined her. I could not answer their inquiries as to why I wept, I was too full; my sorrow was too deep.