PREFACE. T HE design of this work is to rouse to honorable effort those who are wasting their time and energies through indifference to life's prizes. In the fur therance of this aim the authors have endeavored to gather from all possible sources the thoughts of those wise and earnest men and women who have used their pens to delineate life and its possibilities, its joys and its sorrows. They do not claim to have furnished more than the setting in which are placed these "GEMS" of thought gathered thus from sources widely different, Their hope is, that they may be able to rouse in the minds of the careless a sense of the value of existence. To those who are striving nobly for true manhood or womanhood, they would fain bring words of encouragement. They trust that many may derive from its pages inspirations which will serve to make real their hopes of success and happiness. CINCINNATI, January 1, 1880. Life ill spent-Life's Real Value-A Triumph or a Defeat-Power over Life-What True Life Means-Prospective View of Life-The Journey Laborious-Man does not live for himself-Failure or Success- Possibilities of Life-Steady Aim Necessary-Life a Struggle-Duty of Thoughts of Home-We never forget Home-Power of Home Thoughts-Home Memories-Home the Fountain of Civilization-Influ- ence of Home-Home Experiences-Home a Sensitive Place-Qualifi- cations of Home-Home Affections-In what a Home consists-Home Home Circle a Delightful Place-The Nursery of Affection-The Heart's Garden-Importance of Home Affections-Requisites of Home Love-Importance of Home Language and Habits-Home Circle the Center of Affection-Love an Important Element of Home Happiness— Children in Home Circle-Influence emanating from Home Circle- Care of Parents for Children-Children should return Parents' Love-Dangers of Forgetfulness on Part of Children-Duty of writing to and visiting Parents-Children should try to make Parents Comforta- ble and Happy-The Love of Mother to Son-Son's Duty to a Mother- Infancy the Morning of Life-Parental Anxiety during Infancy- Parental Responsibility-Parental Duty-Influence of Infants-Infants the Poetry of the World-Infancy and Death-Graves of Infants, |