THE

HARMONIUM.

THAT BOOK IS THE MOST DELIGHTFUL WHICH BRINGS US INTO

"Books, silent sympathizers, faithful friends, unobtrusive advisers; they betray no
confidence, wound no sensitive heart, but afford consolation in adversity, and satisfac-
tion in prosperity."

"Were I offered," says Fenelon, "all the gold of Golconda, and all the crowns of
Europe, in exchange for my love of reading, I would scorn them all."

CHICAGO:

CULVER, PAGE, HOYNE & CO., PRINTERS.

1881.

To the dear departed ones, O. B., E. W. B. and G. G. B.,

This book is inscribed, with the

most tender and solemn

memory.

PRELUDE.

This bouquet is gathered from other minds' flowers.

The plan of this book is eclectic, and the title is distinctive of its character. The purpose is, to present in a brief and concise form, instructive, stirring and urgent truths, enunciated by the wisest and best souls, God's noblest men and women, who have striven to incite the mind to a higher order of living. These excerpts have been wrought together according to topics, in order to present them in a homogeneous form. They are designed to accentuate current facts and truths of science, religion, conjugal and social ethics; and to direct the mind to an intelligent observance of natural laws. Truth cannot triumph over error, until there is a general and diffusive knowledge of Law.

As the world is full of downcast, melancholy persons, or indifferent, stoical, lukewarm, shipwrecked characters, it seems that this incubus might be removed by a better knowledge of the science of life. Consequently, such selections have been made, as give expression to new ideas concerning true growth-intellectually, morally, spiritually, socially— those which expand the mind and lead to intellectual progressive prosperity and true spirituality. Evolution of morals is the first to be considered, as nothing is more