Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. THE NECESSITY OF SIN AND ITS USES. I Said, if I might go back again To the very hour and place of my birth; Might have my life whatever I chose, And live it in any part of the earth; i Put perfect sunshine into my sky, Banish the shadows of sorrow and doubt; Have all my happiness multiplied, And all my suffering stricken out; If I could have known in the years now gone The best that a woman comes to know; Could have had whatever will make her blest, Or whatever she thinks will make her so; Have gained the highest and purest bliss That the bridal wreath and ring enclose; And chosen the one out of all the world That I might, or could, or would have chose; And if this had been, and I stood to-night By my children, lying asleep in their beds; And could count in my prayers, for a rosary, The shining row of their golden heads: Yea! I said, if a miracle such as this Could be wrought for me, at my bidding--still I would choose to hare my past as it is, And to let my future come as it will. I would not make the path I have trod More pleasant or even, more straight or wide; Nor change my course the breadth of a hair. This way or that, to either side. My past is mine, and I take it all, Its weakness--its folly, if yon please; Nay, even my sins, if you come to that, May have been my helps, not hindrances. If I saved my body from the flames Because that once I had burned my hand, Or kept myself from a greater sin By doing a less, --you will understand, --It was better I suffered a little pain, Better I sinned for a little time, If the smarting warned me back from death, And the sting of sin withheld from crime. Who knows its strength, by trial, will know What strength must be set against a sin; And how temptation is overcome He has learned