Part 11
A possession of transcendent value
Not measured by figures
Of the very first magnitude
Every man thinks his own copper gold
Whatever comes to his mill is grist
He is rich beyond all telling who——
It will be no inconsiderable acquisition to——
Of transcendent value
Than whom there could be no better
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
He who prizes little things is worthy of great ones
Would you know what money is? Go borrow some
A thing too much seen is little prized
As valuable as a Brazilian diamond
It is supremely worth while
A mine of wealth in itself
Of unusual value
Not to be underestimated
A tremendous asset
With sterling qualities
He is a man of solid acquirements
The most precious of all blessings
It merits serious attention
Of exceptional qualifications
Of no common sort
Appraised highly
A superior brand of——
VALUELESS
Useless Inconsequential
It cumbers the ground
Of no particular moment
Reduced to a nullity
What is of no use is too dear as a gift
Ammunition which does not explode
It serves no useful purpose
It vanished into thin air
Cheap and tawdry
Arid and unfruitful
An inconsequential detail
Of only relative and temporary worth
My day has been horribly dispersive
A mere dilettante
Utterly repudiated
A matter of secondary moment
Of small consequence
That proves next to nothing
Like a cipher
It is a matter of small consequence. _King Richard II._, V., 2
A trifle, some eight-penny matter. _I. King Henry IV._, III., 3
A deal of skimble-skamble stuff. _I. King Henry IV._, III., 1
It is idle to speculate on the outcome of——
It vanished like snow falling in the river
Unworthy of consideration
A dead issue
It matters not
It is immaterial
A seemingly inconsiderable circumstance
It is quite superfluous to——
Of no particular moment
It is idle to ask whether——
Of distinctly subordinate worth
Shrunk into insignificance
A petty matter of detail
Quite needless
Among the outworn things
VERIFICATION
Assurance Authentication
Verified by all human experience
A fact obvious to any student of history
We have every assurance that——
We can disabuse our minds of the——
I would make assurance doubly sure
It may be safely asserted that——
Surely there can be no reasonable doubt that——
We can all be more patient in the assurance that——
The best possible testimony to the soundness of the method is that——
We are always ready to give an answer for the faith that is in us
There will not be the smallest impropriety in it
Men want to know beyond a doubt or cavil that——
It must be accompanied by irrevocable guarantees
From highly responsible sources assurances are given that——
We gave him every possible assurance
Make yourself perfectly easy about——
Pawn to me this your honor. _Timon of Athens_, I., 1
VEXATION
Impatience Exasperation
A fit of nervous exasperation
Evidences of a reckless temper
An unpleasant passage of words
Impatient of delay
Exasperated beyond expression
Much piqued
Acting with the petulance of a child
Irritably self-conscious
Angry at the most minute provocation
Driven into nervous prostration
Thin-skinned in the presence of annoyances
Enough to imperil the habit of studied moderation of statement
The most exasperating of all nuisances
I was in the worst possible temper with——
Irritability that has some justification
I never before have known anything so provoking
He used most vigorous terms in referring to——
She hides all her vexation in her bosom
An error of the most exasperating sort
He is easily irritated
With the most astonishing perverseness
A weight of nerves without a mind
A few hot and bitter words
In utter exasperation
Petulant resentment
Sorely tired
A sore trial to his temper
It frets my soul to see——
A silly bit of petulance
A sulphurous state of mind
Exposed to petty tribulations
Exceedingly tantalizing
A suggestion of nervous tears
Very disconcerting
How uncomfortable is such an apprehension of——
VIRILE
Clean-cut Expressive
Ugly weather
A great mercy
The mildewed hand of famine
The loss of prestige
The famine of the heart
The terrors of uncertainty
A glory divine
A tinge of irony
Squirming over it
Atrophy of will-power
An ox-like stolidity
Back to prodigal ways
A lesson in moderation
Business capacity
Straining at the leash of——
Very acutely said
A coign of vantage
The horror of sin
A flattering tale
No waster of words
In the very pits of tragic life
The germinal ideal
The strategic opportunity
The dew of youth
The passion of hate
A law unto itself
The sequence of events
In a state of siege
A narcotic to the mind
A realizable aim
WARNING
Alarming Awakening
Wise in their own eyes. _Isa._ V., 21
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. _Isa._ LIV., 17
The way that leadeth to destruction. _Matt._ VII., 13
Punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. _II Thess._ I., 9
The last state of that man is worse than the first. _Luke_ XI., 26
The wages of sin is death. _Rom._ VI., 23
Outer darkness. _Matt._ VIII., 12
Be sure your sin will find you out. _Num._ XXXII., 23
The unfruitful works of darkness. _Eph._ V., 11
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. _II Cor._ XIII., 8
Past feeling. _Eph._ IV., 19
Admonish him as a brother. _II Thess._ III., 15
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. _Jude_ 23
Eternal judgment. _Heb._ VI., 2
That ye may consume it upon your lusts. _Jas._ IV., 3
A great gulf fixed. _Luke_ XVI., 26
In the bond of iniquity. _Acts_ VIII., 23
Whited sepulchres. _Matt._ XXIII., 27
When I begin, I will also make an end. _I Sam._ III., 12
The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. _I John_ II., 16
The tents of wickedness. _Ps._ LXXXIV., 10
Abomination to the Lord. _Prov._ XI., 20
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. _Gal._ VI., 7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. _Isa._ LV., 7
His enemies shall lick the dust. _Ps._ LXXII., 9
The way of transgressors is hard. _Prov._ XIII., 15
Fools make a mock at sin. _Prov._ XIV., 9
By thy wrath are we troubled. _Ps._ XC., 7
At their wit’s end. _Ps._ CVII., 27
A perpetual reproach. _Ps._ LXXVIII., 66
Blind guides which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. _Matt._ XXIII., 24
He that hath ears to hear let him hear. _Luke_ XIV., 35
Yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished. _Jer._ XLVI., 28
The wicked are like the troubled sea. _Isa._ LVII., 20
The axe is laid unto the root of the tree. _Luke_ III., 9
Lewd fellows of the baser sort. _Acts_ XVII., 5
They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. _Hosea_ VIII., 7
Worse than an infidel. _I Tim._ V., 8
A man of unclean lips. _Isa._ VI., 5
As he thinketh in his heart so is he. _Prov._ XXIII., 7
Terrible as an army with banners. _Solomon’s Song_ VI., 4
WEALTHY
Opulent Rich
Financially quite at ease
He has ample means
He is well supplied with worldly goods
He has no straitened income
He has a bottomless purse
Able to liquidate all just debts
He is rich enough who owes nothing
WHOLLY
Completely Entirely
From the cradle to the grave
From first to last
From alpha to omega
Until the last gun is fired
From the beginning to the end of time
WILLFUL
Selfish Mercenary
Intent upon amassing things for himself
For the self-aggrandizement of——
Impatient of any advice
An entire lack of reverence for authority
In spite of remonstrances he——
Intoxicated with pride
A heart buried in the task of money-getting
WISE
Able Sound
He passes everything through the alembic of his own mind
He is a man of his own mind
He is a formidable man with ideas
He grasps the subject in all its bearings
His calculations are sound
He makes singularly few false steps
He is far too astute for that
A man of thoroughly democratic sympathies
It is one of his wise and cardinal rules that——
He is eminently sane
He is a man of rare sagacity
Justified by common sense
With some sense of the fitness of things
Full of sterling sense
He has an eye for essentials
We can show the rationale of——
WORSHIPFUL
Devotional Prayerful
We bless thee for all uplifting ministries
Unite us all by the bonds of tender sympathy
Thou hast done great things for us, whereof we are glad
In thy great love do thou nourish the hearts that are given over to sore trial
With thine own gentle hand dry the tears of sorrow
Heal with balm from heaven the wounded spirit
Our days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle
Thou only hast the keys of all power
Send sweet messages of hope and love to all for whom we ought to pray
Pity those who have no pity on themselves
Out of the fullness of thy grace send us answers that shall make us glad
Raise again every buried hope
Give life again to all our noblest ambitions
Behold what manner of love thou hast bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God
Thou art able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think
Be thou with our dear ones——building up their homes and blessing their firesides
Unite us in the indissoluble fellowship of sympathy with the heart of Christ
Do thou speak comfortably to anxious hearts
Our days are a continuance of thy favor
We are living to praise thee
Inspire every soul with unusual gladness
Comfort those that mourn, may they be richer for their tears
Grant unto us the tender solaces of thy gospel, the sweet comfort of thy grace
We would make mention of thy loving kindness
Until we take our place in the city whose hills are light
Enable us to meet with gentleness and forbearance any opposition to our wishes
And when we shall have fulfilled thy purposes concerning us on earth may we be received into the everlasting mansions revealed to us through Jesus Christ our Lord
Fortify us by thy spirit against the temptations that await us
May the sweet influences of the Gospel gladden and redeem many hearts
Rule thou in our hearts
Fill us with holy thoughts and noble desires
May we be warned of sin and its dreadful consequences
We thank thee for the rich promises and precious hopes of the Gospel of thy Son
We would breathe into thine ear our gratitude for mercies so free
May our hearts glow with a renewed sense of thy love
(Fulfill in us Thy gracious promises)
Help us to cherish the heavenly disposition of Jesus Christ our Lord
Scatter the darkness from our minds by the beam of thy heavenly truth
Teach us how to attain that holiness which will make us holy like thee
Clothe us with all social and domestic graces
Help us to discharge our debt to the world
Daily we would supplicate thy mercy and protection
Make our duties plain before us
May we be inflexible in every good purpose
Unseal our spiritual vision
We pray for those who are languishing on beds of sickness and have wearisome days and nights assigned them
We are sorry that we are so fondly attached to the things that perish
Encompass our minds this day with thoughts of heaven
Wilt thou take us unto thy keeping this day
Pity our frailties
Inspire us with an abiding gratitude
In the defenseless hours of sleep thou hast preserved us
With the light of another morning we would lift our hearts to thee in grateful acknowledgment of thy goodness
Suffer not our ears to become dull to the cry of misery
May no day pass without thy blessing
May our hearts be open to the glad tidings
Keep us from distrustful thoughts
Give us a cheerful and unfailing confidence that Thou art at the heart of affairs
May our trials be borne with Christian meekness
May our difficulties work out for us some spiritual good
Encourage us in every right endeavor
May the thought that thou seest us check every wrong motive and evil impulse
Give us calmness and self-control under every disappointment and provocation
Fill our hearts with thy rich grace
Soften our sorrows
Grant us thy reviving grace
Fill us with thy perfect love
Cheer saddened hearts
In our spirits sweetly move
Sanctify our deep distress
ZEALOUS
Eager Ardent
Zealous of good works. _Titus_ II., 14
Labor of love. _I Thess._ I., 3
Rich in good works. _I Tim._ VI., 18
Fellow helpers to the truth. _III John_, 8
Doing the will of God from the heart. _Eph._ VI., 6
That with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. _I Pet._ II., 15
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come. _I Tim._ VI., 19
The laborer is worthy of his hire. _Luke_ X., 7
A pattern of good works. _Titus_ II., 7
We are laborers together with God. _I Cor._ III., 9
I will very gladly spend and be spent for you. _II Cor._ XII., 15
Let all things be done decently and in order. _I Cor._ XIV., 40
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet. _Eccl._ V., 12
Their nobles put not their necks to the work. _Neh._ III., 5
II
A SAMPLE LETTER SHOWING HOW THIS BOOK MAY BE USED IN PREPARATION OF SOCIAL LETTERS
HOW TO PREPARE A SOCIAL LETTER
For example, if one desires to write a letter of Condolence, let him turn to the GUIDE TO PHRASES, p. 279, and to the subheading “FOR LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE.” Then, guided by the references, select in the DICTIONARY OF PHRASES, such expressions as are most desirable, weaving them into a letter as in the following sample:
My dear ————,
[a]I know your heart must be sorely grieved at the loss of your dear father. [b]His name was never mentioned by us without the most tender regard. [c]No one ever displayed a sweeter spirit than he. [d]Be assured of our cordial esteem and fervent prayers.
Very sincerely yours,
[a] This sentence is found under Condolence, p. 147.
[b] This sentence is found under Commendatory (Of Persons), p. 23.
[c] This sentence is found under Commendatory (Of Persons), p. 21.
[d] This sentence is found under Concluding Assurances of Letters of Condolence, p. 162.
III
GUIDE TO PHRASES
FOR USE IN PREPARING ONE’S OWN LETTERS IF THE SAMPLE LETTERS ARE NOT SATISFACTORY
GUIDE TO PHRASES
For Letters of Apology
_See_ Samples, p. 312
_See_ Apology, pp. 6, 7, 40, 140, 141, 157
_See_ Condone, pp. 34, 35
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 164-168
For Letters of Congratulation
_See_ Samples, pp. 298-300
_See_ Conventional, pp. 155, 156
_See_ Compliment, pp. 29, 30
_See_ Approbation, p. 8
_See_ Deserving, pp. 62, 63
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 164-168
For Letters of Condolence
_See_ Samples, pp. 285-298
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Condolence, pp. 141-155
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
_See_ Courtesy, p. 41
For Letters of Commendation
_See_ Samples, pp. 298-300
_See_ Approbation, p. 8
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Compliment, pp. 29, 30
_See_ Courtesy, pp. 40-51
_See_ Deserving, pp. 62, 63
_See_ Letters, pp. 155, 156
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
For Letters of Introduction
_See_ Samples, pp. 301, 302
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
For Letters of Invitation
_See_ Samples, pp. 302, 303
_See_ Conventional, p. 157
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
For Letters of Recommendation
_See_ Samples, pp. 304, 305
_See_ Appreciation, pp. 7, 8
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Enthusiasm, p. 80
For Letters of Thanks
_See_ Samples, pp. 306-312
_See_ Complimentary, pp. 29, 30
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
_See_ Conventional, pp. 46, 50, 51
_See_ Letters, pp. 158, 159
_See_ Thanks, p. 250
IV
SOCIAL LETTERS
Life is not so short but there is always time enough for courtesy.――Emerson.
LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE
My dear ————,
I received to-day the sad word that ———— had passed away. I know that your heart is sorely grieved, and I hasten to send to you this little word of assurance of our love and sympathy. Trusting that you will write as soon as you have the heart, for I am anxious to hear from you, I am,
With warmest regards,
My dear ————,
We were exceedingly sorry to learn of your bereavement. There are many whom we have “loved and lost awhile.” But God will take us into their goodly company some glad day. We unite in sending our sincere sympathy.
With warm regards,
My dear ————,
We were so grieved to read in the paper of your great loss. Would that we were not so far away from you, or else we would surely try to comfort you with our presence.
Mrs. ———— and I send our best love and sympathy.
Faithfully yours,
My dear ————,
We were very sorry to read of your bereavement in the loss of your ————. Our prayer is that you may find great consolation in the thought that some day, in God’s own good time, you shall see ———— again.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I was saddened to hear of your recent loss. I need not tell you how often I think of you. With a prayer for every blessing upon you and your family,
Sincerely your friend,
My dear ————,
I regret exceedingly to hear of your sorrow. Do not try to explain to yourself so trying an hour, but bring into requisition all the faith and courage you can muster, and with confidence face the seeming dismal days.
Lean hard upon your good friends,
One of whom is
My dear ————,
We have heard with deep feelings of regret of the death, of your ————, and we offer you our most sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
Please accept condolences and sincere sympathy for the loss of my friend ————.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
Mrs. ———— shares with me the great sorrow which so many feel on account of the death of your ————.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I am deeply grieved by the news of your bereavement, and beg you to accept the expression of my profound and heartfelt sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I am greatly grieved to hear of the death of ———— for whom I had the utmost regard. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you in your bereavement.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
We send our love and our tenderest sympathy.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,
We are greatly afflicted by the melancholy intelligence which has reached us that ———— is no more with us. He carried the riches of God within himself, and was a royal-hearted man. He was greatly beloved by all of us. With a prayer for every blessing on yourself,
Affectionately your friend,
My dear ————,
Permit me to express on behalf of ———— and myself our deepest sympathy. May you find very great comfort in the thought that there is a time coming when there shall be no more death, neither sorrow.
Faithfully yours,
My dear ————,
I know not how to express my sorrow at the word which I have just received. Your ———— was such a sweet uncomplaining spirit. We shall miss ———— when next we come to ————.
I should be glad if I could suggest anything to lighten the burden, and make your path a little more smooth and easy.
Sincerely your friend,
My dear ————,
I know that your heart must be sorely grieved at the loss of your splendid ————. ———— knew the secret of beautiful living. We can console ourselves with the assurance that we shall some day see our loved ones in the brighter happier world above.
Sincerely your friend,
My dear Friend,
It is with great regret that we learn of the sad occurrence at your home. Please accept our united and sincere condolences.
With deepest sympathy,
My dear ————,
Words are inadequate to express my feelings at this hour. Exceeding great sympathy,
My dear ————,
We were exceedingly sorry to read of the death of your good ————. I wish I could suggest something to make your paths a little more smooth and easy. Perhaps the words “He knoweth” will be of comfort.
We unite in sending our affectionate regards to all.
Most sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
Let me send a little word of encouragement and sympathy in this dark hour of your life. And perhaps the best word is that which says: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Mrs. ———— and I offer you our most sincere sympathy. Let us have the comfort of hearing from you soon.
Faithfully yours,
My dear ————,
No words can quite express my sympathy in this time of deep sorrow. As long as I shall remember anything I shall remember ———— virtues and ———— kindnesses.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,