American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-12
THAT WORD AGAIN.

How far one word of kindness will 90! If
we could only measure the effect Of generous
ook-of one considerate and sympathising ex-
preston, we would cultivate gentleness of
manner-a real generosity Of heart, as among
the highest means of good we possess,
Walking on Sabbath afternoon, some weeks
ago in an obscure part Of the town, we met an
acquaintance, coming out of an humble dwell
ing. He looked depressed "What ails you?"
we asked. con, nothing" was the reply,
''only there is a poor fellow in that room, far
away from his home, who | fear will never
live to see it again. Just go in and look at
him.
We did as bid. In narrow room, and on
a comfortless bed, there lay the sick man re-
duced to the very last extremity. He was OF
large frame, and had manly, Intelligent
countenance. At first, he seemed disturbed;
but when we told him, his friend who had Just
left, babe US come in, he gave us his hand; ana
the tears relied freely down his cheeks u
believe that man - said he, 'has saved me. |
have been sick these many days. have had
phvsic and all that was absolutely necessary
for me. But | have not had, during all this
long time. one home look-one word of that
kind of affection which goes right to the heart
and makes man wish to live, or ready to die,
until he came; he brought me this orange,
which seems the most delicious thing ever
tasted; he wept with me when | wept; ana
now, though my fever is raging high, fee! as
if must recover We comtortcd and en-
couraged as well as we could the sick man and
then left.
At night we returned again to the sick cham
Der. There we found our frend-rough as be-
fore in exteror-sunh burnt with hard outdoor
work-a common day laborer, in short, but
with the inner man as polished with high and
noble feeling as ever swayed his fellow, tend
ing the stranger, bathing his hot head with
cooling water, and shaking his parched thirst
with the juice of the orange
Il was a beautiful sight. The hearts OF the
t1o were one-their very looks told 1t. Oar
voice was choked as we gazed on the scene, and
we could not speak. Soon after the physician
entered: he examined his patient, and quickly
said, "Why you are better-your pulse Is more
regular, and, though the fever is not quite
gone, every symptom is favorable. mad CIV
en- you up. When did you perceive the
change?" ''When That brother came and
spakc to me as a brother. Oh, was so lonely
at heart; sicker than in the body; he relieved
me here, Dressing his bosom,) and since then
| have breathed freer, and felt better, y
Thank God!' murmured the physician
"What will not kindness do! 1t IS greater
than medicine; it heals when all else fails"
We called daily at the room of the stranger;
and daily saw him mendng. Very soon after,
indeed, he was able to walk out. And as soon
as he was thus able, he came TO us, and re-
peated to US chow touchingly we cannot ex-
press.) what he told us in the sick chamber,
that nothing but the kindness of his friend had
saved him. GLOW came you acquainted!n we
asked. owe belong to the order OF the sons
of Temperance; this was oar only first BOND OF
union; but that was enough; as any thing
would be enough which would draw the 'oef
to the bedside of the suffering sick, in sympa-
thy and affection. 60 happy man TO rest
in peace once more in the bosom OF an hnmo!e
but happy home
And truly did the stranger speak cup
orcold water given in a right spirit, sympa
thizinr look Mt the right time-a friendly cheei
when the heart is bowed down, and life ebhlng
fast, will rc-animate the body and the soul, re
store the sorowing to conteniment; the suffer
inc to happiness, and the sick to health
Who, then, should not feel like cuItivatins
his exceeding great virtue of benevoence 10
his o,rn sake: The man who does so, aud toI
laws the example Of the humble Son OF Ten
,aranco TO whom we have alluded, will b
Tjch in every good and great quality OF soul
We his purse lgh: or heavy.