Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-09-27
THE POWER OF KINDNESS.

speaking in authority.
The ladwas at play. He looked towards
his father, but did not leave his COM
panions.
"Do you hear me, sir 2" spoke the father,
more siernly than al first.
With an unhappy face and relhc,ant step,
the boy left his play and approached his pa
rent.
"Why do you creep along at snaiPs
pace ?' said the latter, angrily. "Come
quickly, want you When speak look
10 be obeyed instantly. Here, take this note
10 Mr.. Smith, and see that you don't go to
sleep by the way. Now run as fast as you
can 60"
The boy took the note. There was
cloud upon hs brow. He moved away, but
a, a slow pace
'You Tom is !ha, doing as ordered =
Is that going quickly !'' called the father,
when he saw the boy creep away. "1f you
are no, back in half an hour, will punish
you"
But the words had but little effect. The
boys feelings were hurt by unkindness of
the parent. He experienced sense of in
justice ; consciousness that had been done
him. By nature he was like his father,
proud aud stubborn and these qualities Of
his mind were aroused, and he indulged in
them fearless Of consequences.
al never saw such boy" said the father,
speaking 10 friend who had observed the
occurrence. "My words scarcely made an
impression on him.n
"Kind words often prove most powerful I"
said the friend. The father looked sur
prised.
"Kind words,n continued the friend, Care
like the gentle rain and the refreshing dews;
but harsh words bend and break like The an
cry tempest. They first deveope and
strengthen good affections, while the others
sweep over the heart in devastation, and
mar and deform all they touch. Try him
with kind words, they will prove hundred
| fold more powerful"
! The latter seemed hurt by the reproof ;
but il left him thoughtful. An hour passed
away ere his son returned. AT times during
his absence he was angry at the delay, and
medi,aed The innction of punishment. But
the words of remonslrance were in his ears,
and he resolved 10 obey them. At last the
lad came slowly in with a cloudy couule-
nance, and reported the result of his errand.
Having stayed far beyond his time, he look
ed for punishment and was prepared 10 re-
ceive it with an angry defiance. To his
surprise, after delivering the message he
had brought, his father, instead of angry re-
proof and punishment, said kindly, "very
well, my son, you can go out aud play
again.
The boy went out, but was not happy
lie had dsobeyed and disobliged his father
and The thought of this troubled him. Harsh
words had not cIouded his mind nor aroused
a spirit of reckless anger. Instead Of Joining
his companions, he went and sal down by
himself, grieving over his act Of dsobedi
ence. As he thus sat he heard his name
called. He listened
"Thomas, my SON." said his father, kind
! ly. The boy sprang to his feet, and was al
most instantly beside his parent.
"Did you call, father %
IL did my son. Will yen take ihS pack
age 10 Mr.. Long for me l''
There was no hesitation in the boys man
ner. He looked pleased al The thought O
doing his father a service, and reached on
his hand for the package. On receiving il
he bounded away with light step
'There is power in Kindness" said III
father, as he sat musing, after The lads de
parure. And even while he sat musn
over the incident, the boy came back with
cheerful, happy face, and said
''Can do anything else for yon, father q
Yes, there is The power Of kindness. Th
tempest of passion can only subdue, con
strain, and break but in love and gentle
ness there is the power OF the summer rain
, the dew, and the sunshine.