Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-17
POWER OF KINDNESS.

" w Ell vi NLGNOANAAJ9-
Tom! Here = said father to his boy,
speaking in tones of authority.
The lad was at play. He looked towards
his father, but did not leave his companions.
Do you hear me, sir?' poke the father
more sternly than at first. ,-s.s
With an unhappy face and reluctant step
the boy left his play and approached his
parent. ~ :
Why do you creep along at snail's
paccf' said the latter, angrily. Come
quickly, I want you. When l speak. /
look to be obeyed instantly. Here. take
this note 70 Mr.. Smith, and see that you
don't so to sleep by the way. Now run as
fast as you can GO H
The boy took the note There was a
cloud upon his brow. He moved away, but
at slow pace. iif~ fsi n
You Tom! Is that doing as orderedf
Is that going quickly?' called the father,
when he saw the boy creeping away. If
you are not back in half an hour, / will pun
ish you
But the words had but little effect. The
boy S feelings were hurt by the unkindness
Of the parent He experienced a sense Of
injustice consciousness that wrong had
been done him. By nature be was like his
father, proud and stubborn and these quail
tiles of his mind were aroused and be indul-
ged in them, fearless of consequences. 1. .-
never saw such boy, said the father,
speaking to friend who had observed the
occurrence. My words scarcely make an
impression on him. -
Kind words often prove most powerful,
said the friend. The father looked sur
prised.
Kind words, continued the friend, are
like the gentle rain and the refreshing dews /;
, but harsh words bend and break like the an
cry tempest. The first develop and strength
en- 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 an hundred fold
!, mUre powerful =.
The latter seemed hurt by the reproof j
but it left him thoughtful. An hour passed
b away ere his boy returned. At times du-
: ring his absence he was angry at the delay
t and meditated the infiction Of punishment.
S But the words of remonstrance were in bis
r ears, and he resolved to obey them. AT
e last the lad came slowly in with a cloudy
r countenance, and reported the result of his
1t GRAND. Having stayed far beyond his time
y he looked for punishment, and was prepared
e to receive it with an angry defiance. To
!, his surprise, after delivering the message he
e had brought, his father, instead of angry
u reproof and punishment, said kindly, very
we'll, my son, you can 20 out to play again.
/, The boy went out but was not happy
l. He had disobeyed and disobliged his father
and the thought of this troubled him. HarsE
words had not clouded his mind nor arouset
: a spirit of reckless anger Instead Of ioin
Ie ing his companions, he went and sat dowr
lie by himself, grieving over his act of disobedi
le ence. As he thus sat he heard his namt
ID called. He listened.
Thomas, my son, said his father, kind
ly. The boy sprang to bis feet, and wa
almost instantly beside his parent.
v Did you call, father?' sw u
: 1 did. my son. Will you take this PACK
e age to Mr.. Long for me 2 ss
IS There was no hesitation in the boys man
m ncr. He looked pleased at the thought q
ID doing his father a service, and reached ou
er his hand for the package. On receiving il
lis he bounded away with light step.
There is a power in Kindness said th
in father, as he sat musiRg, after the lads de
its parture. And even while he sat musin
;ts over the incident, the boy came back wit
r.. a cheerful, happy face, and said a
r. Can l do anything else for you, father 2
h. Yes, there is the power of kindness
The tempest of passion can only subdue
constrain and break but in love and gen
tleness there is the power of the summer rain
D the dew and the sunshine.
A. 1-2.