Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-03-04
EDGEFIELD, Sc, MARCH 4, 1852
The Power of Kindness.

IL lkC u ~ VI 1AApShASooe
"Tom! Herew said a father TO his
boy, speaking in tones of authority.
The lad was at play. He looked to-
wards his father, but did not leave his
companions.
"Do you hear, sirp' spoke the father
more sternly than at first.
With an unhappy face and reluctant
step, the boy left his play, and approached
his parent.
"Why do you creep along at a snail's
pace2" said the latter, angrily. "Come
quickly! l want you. When [ speak
look to be obeyed instantly. Here, take
this note to Mr.. Smith, and see that you
don't go to sleep by the way. Now run
as fast as you can CO."
The boy took the note. There was a
cloud upon his brow He moved away.
but at slow pace.
"You, Tom! Is that doing as I order.
ed Is that going quickly" called the
father, when he saw the boy creeping
away. eff you are not back in half an
hour, I will punish you."
But words had little effect. The boys
feelings were hurt by the unkindness o.
the parent He experienced a sense o
iniustice-a consciousness that wrong had
been done him. By nature he was like
his father, proud and stubborn; and these
qualities of his mind were aroused, and
he indulged in them, fearless Of conse'
quences.
"Inever saw such boy" said the ia.
ther, speaking to a friend who had OBJ
served the occurrence. "My words
scarcely made an impression on him."
"Kind words arc often most powerful,
said the friend.
The father looked surprised.
Kind words" continued the father.
care like the gentle rain and refreshing
dews; but harsh words bend and break
like tho angry tempest. The first develops
and strengthen good affections, while the
others sweep over the heart in devasta'
ton, and mar and delorln all they touch
Try him with kind words; they will prove
an hundred fold more powerful"
The father seemed hurt by this reproof;
but it left him thoughtful. An hour pass.
ed ere his boy returned. At times during
his absence, he was angry at the delay;
and meditated the infliction Of punisfI'
ment. But the words of remonstrance
were in his ears, and he resolved to obey
them. At last the lad came slowly in.
with cloudy countenance, and reported
the result of his errand. Having stayed
far beyond his time, he looked for punish,
ment, and was prepared to receive it in a
spirit of angry defiance. To his surprise.
after delivering the message he had
brought, his father, instead of IN angry
reproof and punishment, said kindly,
Every well, my son; YOU can go to your
play again
The boy went ont, bnt was not happy.
He had disobeyed and dsobliged his ia
ther, and the thought OF this troubled him.
Harsh words had not clouded his mind,
nor aroused a spirit of reckless anger.
Instead of joining his companions, he
went and sat down by himself, grieving
over his acts Of disobedience. AS lie sat
thus he heard his name called. He lis
tened!
"rhomas, my son." said his father,
kindly. The boy spraug to his feet, and
was almost instantly beside his parent.
"Did you call, father?"
al did, my son. Will YOU take this
package to MIR. Long for me Z"
There was no hesitation in the boys
manner. He looked pleased at the thought
of doing his father a service, and reached
ont his hand for the package. On re-
ceiving it, he bounded away with light
step.
aTherc is power in Kindness" said
the father, as he sat musing, after the lads
departure. And even while he sat musing
over the incident, the boy came back, and
with cheerful, happy face, said,
"Can do anything else for you, ia
there"
Yes, there is a power in kindness. The
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 dow, and the sunshine.