Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-03-02
Sneak Kindly.

Speak Kindly.
From pretty little article that came under
our notice not long since, termed A Travel
Trihe, we CLEANED the sentiment: He that
has dried single tear has not lived in vain
With the cleaning came thoughts of our own
-remembrances of hearts rich in sympathy,
who in days gone by had given us kind words
and loving smiles, soothing Us in our desola-
ton and, though words came not IN return,
for there are times when grief is too deep even
for grateful uiterance, we felt the pulsations of
our heart beating less wildly, as we were COM
forted with the thought that there were still
left US stranger-fiiends to care for US, though
our loved ones were sleeping low in the grave.
We know we'll the value Of kind words. We
have tested their power upon weary heart, in
sad and troubled hours. There is a magic
spell, in soft and gentle words! We who have
felt their Influence should never forget the
chord it awakened in our own hearis-should
same rich music.
Now and then, there are plants that spring
into greater vigor if the heavy pressure Of a
footstep brushes them; bot, oh there are
earth. Thus it is with the human heart
Sometimes, though, surely we meet with
spirits strong 10 endure, with purpose mistaken
and high, following ever the true and the right,
whom nothing can daunt. If crushed to the
dust, they will rise again, and fling far from
them the bitter remembrance of the past, go on
their way unmurmuring, with stronger faith
and more perfect trust. But oftene. we meet
with gentle spirits, who, like the frail flowers
Of the early sprng-time, can scarcely bear the
pearls Of the light dew. Then let us ever
speak kindly. This world of ours is full of
sorrowing ones who have need of sympathy
A smile, word may cheer them on their way.
Speak kindly to the young. Oh, cast not
cloud DER chldhood's hours. Enough oc sor-
row will come by and by TO sadden the spirit,
and we do wrong if we cherish not the fresh
young heart in its joyousness and purity.
Speak kindly to the old. Soothing words
cost US nothing, and they fall like blessing
upon theycars Of the aged Never, Oh never,
pass them by with careless, slight cold
tone. Never forget that the sunshine of their
life is past, that there are few flowers left for
them TO gather, that they are worn and weary.
Speak kindly to the orphaned ones. They
have need Of sympathy, for around their path
way dark clouds have gathered. The chain
that bound their household bond is severed. -
The hearlh-stone around which they were wont
to cluster is desolate. -
Ere their loved ones passed away, there
were harp-strings vibrating for them alone
Now, they have only the echo of rich music
past. Then speak gently, speak soothingy to
the orphan
Speak kindly TO the invalid. Ye may not
know how slowly the weary hours pass by,
when health and strength are gone. Ye may
rot know how one by one lle's joys decay,
and It's hopes go out mid its heightened strife
Then give kind words to the invalid Ones
They will be TO them bright sunbeams 10 their
shaded path, soft rays Of moonlight in their
light Of life, and Tins their faith in The good
and beautiful will be strengthened, and their
hours of pain seem less wearsome. .a
Speak kindly TO the srauger-and let it
matter not whether he be rich or poor-speak
kindly, even though he seem naughty and cold.
Every hean hath its burden Of care every
heart hath lis bitterness, and we mav not know
The depth Of feeling struggling within the soul.
Gentle words may touch the hearth-they cost
nothing
Let us speak kindly erer-not TO the loved
ones only but 10 all who may chance 10 cume
within our pathway. Let US cherish well the
magic power Of soft low tone. 1t will bring
around Us loving hearts.
Let sympathy for Earth's sadlened ones
gush from the soul all pure and free, and thus
the good we might do here will not be marred
by harsh words Perchance we may cheer
one sorrowing sPirit-bind up one breaking
heart-dry one tear, and then we shall not
have lived in vain