The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-04-18
Little Folks Missions.

A great deal that is good and beauti-
full has been written about the missions
of both great and small, but this will be
just little plain, matter-offa talk
about work-work for the little people.
OF course, different children have
different work, but one thing is certain,
they all have work to do. 1t may be
Winding baby, it may be splitting
wood, or any other of the one thousand
and one little things that are always
waiting for some little girl or boy. But
whatever it is, do it we'll
All children know how much pleasure
it is to see mammals and papa's faces
wearing bright, happy smile, than to
see them looking worried and anxious,
but perhaps they don't think how much
they have to do with it.
Little folks cannot appreciate all the
cares and responsibilities that fall on
their parents shoulders, but they can
and should know that their little fingers
tighten wonderfully the batch of duties
that always cucumber household.
Then, little folks, if you see mamma is
very busy and hardly knows which way
to turn first, you quietly take the dust
pan and brush and sweep down the
stairs, or dust the furniture, or rock the
baby, but DO whatever you do quietly ::
don't bother mother with questions
about this, that and the other, until she
would find it easier to DO the work her.
self, but cheerfully and well, do what
ever you see you can do, and then just
notice if there isn't wonderfully bright
smile on her face all day.
Not only is this applicable to mother,
but to father as well. Willing hands
and nimble feet can save many step
and do lots of little things for his COM
fort when he comes home tired to sup
per.
children in particular, but to all in gen
eral, and we know there are many, too
many, children who have no mother, or
no father, or still worse, neither, this
would not be applicable to ALL But
there is always some one who would be
better for these little acts of kindness,
and be sure of one thing, little folks, the
bright light you are radiating will never
be lost, but will be reflected to you with
increased brightness. Do you know of
any one particularly sour or grabbed,
that is just the place where the sunlight
of your hearts is most needed. Remem-
Der that he or she was once happy
child like you, but travelling by thorny
ways and over stony roads has tired and
shriveled up the heart that found life
too hard, and think how little sun
shine will warm and cheer it. We none
of us know what is waiting further
on, and no doubt, had we the same ex-
perience, our faces would be no more
smiling than those we are ready to de-
nounce so let us lose no opportunity to
do any little service, be it ever 50 trivial,
lest another chance might not be offered,
and the load we might have lightened,
be only heavier and harder to carry, for
our neglect.
Then, little folks, whatever you have
to do, whether go to school, or work at
home, or abroad, know that that is your
mission, and learn all you can, do your
work and do it well, striving to please
those with whom you have to deal, and
then you may be sure you are doing
right.
1t is a common thing to ask children
what they will do when they are men
and women, but you ask yourselves what
You are doing now, for while you are
performing these little missions, you are
acquiring habits of industry and teach
ing your hearts lessons of love and kind
ness.